An instalment is a part-payment of your total rent amount. If you choose to pay in four instalments, for example, your rent payment will be divided into four payments of 10%, 30%, 40% and 20% of the total cost. The first instalment can potentially be taken up to two weeks before your tenancy starts. You will be told the dates on which the money will be collected during the booking process, these will depend on your property and tenancy.