Your guide to renting in Southampton

For working professionals and company lets, six to eight weeks before your move is a good time to start.

To reserve a home, you pay a holding deposit of up to one week’s rent. For a shared tenancy, this limit covers the whole property. We normally have 15 days to agree the tenancy, unless we agree extra time in writing.

Your holding deposit is normally refundable. It can only be kept for the reasons allowed by law, which we explain in our application guide. Where a refund is due, the usual deadline is seven days. With your agreement, we can put it towards your tenancy deposit or first rent once the agreement is signed.

Please complete your and your guarantor’s reference forms within 24 hours if possible. This is our turnaround target, not a legal deadline—tell us if you need more time. Once your references are accepted, the remaining tenancy deposit is normally due within 24 hours.

Your tenancy deposit is capped at five weeks’ rent, or six weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 or more. It must be protected in an approved scheme within 30 days, and you’ll receive the required deposit information.

For a usual private tenancy, you won’t be asked to pay rent before both sides have signed. After signing and before you move in, the limit is normally one month’s rent—or 28 days if you pay weekly.

A guarantor agrees to cover your rent if you cannot pay. We may ask for one if your income or references need extra support. For students, we usually ask for a UK-based homeowner with an annual income of 35 times your monthly share of the rent. This is our usual affordability check, not a legal rule.

Don’t have someone who fits? Talk to us. We can discuss other income evidence, including pensions and self-employed earnings, or an independent company guarantor if the landlord accepts one. A company guarantor may charge its own fee, but you don’t have to use a particular provider.

Before signing, your guarantor should check what they’re agreeing to cover and for how long. In a shared tenancy, their guarantee may cover more than just your share of the rent.

Pay your rent on time, look after your home and be considerate of your neighbours. Follow your tenancy agreement and check which bills you need to pay, including utilities, council tax and any TV licence. We’ll help if you’re unsure.

If we manage your home, contact us about repairs or tenancy questions. If we only arranged the letting, your landlord handles these. We’ll tell you who to contact when you move in.