How to apply for a home to rent
Find a home you like, book a viewing, fill in the application online. A named agent references you, then signs you up. The only money up front is a 1-week refundable holding deposit, which comes off your first month’s rent.
From search to keys.
Find a home
Search by postcode, price, or commute. Save what you like.
Book a viewing
Pick a 15-min slot online. A real host meets you at the door.
Apply online
A 10-minute form. 1-week holding deposit holds the home — refundable. We send the application to the landlord.
Landlord reviews
The landlord decides within 24–48h. Referencing only starts after they accept — nothing on your record before then.
Reference, sign & move in
Once accepted, Canopy runs the references. You e-sign, pay the balance, and get the keys.
Three payments. In your numbers.
No admin, referencing or renewal fees — the Tenant Fees Act banned them, and we agree with it.
First month plus the deposit. This example credits the £184.61 holding deposit towards the rent.
Holding deposit
£184.61Can reserve the home while checks are carried out. If credited towards your first month, it reduces what you pay after signing.
First month’s rent
£615.39This example assumes the holding deposit is credited towards your first month.
Security deposit
£923.07The agent will confirm the actual amount and how it will be protected.
Example for a tenancy covered by England’s Tenant Fees Act. Confirm the actual costs with the agent before applying.
Referencing, before you apply.
The guide uses annual household income of 30× the monthly rent. Your entries stay in this browser.
Everyone on the tenancy counts. Guaranteed bonuses and regular overtime too.
Applying with someone else?
One joint tenancy, not separate ones. Incomes are added together, and you are jointly responsible for the rent.
Six things, and you are ready.
Missing paperwork is the only thing that reliably slows this down. Tick them off — the list remembers.
Working backwards from the day you move in.
Ask us before you pay us.
The four things renters worry about most — answered before you hand over a holding deposit, not after.
Two people. Named. Not a branch phone.
The same two people from the viewing to the keys — and their direct line, not a queue.
£1,723 up front,
then the keys are yours.
First month plus deposit, no fees on top. £923 of it comes back at the end.
What if I’ve had a CCJ or bad credit in the past?
Tell us upfront — we’d much rather know. Older CCJs (3+ years, settled) are usually fine. Anything recent or unsettled means we’ll likely need a UK-based guarantor on 36× the rent. We never reject silently; you’ll get a phone call to discuss options.
I’m self-employed — does that matter?
Not at all. We accept your last two years’ SA302s or tax returns, or six months of business bank statements if you’re newer than that. About a third of the tenants on our books are self-employed.
Can I rent with pets?
Yes — under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords have to consider every pet request and can’t unreasonably refuse. Use the "pets" toggle to filter homes, and tell us about your pet when you apply. A landlord can ask you to cover pet damage with insurance.
Do you accept Universal Credit / housing benefit?
Yes — many of our landlords do. We’ll never discriminate against you for receiving benefits (the law since the 2023 case). Affordability is assessed on total income, including benefits.
What if the landlord pulls out after my holding deposit is paid?
You get the holding deposit back in full, within 7 days. If we pulled the home off the market unfairly we cover any costs you’d incurred — referencing fees from other agencies, for example.
Can I move in faster than 11 days?
Yes — sometimes. If your references come back quickly and the property is empty, we’ve had move-ins inside a week. Tell your agent if you’ve got a hard date and they’ll work backwards from it.