Hertford: 01992 940 955Enfield Town: 0208 059 0311
    Get a Valuation
    Logo
    LogoLogo

    New Home Hubs

    Hertford

    e: herts@lanesexclusivehomes.co.uk
    t: 01992 940955
    Get in touch

    Enfield Town

    e: london@lanesexclusivehomes.co.uk
    t: 0208 059 0311
    Get in touch

    Home/News/7 realistic rental tips if you’re moving for a school place

    7 realistic rental tips if you’re moving for a school place

    about 4 years ago
    Lettings
    7 realistic rental tips if you’re moving for a school place

    Whether you think it is ethical or not, many families choose a rental property and time their move to put them in a favourable position when applying for schools. 

    The admissions process for both primary and secondary places is based around a set criteria and although the distance from your home to the school gates isn’t at the top, it often counts when a school is oversubscribed. 

    There is, therefore, much manoeuvring and jostling ahead of the application deadlines, with parents desperate to secure the right address before they fill out the form. For many, buying a property within the catchment of the best schools can be impossible in terms of cost and timings.  

    Property sales can take up to four months to reach completion once an offer has been made (and longer in more complex circumstances), which leaves parents at risk of missing the application deadline. Plus, properties closest to the best schools often carry a price premium.

    An alternative is to move into rented accommodation, as the set-up costs are a fraction of the costs involved in buying and the entire moving process, from a viewing to collecting the keys, can be concluded in a matter of days, if the tenancy is straightforward.

    There are, however, a number of serious points to consider if you are thinking of renting a property with the specific aim of applying for a school place. Here is our list of top 7 tips and hints:-

    1.     Check a school’s catchment area before you start your property search: sometimes the catchment will be an irregular shape and not a circle, so the house right next door to the school may still be out of catchment. Some schools only take from certain parishes or postcodes, while others adjust their catchment every year, based on the volume of applications.
    2.     Establish the application closing dates: the Government’s official school application website states the primary school application process opens in September and closes on 15 January. When it comes to places at secondary schools, the deadline for applying is 31 October.
    3.     Rent a property well in advance: local councils do have rules about families whose moving timings are suspicious. They may want proof that you have lived in a rental property for a minimum period before you apply for a school place, so ensure you are moved in well before the closing date.
    4.     Don’t assume a buy-to-let address counts: there have been cases where families have used the address of a buy-to-let property they own that falls within a school’s catchment on the application form. A local council will want an owner-occupier address on the form and could send an officer to the property to check the status of the person living there.
    5.     Be mindful of a short let: the most popular of schools are hot when it comes to parents who take out a short let agreement just to have an address within their catchment. They may not accept applications where the tenancy length is six months or less, unless the family can prove all ties with their previous property have been cut.
    6.     Be prepared to evidence your move: if you have started renting a property quite close to the school application deadline, be prepared to provide your local authority’s admissions department. You’ll need a solicitor’s letter confirming you have sold a prior residence or proof that you have given notice on your current rented property, plus a signed copy of the new tenancy agreement, together with the start date.
    7.     Stick to the rules: if there is a suspicion that a local council’s application rules have been broken and no validation or proof of a legitimate address is provided, the school application could be declared void.

    Our local knowledge will help you choose the right rental with a favoured school in mind. Talk to us about timings and availability today.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    5 reasons why buy-to-let is getting a boost

    5 reasons why buy-to-let is getting a boost

    Published over 1 year ago

    Buy-to-let has always been seen as a safe long-term investment strategy but over the last few years, the landscape has changed dramatically. As we move our way through 2024, however, the buy-to-let benefits are once again aligning. Here are five reasons property investment should be on your radar this year.

    Read More
    Leasehold reform formally confirmed as a Bill

    Leasehold reform formally confirmed as a Bill

    Published almost 2 years ago

    On 7th November 2023, the King’s Speech marked the opening of a new session of Parliament. In his first address of this nature, King Charles III announced the Government’s key priorities for the year ahead and with a General Election expected within the next 12 months, the contents were hotly anticipated.

    Read More
    S21 eviction ban delayed before the Renters’ Reform Bill’s second reading

    S21 eviction ban delayed before the Renters’ Reform Bill’s second reading

    Published almost 2 years ago

    We have been charting the progress of the Renters’ Reform Bill since it was announced in 2019 during Theresa May’s tenure as Prime Minister. In late October 2023, a little more progress was made and the Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons.   The timing was crucial for two reasons. Firstly, […]

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Quick Links 

    Land
    About us
    Why Buy A New Build?
    Contact

    Hertford Hub 

    2 Market Street,
    Hertford
    SG14 1BD
    t: 01992 940955
    Email us

    Enfield Town Hub 

    7 Savoy Parade,
    Southbury Road,
    Enfield EN1 1RT
    t: 0208 059 0311
    Email us

    OnTheMarket
    RightMove
    ThePropertyOmbudsman
    Logo
    Logo
    © 2025 Lanes Exclusive Homes
    Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Complaints Procedure|TPOS
    Powered by