Affordit guide
Before you rent your first flat
Important note
Affordit is designed to help you plan before you commit. It does not run a credit check, connect to your bank account, approve finance or provide regulated financial advice. Use it as general planning guidance to sense-check your numbers.
Checklist before you commit
- Upfront costs
- Monthly costs
- Bills
- Transport
- Furniture
- Emergency buffer
- Questions to ask before signing
- Red flags
Red flags
- Deposit wipes out savings
- Bills are unknown
- The contract is unclear
- You cannot cover furniture basics
- No buffer remains
Questions to ask yourself
- Do I understand the full upfront cost?
- Does the monthly cost still leave room for essentials?
- Have I included hidden or ongoing costs?
- Would the plan still work if income or bills changed?
- Will I still have an emergency buffer after committing?
Example scenario
A £800 rent can require £800 first rent, £800 deposit, £250 setup costs and higher transport costs before the monthly budget settles.
How Affordit helps
Affordit helps you compare the headline cost with your savings, income, regular costs, monthly contribution and timeline before you commit. It does not run credit checks or make approval decisions.
Common questions
What should I check before committing?
Check the upfront cost, monthly cost, ongoing costs, hidden costs, timing, emergency buffer and what happens if your income or bills change.
What if the plan only just works?
If the plan only works when everything goes perfectly, it may be too tight. Consider lowering the cost, extending the timeline or building more savings first.
Can Affordit make the decision for me?
No. Affordit gives practical planning guidance based on the numbers you enter. It does not provide regulated financial advice.
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Last reviewed: June 2026