Is Rent-to-Own Too Good to Be True or Is It Safe?

If you’ve spent any time trying to buy a home in the UK, you’ll know the feeling. You can afford the monthly cost, but the deposit feels impossible. So when you hear about rent-to-own, it can sound… suspicious.

“What’s the catch?”

“Is this just another housing scam?”

“If it worked, wouldn’t everyone be doing it?”

They’re fair questions. Rent-to-own isn’t as common as traditional renting or buying, and anything unfamiliar in property naturally raises eyebrows. The good news is that legitimate rent-to-own schemes do exist - but, like anything involving money and housing, you need to know what to look for.

Here’s how to tell whether a rent-to-own provider is genuine, safe, and operating properly and how Keyzy fits into that picture.

Why rent-to-own raises red flags in the first place

Rent-to-own sits in the grey space between renting and buying, which makes people cautious. Historically, some schemes have:

• been poorly regulated,
• had unclear contracts,
• or promised ownership without explaining the risks.

That doesn’t mean the model itself is unsafe. It just means transparency and structure matter a lot.

A genuine provider should never ask you to “just trust them”. They should be able to prove, in multiple ways, that they’re real, regulated, and accountable.

How to tell if a rent-to-own scheme is legitimate

1. Proper legal contracts no handshake deals

A legitimate rent-to-own arrangement will always be backed by formal legal agreements, prepared by qualified solicitors. You should expect:

• a clear tenancy agreement,
• a separate option or pathway explaining how buying works,
• written terms explaining what happens if you choose not to buy.

If anything feels vague, rushed, or verbal-only, that’s a warning sign. Property in the UK is paperwork-heavy for a reason.

With Keyzy, everything is set out contractually from the start, so you know exactly where you stand.

2. The company exists and you can check it

Any genuine UK property business should be registered with Companies House, with publicly available records.

Keyzy operates through Kollitom Ltd, which is:

• registered at Companies House,
• has named directors,
• and has a transparent corporate history you can independently verify.

If you can’t find a company, or the details don’t match what you’ve been told, walk away.

3. Membership of a redress scheme

This is a big one that often gets overlooked.

Reputable property companies are members of a government-approved redress scheme, such as:

• The Property Redress Scheme, or
• The Property Ombudsman.

These schemes exist to protect consumers and give you a formal route to complain if something goes wrong.

Keyzy is a member of the Property Redress Scheme, which means there’s external oversight and accountability not just internal promises.

4. A real, physical presence

Scams tend to hide behind websites and email addresses.

A legitimate provider should:

• have a physical UK address,
• be contactable by phone,
• and be open to real conversations.

Keyzy operates from a physical UK location and deals directly with customers throughout the process. If a company is impossible to reach once you ask detailed questions, that’s a red flag.

5. You can actually view properties

Another common warning sign is being shown “example homes” that don’t really exist.

A genuine rent-to-own provider should:

• offer real properties,
• allow viewings,
• and be clear about availability.

With Keyzy, customers choose from a selection of new-build homes that are genuinely available. Where there are multiple options, you can view them and decide what works for you.

If a company won’t let you see a property until you’ve paid fees, that’s not normal in the UK market.

So is rent-to-own safe?

Rent-to-own isn’t magic, and it isn’t right for everyone. But when it’s done properly, it can be a legitimate alternative for people who:

• can afford the monthly cost of a home,
• but aren’t yet able to buy outright,
• and want a clearer path than renting indefinitely.

The key difference between something that’s “too good to be true” and something that’s genuinely helpful is structure, regulation, and transparency.

If a provider:

• uses proper legal contracts,
• is registered and regulated,
• belongs to a redress scheme,
• has real people, real offices, and real homes,

then it’s not a shortcut or a scam it’s simply a different route to homeownership.

The bottom line

Healthy scepticism is a good thing, especially when it comes to housing. Anyone considering rent-to-own should ask questions, check registrations, and read the small print.

When those checks stack up, rent-to-own stops looking like a trick - and starts looking like what it’s meant to be:

a practical bridge between renting and owning, built for people the traditional system often leaves behind.

If you want to explore whether rent-to-own could work for you, the most important step is understanding how it’s structured not taking anyone’s word for it. To find out more about how to rent-to-own works visit keyzy.com or get in touch today.