Student rental checklist - documents Taiwanese students need to rent in the UK

Are you looking for student housing and don’t know where to start? Benham and Reeves' local Taiwan team is here to help you every step of the way, from navigating the UK's legal checks to securing the right apartments.

The rental process in the UK involves a few checks that may be different from what you are used to at home. Having your passport, university documents, proof of funds and immigration details ready can make the process much easier.

More Taiwanese students are choosing the UK than ever before, making it one of Taiwan's fastest-growing study destinations outside the US and Australia. HESA data showed 4,380 students from Taiwan enrolled at UK institutions in the 2023/24 academic year.

With this level of growth comes real competition for housing. Prime London locations regularly see purpose-built student accommodation running above 97% occupancy.

Many properties are, in fact, fully booked months before the September intake. This is one of the crucial reasons to have your documents ready early.

The rental application roadmap

Understanding the rental steps upfront ensures you don’t miss out on prime student flats in London’s competitive areas. Our first step is to help you look for the perfect apartment before you even travel from Taiwan.

We can schedule a virtual tour on our website to preview furnished apartments remotely, fill out an offer form and guide you with the registration process.

Your landlord will conduct a ‘Right to Rent’ check. This legal check is required of every UK landlord before handing over keys to tenants. They need to confirm that every adult tenant has the legal right to reside in the UK.

This is usually done by checking your visa status online through a UKVI share code: a standard, straightforward step.

Once completed, you can collect your key. If you are not yet in London, you can arrange for someone else to pick up the keys for you.

Once in the UK, collect a Bank Letter from your university to open a local bank account.

Application documents

To register and place your offer on an apartment, gather these essential identification, academic and financial documents:

Valid passport

A clear colour scan of your passport details page.

Proof of student status

University offer letter (conditional or unconditional).

You can also present Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) instead.

Proof of funds/income

Three to six months of bank statements from your or a parent's account.

Parent guarantee/support letter if your parent is paying your rent.

Scholarship letter if your accommodation is being fully or partially funded by a grant or scholarship.

Guarantor certificate

As an international student, you can choose to utilise third-party guarantors like Housing Hand.

If not, we can help negotiate upfront rent payment structures directly with your landlord.

Proof of overseas address

The easiest way to prove your permanent residence in Taiwan is to apply for an English Taiwan Household Registration at any local District Household Registration Office.

Otherwise, you can provide a recent utility bill, bank statement or official Taiwanese ID.

Move-in documents

Present these documents to your landlord before receiving your keys:

UKVI share code

The UK has completely transitioned from physical BRP cards to eVisas.

This means that once your UK student visa is approved, you log into your online UKVI profile and generate a ‘share code’.

This is the document your landlord will use to complete your Right to Rent check.

Signed tenancy agreement

Carefully read over and sign your contract.

Check rent, deposit, term, bills and notice period.

Post move-in documents

Once you have secured your rental, immediately prepare these documents:

Council Tax Exemption Certificate

Download from your university student portal and submit to the local borough council (in case of failure, you can be heavily billed)

Why choose Benham and Reeves Taiwan?

Finding an affordable, high-quality home for your child overseas does not need to be stressful. Our team chooses high-quality student apartments that provide comfort, safety and convenience.

Situated in prime, easily accessible locations with excellent transit connectivity to major universities, most of the modern developments we present feature 24-hour security for complete peace of mind. They are fully furnished with beds, desks and appliances.

Our flexible lease terms align with your child’s academic calendar, ensuring you don't pay more than necessary. As an established property specialist with local offices in Taiwan and the UK, you can rely on us to support you and your rental needs. With Taiwanese student numbers in the UK rising, planning ahead with a local team on your side is increasingly necessary and helpful.

Ready to secure your UK student accommodation? Let us handle the details for you.

Contact our Taipei office today to start your search.

FAQs

Why do I need a London property agent?

Most need one because navigating the UK rental landscape from Taiwan can be risky and time-consuming. An experienced agent offers remote security and viewing, rent negotiation and legal compliance.

How can I translate documents?

You can opt for a certified translation service or a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)-recognised translator.

What exactly is a ‘Right to Rent’ check?

It's a legal requirement under UK immigration law: before letting a property, a landlord must confirm that every adult occupier has permission to live in the UK. For students, this is usually done digitally. They can use the UKVI share code and date of birth.

Right to Rent check is a routine part of every UK tenancy, not something unique to international students. As long as your visa documents are in order, there's nothing to worry about.

If I don't have a UK-based guarantor, how many months of rent would I have to pay upfront?

Without a UK resident guarantor, landlords typically ask international students to pay 6 to 12 months of rent upfront. For a standard academic lease, paying 6 months in advance (or the full annual sum prior to key pickup) is standard practice across London and major UK university cities.

How much would a third-party guarantor like Housing Hand cost?

Housing Hand typically charges around 3.5% to 5.5% of your total annual rent or roughly equal to 3–4 weeks' worth of rent. You can pay the fee upfront or split it into monthly instalments.

They usually require a ‘co-signer ', who can be a parent in Taiwan who agrees to back you.

Will I still be exempt from council tax if my roommate isn't a student?

No, the property itself will no longer be 100% exempt. If living with one non-student adult, the property receives a 25% single-person discount instead of a 100% exemption.

If living with two or more non-students, the household gets no discount and must pay the full 100% Council Tax bill.