Moving to a new city can be exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to finding a place to live. For those looking to rent in London, the process can be particularly daunting given the city's competitive and fast-paced rental market. However, the good news is that there are numerous online resources available to help renters find their perfect home in the city.
In this blog post, we’ll share with you some of the best places to look for properties to rent online. Whether you're a first-time renter in London or a seasoned veteran, this guide is sure to be helpful in your search for a new home.
Websites to Find Properties to Rent Online
There are numerous websites available to help you find the perfect property to rent in London. Here are some of the top websites to search for your next rental property:
Rightmove
Zoopla
OnTheMarket
SpareRoom
OpenRent
These are just a few of the many websites available to help you find properties to rent in London. By using these websites, you can quickly and easily find the perfect rental property for you.
Lets get specific!
Let’s have a look at the above websites in more detail.
Rightmove
Rightmove is one of the largest property websites in the UK and is a great resource for those looking to rent in London. It lists properties from estate agents and private landlords across the country, and its user-friendly platform makes it easy to search for properties based on a variety of criteria.
One of the best features of Rightmove is its map view, which allows you to see the exact location of properties in relation to local amenities and transport links. This can be especially helpful if you are unfamiliar with the area you are searching in.
Another useful feature is the ability to set up email alerts for new properties that match your search criteria. This means you can be notified as soon as a new property is listed, giving you an advantage over other potential renters.
Overall, Rightmove is a valuable tool for anyone looking to rent in London, and its extensive range of listings and user-friendly platform make it a popular choice among renters and landlords alike.
Zoopla
Zoopla is another popular property portal that offers a wide range of properties to rent in London. With over 300,000 properties listed on its platform, it's a great place to start your search. Zoopla allows you to filter your search based on various criteria, such as location, price, property type, and number of bedrooms.
The platform also offers features such as property alerts and saved searches, which can be really helpful in keeping track of new listings that match your search criteria. Zoopla also has a mobile app, which makes it easy to browse and save properties on-the-go.
One of the unique features of Zoopla is its "Heatmaps" feature, which shows you the average property prices in different areas of London. This can be really helpful if you're not familiar with the city and are unsure of which areas to focus your search on.
Zoopla also offers a "Find Agent" tool, which allows you to search for local estate agents who can help you with your search. This can be particularly helpful if you're new to the city and need some guidance on the rental market.
Overall, Zoopla is a great option for anyone looking to rent a property in London. With its extensive range of properties and helpful features, it's definitely worth checking out.
OnTheMarket
OnTheMarket is another popular website for finding properties to rent in London. The website lists a range of properties, from studio flats to large family homes, and includes a variety of different rental types such as short-term lets, furnished apartments, and student housing.
OnTheMarket also allows you to set up alerts so you can receive notifications about new properties that meet your criteria. This is a useful feature if you are struggling to find the right property or if you are on a tight timeline and need to find a property quickly.
The website also has a useful feature called "Draw a Search," which allows you to define a specific area on a map and search for properties within that area. This is particularly helpful if you are looking for a property in a specific neighborhood or near a particular landmark or institution.
In addition to its online platform, OnTheMarket has a mobile app that allows you to search for properties on-the-go. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and provides a seamless and user-friendly experience.
OpenRent
OpenRent is a popular online estate agent that specializes in providing property rental services to both landlords and tenants. It's a great resource for renters looking for properties to rent in London.
OpenRent has a user-friendly website that allows renters to search for properties based on their preferences, such as location, price, and number of bedrooms. Renters can also set up email alerts to receive notifications about new properties that match their criteria.
One of the key benefits of using OpenRent is that renters deal directly with the landlords, which can save both time and money. OpenRent provides renters with a secure messaging platform to communicate with landlords and arrange viewings.
OpenRent also offers a range of other services to make the rental process easier, including online tenancy agreements, rent collection, and maintenance reporting. Overall, OpenRent is a great option for renters looking for properties to rent in London, especially if they want to deal directly with landlords.
SpareRoom
SpareRoom is a popular website for finding flatmates or rooms to rent in London. However, the platform also has an extensive selection of flats, apartments, and houses available to rent. It is an excellent option for those who are looking for a more affordable rental option or those who prefer to share a living space with others.
One of the unique features of SpareRoom is that it allows you to search for properties based on your preferred living situation. For instance, you can filter results based on the number of flatmates you want to live with, whether you want a furnished or unfurnished room, and your preferred move-in date.
SpareRoom also has a built-in messaging system that allows you to communicate directly with landlords or flatmates. This feature can be helpful in arranging viewings and getting to know the people you may be living with.
Another useful feature of SpareRoom is their "early bird" alert system. You can set up alerts for properties that match your preferences, and you will receive notifications as soon as a new listing becomes available.
Social media platforms for finding properties to rent in London
Social media platforms have become a popular tool for finding rental properties in London. While not all estate agents and landlords advertise their properties on social media, many do. The ones the we have seen used the most is Facebook and WhatsApp.
There are numerous Facebook groups that cater to those searching for rental properties in London. These groups allow landlords and estate agents to advertise their properties to potential tenants. Some popular Facebook groups include "London Property Renting & Flatsharing", "London Flats to Rent", and "London Rooms & Rentals".
Estate agents have started incorporating WhatsApp into their deal making only recently. It allows them to stay in touch with clients and keep them updated on the latest property listings.
One of the main benefits of using WhatsApp is that it allows real estate agents to communicate with clients in real-time. Agents can quickly respond to messages and answer questions, which can help build trust with clients and create a positive experience.
In addition to communicating with clients, real estate agents can also use WhatsApp to share photos and videos of properties. This can be particularly helpful for clients who are unable to visit properties in person, such as those who are relocating from overseas.
It's worth noting that while social media can be helpful, it's important to be cautious of scams and to thoroughly research any properties or landlords before committing to a rental agreement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding properties to rent online has never been easier with the numerous options available. From the popular property portals like Rightmove, Zoopla and OpenRent to the specialized platforms like SpareRoom, there is something for everyone. Additionally, social media platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp have become valuable tools for real estate agents in finding properties to rent in London.
It is important to note that while online platforms are a convenient way to search for properties to rent, it is advisable to exercise caution and conduct due diligence before committing to a property. With the right approach and utilizing the various online resources available, finding your dream home in London is within reach.
At Viewio, we strive to make the property search process as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you can't attend a viewing for any reason why not let a local attend viewings on your behalf? Contact us today to find out more and start your search for the perfect rental property in London!