My partner and I are moving from Spain to the UK (Oxford) because I got a job there and I’ll start in a couple of weeks. However, I’ve spent two weeks searching for accommodation in Oxford by contacting local letting agents (over 15) and posting to sites such as GumTree, and no-one has ever gotten back to me. Thus, I’d really appreciate if you could let me know if I am doing anything wrong:

- We offer to pay up to 825 GBP pcm (I haven’t disclosed this, but it’s 1/3 of my salary, which is common in the UK as far as I know).
- We can pay the deposit (we’re even willing to pay more than the average deposit of 1.5 or 2 months).
- We can pay the agent’s fee.
- Before the day we intend to move, I can go to Oxford to see the property and sign the contract.
- We have references (none in the UK, though).
- We can provide them with all the documents they need, even translated into English where necessary.
- If necessary, I can also ask my employer to provide them with any information they need about my position (e.g., salary).
- We’re nonsmokers and have no children and no pets.
- We’re open to any contract length.

With all the above, I repeat, no-one has gotten back to me. From all the documents I’ve read about lettings in the UK, I have to say things are quite different from Spain and I might be doing something wrong. But I don’t know what.

We’re not even picky about the property. I just said we prefer a property in/near Summertown. The only requirement we have is that it should be in Oxford… There’s no other requirement. In fact, we’ve started to consider properties outside Oxford and even Oxfordshire.

I’ve even gotten in touch with the City Council (at housingneeds at oxford dot gov dot uk) last week to ask for some advice, and I’m still waiting for a response.

I honestly don’t know what else to do. So, please let me know if you think I’m doing something wrong. I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!