U.S. Real Estate Agent/Property Manager/moving to UK

I have been researching this site for days now as I am about to leave the U.S. to move to the UK. The horror stories on housing is scary. It must be similar to U.S. California, meaning they must have renters rights and laws in the (State) within UK, I do not know the proper verbage but you know what I mean.

I will try to do some more research on your rights. Based on sveral stories some (as you call them) letting agents sound a bit discriminating towards Americans, or immigrants in general. To protect yourself from these nasty people, you must find out what their Fair Housing Laws are. (I hope there are some in place there). From there your tenant rights.

I know the laws in California, front and back. In the U.S. the private people I have found to be the wrost as they do not know the laws and treat tenants badly. Although California law is very much more towards tenant rights, than owner rights as so many tenants have been poorly mis treated those laws were necessary to protect them. If I find anything I will certainly post what I find here to halp as I will soon be in your situation.

I did some research to help and found this website strictly for     *  England
    * Scotland
    * Wales
    * Northern Ireland

They appear to be good, and it appears as though the laws are similiar to the what I know. Here is the site: http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-2932.cfm

Here is another site that appears to be very direct concerning frequently asked questions:
http://www.arla.co.uk/info/tenants.htm

Yet another good site:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/template/publicsite,help,guides,renting,SignTAgreement.vm

It appears as the laws in the UK are very, much the same. I hope this helps you.