Deposit, inventory, bills and house rules to confirm before you move into a UK room share.
You have seen the room and you want to move in. A few checks now save arguments later about the deposit, the bills and what “furnished” included.
Before you pay
- Confirm the rent, how often it is paid, and which bills you pay on top.
- Agree the deposit amount and who holds it. Ask for a receipt.
- Write down the move-in date and the earliest date you can leave.
- Get the full name of the person you are paying, and pay them directly rather than a stranger who “handles it”.
On move-in day
- Photograph the room, including marks, the mattress and any appliances that are yours to use.
- Test keys, heating, hot water and Wi-Fi.
- Note anything missing that was in the listing, such as a desk or a wardrobe.
- Ask how post, bins and guests work in that house.
Living there
House rules are easier to follow when they are written down: smoking, overnight guests, cleaning the kitchen, and quiet hours. If a bill is shared, ask how the split is calculated and when it is due.
A RoomNest viewing request only books a time to look. The tenancy, the deposit and the move-in are agreed with the landlord afterwards. If the room or the household is not what was described, you can walk away before you pay.