In your first week in the UK, do not try to solve everything at once. The clean order is: secure your accommodation, document the condition of the property, get a reliable UK phone number, organise address evidence, start banking, register with a GP, plan transport, then handle Council Tax and bills. Keep screenshots, photos and emails because the same evidence often gets reused.
This guide is for students and new arrivals handling UK settlement tasks after they already have permission to come to the UK. It is not visa, legal or medical advice. Always check the official page and the requirements from your university, landlord, council or GP surgery before submitting anything.
Day 0: check the essentials before unpacking
Before settling in, confirm:
- keys, entry fobs, mailbox and bins;
- Wi-Fi access and emergency contacts;
- heating, hot water, electricity, water and gas;
- visible damage to the room, furniture, walls, floor and windows.
Photograph or record problems immediately, then send them to the landlord, agent or accommodation team in writing.
1. Photograph move-in evidence
Capture:
- front door and room number;
- every room from multiple angles;
- walls, floor, windows, furniture and appliances;
- bathroom and kitchen fixtures;
- electricity, gas and water meter readings;
- stains, scratches, damp, cracks or broken fittings.
If you receive an inventory report, compare it against your own evidence and raise disagreements in writing as soon as possible.
2. Check deposit protection
In England and Wales, if your tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy, your landlord or agent usually needs to protect your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days of receiving it and provide the required information.
Save your:
- deposit payment receipt;
- tenancy agreement;
- deposit protection certificate or scheme email;
- prescribed information from the landlord or agent.
Student halls and some licence-style accommodation may work differently, so ask for written clarification if you are unsure.
3. Secure a UK phone number
A UK number affects banking apps, GP forms, deliveries, university systems and two-factor authentication.
Common routes:
- use a pre-arrival eSIM or roaming plan temporarily;
- buy a Pay As You Go SIM after arrival;
- switch to a monthly contract after your address is stable.
Keep a note of the provider, plan, renewal date and support route.
4. Build an address evidence folder
Gather:
- tenancy or accommodation agreement;
- enrolment letter, student status letter or bank letter from your university;
- letters from a bank, council, NHS provider or mobile operator;
- written confirmation from your landlord or accommodation provider.
Acceptance standards vary, so check each organisation before submitting the same document everywhere.
5. Start banking
Some bank accounts require address evidence, so begin with research and appointments:
- use a low-friction digital account as a temporary option if suitable;
- book a current account or student account with a high-street bank;
- prepare passport, visa evidence, student/employment proof and UK address material;
- avoid keeping all funds in one card or one account.
If an application is refused, ask whether the issue is identity, address, credit history or document format before trying again.
6. Register with a GP
The NHS says registering with a GP surgery in England is free. The public guidance says you are asked for basic details such as name, date of birth and address, and that you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register. A surgery may sometimes ask for extra details for other reasons, such as transferring records or confirming responsibility for a child.
Steps:
- search for GP surgeries near your postcode;
- prioritise surgeries accepting new patients and offering online registration;
- submit the online or paper form;
- save confirmation;
- if refused, ask for the reason in writing.
For emergencies or life-threatening situations, follow NHS emergency guidance rather than waiting for a GP appointment.
7. Prepare for NHS App access
You may not be able to use every NHS App feature immediately, but prepare:
- a stable UK mobile number;
- an email address you check;
- passport or identity document;
- details from your successful GP registration.
GP registration, NHS App access and hospital systems can take time to sync.
8. Choose transport without overbuying
In London, contactless bank cards, Apple Pay or a standard Oyster card can cover short-term travel. If you are a student commuting in London, compare whether the 18+ Student Oyster photocard helps with your actual tickets. It is mainly relevant to discounted Travelcards and Bus & Tram Passes, so it is not automatically cheaper for every journey.
If you often travel by train, compare railcards against your routes and frequency before buying.
9. Check Council Tax
GOV.UK explains that households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay Council Tax, and if a bill arrives you can apply for an exemption. Course length and weekly study hours matter.
In week one:
- identify your local council;
- confirm whether everyone in the household is a full-time student;
- request a Council Tax student certificate from your university if needed;
- save the Council Tax bill or account reference;
- apply through the council’s own form.
Mixed households, partners, interruptions of study and short courses can change the result.
10. Create a UK life document folder
Use folders such as:
- Identity;
- Housing;
- Banking;
- NHS;
- Bills;
- Travel.
Name files with dates, for example 2026-09-14-tenancy-agreement.pdf.
11. Put 30-day deadlines in your calendar
Track:
- deposit protection information;
- rent dates;
- meter reading submission;
- GP or bank appointments;
- university registration tasks;
- Council Tax exemption follow-ups.
Do not rely on chat history alone.
12. What can wait
These can usually wait until your address and routine are clearer:
- long mobile contracts;
- large furniture purchases;
- multiple credit products;
- fixed broadband contracts;
- expensive annual travel products;
- updating every account address at once.
Choose flexible options first, then optimise later.
Common mistakes
- Not photographing the property thoroughly on move-in day.
- Buying long contracts before your commute or address is stable.
- Giving up on GP registration after a verbal refusal.
- Assuming all students are automatically exempt from Council Tax.
- Leaving key documents scattered across messages, emails and photo albums.
FAQ
Can I register with a GP without proof of address?
The NHS public guidance says you do not need proof of address, ID or immigration status to register with a GP surgery. If a surgery asks for extra information, ask why; if they refuse registration, ask for the reason in writing.
Is Council Tax exemption automatic for students?
Usually no. If your household qualifies but receives a bill, you normally need to apply through your local council and provide student evidence.
When is paid help worth it?
Paid support is most useful when several tasks affect each other: housing evidence, bills, Council Tax, banking, GP registration and transport. One-off information searches are often manageable; sequencing multiple systems is where mistakes become costly.