10 minute read
Key points
- Start with an affordability check: we look for annual income of at least 30 times the monthly rent, and Universal Credit and PIP count.
- Always view the room in person before you apply or pay anything.
- Have photo ID, proof of your right to rent, income evidence and a landlord reference ready.
- At North Point there is no holding deposit and no tenant fees, and money is only due once you have signed.
- A room is a rolling monthly tenancy with no end date, and you give two months' notice in writing.
- Walk away from anyone asking for cash, a payment before a viewing or fees the law bans.
This guide is for anyone looking for a room to rent in Tameside, from first time renters in Ashton-under-Lyne to people relocating for work to Stalybridge or Hyde. The steps are similar with most agents, and we explain what North Point does at each one so you know what to expect from us.
How to rent a room: the process from search to keys
Renting a room follows the same pattern almost everywhere. If you know the steps, you can spot an agent who skips one. This is how it works with North Point, and what you do at each stage.
| Step | What you do | What North Point does |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Enquire | Pick a room and tell us what you need. | Answers your questions and asks a few quick ones. |
| 2. Pre-screen | Share your job and income. | Checks affordability before any viewing. |
| 3. View | See the room and the shared spaces. | Shows you round ourselves. |
| 4. Apply | Fill in the application form after the viewing. | Sends the form if the room suits you. |
| 5. Referencing | Provide ID and income evidence. | Runs Right to Rent, a landlord reference and last of all a credit check. |
| 6. Sign | Sign the tenancy agreement online. | Sends a digital agreement, with no fees. |
| 7. Move in | Pay your first month and deposit, collect your keys. | Protects your deposit and gives you the safety paperwork. |
It all goes more smoothly when your documents are ready. Our referencing and affordability guide covers steps 2 and 5 in more depth.
Where can you find a room to rent in Tameside?
Start with agents who list the actual room, the actual rent and what the rent includes. Tameside has a mix of town centre and quieter residential options.
- Ashton-under-Lyne. Stamford Square and Henrietta Street are close to the town centre, with Stamford Square near the tram and train station.
- Hyde. Dukinfield Road has rooms with their own shower rooms and an open plan kitchen and lounge.
- Stalybridge. Norman Road is a licensed six room house close to the station.
If you work at the hospital, see rooms near Tameside Hospital. On our rooms page let rooms are greyed out, and you can register your interest to hear first when one comes up.
What does it cost to rent a room? Money due at signing
Costs should be clear before you apply. Here is a worked example using a £700 a month room, the price shown on our rooms page at the time of writing.
| Item | When you pay | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Holding deposit | Not charged | £0 |
| Referencing and admin fees | Banned by law | £0 |
| Deposit (two weeks' rent) | After signing | £323.08 |
| First month's rent | After signing | £700.00 |
| Total to move in | £1,023.08 |
The deposit sum is 700 x 12 = £8,400 a year, divided by 52 weeks = £161.54 a week, and two weeks is £323.08. The legal cap is five weeks, about £807.69, so two weeks is well inside it. Bills are included, so there are no extra accounts to open.
What the law lets a landlord charge
Only rent, a deposit, a holding deposit and a few specific costs such as lost keys or late rent interest are allowed under the Tenant Fees Act 2019. No rent can be taken before both sides sign. Between signing and moving in, no more than one month can be asked for, and the first month cannot be bigger than the others. See our room rental costs and fees guide for more.
What documents do you need to rent a room?
Having your paperwork ready is the quickest way to speed things up. Here is a documents to rent a room checklist.
- Photo ID. A passport or other photo identity document.
- Proof of your right to rent. Needed for every adult, British citizens included. This is an original document seen with you, a Home Office online check with a share code, or an approved digital identity provider.
- Proof of income. Recent payslips, an employer reference or, if self employed, accounts. If you receive Universal Credit or PIP, bank statements showing it count.
- A landlord reference. From your current or previous landlord. If you have never rented, tell us at the start and ask what we can accept instead.
- Guarantor details. Only if your income falls short and you want to use one.
