Most renters budget for the deposit and first month's rent. Then the real costs start arriving. Holding deposits, referencing fees that shouldn't be charged but sometimes are, utility setup, mail redirection, cleaning the old place, furnishing the new one. Moving into a UK rental in 2026 costs significantly more than the headline figures suggest.
Here's every cost you should plan for, what's legally required, what's optional, and what you can reduce.
The upfront costs you can't avoid
These are the costs that stand between you and the keys. Every one of them must be paid before or at move-in.
| Cost | Amount | When it's due | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holding deposit | Up to 1 week's rent | When you commit to a property | Deducted from first payment or returned |
| Tenancy deposit | Up to 5 weeks' rent | Before or at move-in | Protected in a government scheme |
| First month's rent | 1 month | Move-in day | Always due in advance |
At the average UK rent of £1,383/month (ONS, May 2026), these three costs alone add up to approximately £3,580. In London at £2,294/month, the total is closer to £5,930.
| Monthly rent | Holding deposit | Tenancy deposit | First month | Total upfront |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £800/month | £185 | £923 | £800 | £1,908 |
| £1,000/month | £231 | £1,154 | £1,000 | £2,385 |
| £1,383/month (UK avg) | £319 | £1,596 | £1,383 | £3,298 |
| £1,500/month | £346 | £1,731 | £1,500 | £3,577 |
| £2,000/month | £462 | £2,308 | £2,000 | £4,770 |
| £2,294/month (London avg) | £530 | £2,647 | £2,294 | £5,471 |
Can't cover the full deposit?
Deposit Share can cover up to 85% of your tenancy deposit on day one, while the landlord still receives the full protected amount. If the upfront total is the barrier, this is worth looking into before you rule out a property.
The costs most people forget
These don't appear on any tenancy agreement, but they hit your bank account in the first four weeks of a new tenancy.
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional clean (old property) | £150 to £350 | Often required to get your previous deposit back in full |
| Van hire or removal service | £80 to £600 | Depends on distance and volume. Man-and-van is cheapest. |
| Mail redirection (Royal Mail) | £35 to £69 | 3 months (£35), 6 months (£48), 12 months (£69) |
| Council tax overlap | £0 to £200+ | If your old and new tenancy dates overlap, you may owe council tax on both |
| Utility setup and final bills | £50 to £150 | Final meter reads at old property plus new account setup |
| Broadband installation | £0 to £60 | Free with many contracts but some charge for engineer visits |
| TV Licence transfer | £0 | Free to transfer, but remember to update the address |
| Locksmith (optional) | £80 to £150 | Some tenants change locks on move-in. Ask landlord permission first. |
Total hidden costs typically range from £400 to £1,200 depending on your situation. Combined with the upfront tenancy costs, a renter on the UK average rent should budget £4,000 to £4,800 for a move.
Furnishing: the cost nobody talks about
If you're moving into an unfurnished property, or moving out of a furnished one and need to buy your own things for the first time, furnishing costs can rival the deposit itself.
| Item | Budget option | Mid-range | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattress + bed frame | £150 to £250 | £400 to £700 | IKEA, Facebook Marketplace, Argos |
| Sofa | £100 to £200 | £400 to £800 | IKEA, Dunelm, second-hand |
| Fridge-freezer | £180 to £250 | £300 to £500 | Currys, AO, refurbished |
| Washing machine | £200 to £280 | £350 to £500 | Currys, AO, refurbished |
| Basics (cookware, bedding, towels) | £100 to £200 | £250 to £400 | Primark Home, IKEA, TK Maxx |
| Desk and chair (if WFH) | £60 to £120 | £200 to £400 | IKEA, second-hand office furniture |
A budget furnishing of a 1-bed flat typically costs £800 to £1,500. Mid-range is £2,000 to £3,500. Second-hand and marketplace buying can cut these numbers by 40% to 60%.
Costs that landlords cannot legally charge
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 banned most letting fees in England. If a landlord or agent tries to charge any of the following, they are breaking the law.
- Viewing fees
- Tenancy setup or administration fees
- Referencing fees (the landlord or agent must pay these, not you)
- Check-in or inventory fees
- Renewal fees for extending or continuing a tenancy
- Any charge for a guarantor arrangement set up by the agent
The only permitted payments are: rent, the tenancy deposit (capped at 5 weeks), a holding deposit (capped at 1 week), early termination charges (if agreed in the contract), default fees for lost keys or late rent (capped at reasonable cost), and changes to the tenancy requested by the tenant (capped at £50).
How to reduce the total cost of moving
- Use Deposit Share to reduce your upfront deposit cost by up to 85%
- Time your move to avoid council tax overlap. End your old tenancy on the last day of the month and start the new one on the first.
- Buy second-hand furniture from Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and local charity shops. Quality items appear constantly, especially in September when students leave.
- Compare broadband deals before you move. Many providers offer free installation and cashback on new connections.
- Set up a moving budget spreadsheet before you commit to a property. If the total cost exceeds what you have available, you'll know before you've paid a holding deposit, not after.
The bottom line
At the average UK rent of £1,383/month, the total cost of moving into a rental in 2026 ranges from £4,000 (furnished, no major purchases) to £6,500+ (unfurnished, including basic furniture). In London at £2,294/month, the range is £5,800 to £9,000+.
The gap between what people expect to pay and what they actually pay is where most moves go wrong. Budgeting for the full picture, not just the deposit, is the difference between a smooth move and a financially stressful one.