Issues getting on a lease before VAF4a approval?

Hi! I'll be moving to England in May after our VAF4a is approved. We were married in the US 2 weeks ago and are thinking next about finding our new home.

Should we expect there to be any issues with getting my name on a lease there before the visa is approved? I don't know if the process for renting is different than in the US. Should we just try to have it in my husbands name to avoid any issues?


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I believe landlords are required to check your visa and immigration status to make sure you have permisssion to live in the UK before they can rent to you, so it's unlikely that you will be able to get a lease as a visitor in the UK, since visitors aren't allowed to live here.

Best thing to do would be to get your spouse's name on a lease and then get the landlord to write a letter confirming that you will have permission to live there too and will be added to the lease once you have your spousal visa... And then include this for the accommodation evidence for your visa.


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Ok. Hoping I can get out there and we can find a house or flat before the VAF4A. My understanding is that if they get a letter from my husbands current landlord this will suffice even though we don't plan on my living there and he won't either by the time I move?


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As I understand it, the 'requirement' that landlords check immigration status before leasing to you becomes effective in April, 2016.

We had quite a bit of trouble finding a place to live from the States, but some of the difficulty was due to having a dog.  The 'leasing company wouldn't allow me to sign as I wasn't yet legally in the UK, and my wife couldn't lease on her own because she was not yet employed.  Even tried to give them a letter stating I was supporting her, but to no avail.

We eventually had to settle for a fairly expensive short-term rental in one of the suburban areas.

If you can find an individual who is leasing their property, it's a lot easier.  Check gumtree.com for these, but be a bit wary of scammers (scamming is much worse on craigslist).

As I understand it, the 'requirement' that landlords check immigration status before leasing to you becomes effective in April, 2016.

Some trial areas went live last year.

We had quite a bit of trouble finding a place to live from the States, but some of the difficulty was due to having a dog.  The 'leasing company wouldn't allow me to sign as I wasn't yet legally in the UK, and my wife couldn't lease on her own because she was not yet employed.  Even tried to give them a letter stating I was supporting her, but to no avail.

LAs and LLs know this new law is coming that will give LLs a fine (soon to be a jail sentence too under laws going through) and for obvious reasons area already checking the immigration status of those wanting to live in their property.