Right to Rent is checked the same way for everyone. A credit check is not a Right to Rent check, and neither replaces the other. The official rules are in the Right to Rent code of practice.
First time renter: how does referencing work?
As a first time renter, you may worry about being turned down. At North Point we welcome all applicants and check affordability the same way for everyone. We never refuse because you have children or receive benefits.
- Affordability check. Before a viewing, we look for annual income of at least 30 times the monthly rent. For a £700 room that is 30 x 700 = £21,000 a year.
- Right to Rent. Photo ID and a check for every adult.
- Landlord reference. From your current or previous landlord.
- Credit check. The last step, once everything else is in place.
What if your income is short?
A guarantor can be used. The guarantor test is three times the annual rent, so for the same room 3 x 8,400 = £25,200 a year. Your guarantor will need to show their own income. Read the full affordability guide for more examples.
Room to rent viewing checklist: what to check and ask
A viewing is your chance to look properly. Take your phone, take your time and go through this room to rent viewing checklist.
| Check | What to look for or ask |
|---|---|
| The room | Size, bed, storage, windows and signs of damp or mould. |
| Shared spaces | Is the kitchen clean and big enough? How many bathrooms are there? |
| Bills | Which are included, and in writing? |
| Safety | Working smoke alarms, clear exits and a gas safety record you can see. |
| Housemates | Who lives here now, and what are the house rules? |
| Licence | Is the house licensed, and by which council? |
| Repairs | Who fixes things, and how fast? |
| Money | Rent, deposit and scheme, with no fees. |
| Leaving | Notice period and how your deposit is returned. |
On repairs, we say emergencies are made safe within 24 hours, urgent jobs are done within 3 working days and routine jobs within 20 working days. Our repairs policy has the detail.
Red flags when renting a room
- Pay first, view later. Never pay anything before you have seen the room in person.
- Cash or personal accounts. A proper agent gives you a clear payment route and a receipt.
- Extra fees. Charges for referencing, admin or check in are banned.
- Bidding. Adverts must show a fixed rent, and no one can ask for more.
- No agreement. If you cannot see the tenancy terms before paying, walk away.
- A locked in period. Tenancies are now rolling, so anyone insisting you are tied in for months is wrong.
- Pressure. Genuine rooms can wait for your questions.
- Refusing on children or benefits. That is unlawful discrimination.
What should you check in the tenancy agreement before you sign?
Your agreement must contain a written statement of terms. Read these items closely: the rent and when it is due, whether bills are in the rent, the deposit amount, how much notice you give, your landlord's address for notices, and how repairs work.
For a room, expect a rolling monthly (periodic) tenancy with no end date. You give two months' notice in writing, and an email counts. A landlord cannot require more than that. The deposit goes into a protected scheme, and you must be given the prescribed information within 30 days of the landlord receiving it, under section 213 of the Housing Act 2004. Our house share tenant rights guide covers your rights afterwards.
What happens on move in day?
Before you move in, you should receive the current gas safety record and the electrical report. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be working on day one, so test them. Keys are handed over once the agreement is signed and your money has arrived.
- Check the room. Compare it with the inventory and photograph anything marked or damaged.
- Read meters. If you pay any bill separately, photograph the reading.
- Learn the basics. Where the bins go, how to report a repair and what the emergency numbers are, all on the tenants page.
- Save your deposit details. Keep the prescribed information once it arrives.
Common mistakes first time renters make
- Not reading the agreement. Check bills, notice and deposit terms.
- Forgetting the cost of moving. Budget for removals, bedding and insurance.
- Leaving documents until late. Rooms go quickly, so prepare your paperwork first.
- Assuming a guarantor is automatic. Ask whether the agent accepts one.
- Not photographing the room. Dated photos protect your deposit later.
Ready to rent a room in Tameside? Your next steps
Look at the rooms we have free in Ashton-under-Lyne, Hyde and Stalybridge, then ask us anything before you commit. If you are after a whole unfurnished property instead, see our homes to let. For what is covered by the rent, read our guide to what is included in a house share.
