Best Websites to Find Tenants in the UK
Finding the right tenants for your rental property is crucial to ensuring a smooth and profitable letting experience. In today’s digital age, landlords have more options than ever before to advertise their properties online. Choosing the best websites to find tenants in the UK can make all the difference between a fast letting process and your property sitting empty for months.
In this post, we’ll explore the top websites where UK landlords can list their properties, what makes each platform unique, and how to maximise your chances of finding reliable tenants quickly. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or managing multiple rental properties, knowing where to advertise effectively will save you time and money.
We’ll also share practical tips for successful advertising, weigh the pros and cons of popular tenant-finding websites, and answer common questions landlords have.
Table of Contents
Why Choosing the Right Website Matters
The rental market in the UK is highly competitive, and tenants have plenty of options to choose from. Listing your property on the right website can increase visibility, attract serious applicants, and reduce void periods. Many websites offer different features, tenant demographics, and advertising costs, so understanding these nuances helps you pick the best fit.
From popular national portals like Rightmove to specialised platforms like OpenRent, online property portals have become essential tools for landlords. Selecting the right websites can help you find quality tenants faster and with less hassle.
1. OpenRent
OpenRent is a market leader among UK landlords, known for its user-friendly platform and landlord-first approach. It allows landlords to list properties quickly and directly reach thousands of prospective tenants.
Key Features:
- Simple, flat-fee pricing with no ongoing commissions.
- Listings appear on major portals including Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket.
- Includes tenant referencing, credit checks, and tenancy agreement templates.
- Offers deposit protection services.
- Option to manage the let yourself or add rent collection services.
Why OpenRent is Great for Finding Tenants:
OpenRent is perfect if you want to advertise widely while keeping costs low. Its integration with the biggest UK portals ensures maximum exposure, and the platform’s ease of use means landlords can get their listings live within minutes. The transparent fees and all-in-one tenant screening make it a favourite for DIY landlords.
2. Rightmove
Rightmove is the UK’s largest property portal, receiving millions of visitors monthly. It’s often the first stop for tenants searching for rental homes.
Key Features:
- Huge audience reach with over 170 million visits per month.
- Advanced search filters to help tenants find properties matching their criteria.
- Detailed property descriptions, photos, and floorplans.
- Mainly works with estate and letting agents but some online agents also list here.
Why Rightmove is Important:
If your letting agent offers a listing on Rightmove, you can expect excellent visibility. While individual landlords cannot list directly, OpenRent and some other platforms ensure your property reaches Rightmove’s audience.
3. Zoopla
Zoopla is another major property portal in the UK, popular with tenants for its user-friendly interface and extensive property listings.
Key Features:
- High traffic and national coverage.
- Property value estimates and market insights available to users.
- Interactive maps and local area information.
- Listings posted through agents or online platforms like OpenRent.
Why Zoopla is Effective:
Zoopla offers excellent exposure to a broad tenant base. Many tenants use Zoopla to research neighbourhoods and compare rents, making it an essential portal for landlords.
4. Gumtree
Gumtree is a popular classifieds website where landlords can list rental properties directly, often at no cost.
Key Features:
- Free or low-cost property listings.
- Direct contact between landlords and tenants.
- Localised searches by area.
- Suitable for private landlords and informal lettings.
Why Gumtree Works for Some Landlords:
Gumtree can be a quick and cost-effective way to reach local tenants, especially for single properties or short-term lets. However, the site attracts a wide audience, so landlords should carefully screen applicants.
5. SpareRoom
SpareRoom specialises in flatshares, house shares, and rooms for rent, ideal for landlords renting out HMOs or individual rooms.
Key Features:
- Focus on tenants seeking shared accommodation.
- Easy-to-use platform with detailed tenant profiles.
- Roommate matching tools.
- Listings can include photos, rent details, and house rules.
Why SpareRoom is Useful:
If you’re letting a room or multiple rooms in a property, SpareRoom is the go-to website in the UK. Its specialised audience means your listings reach tenants specifically looking for shared housing.
6. OnTheMarket
OnTheMarket is an emerging property portal competing with Rightmove and Zoopla, offering high-quality listings and fresh properties.
Key Features:
- New properties listed 24 hours or more before other portals.
- User-friendly website and app.
- Listings mainly through estate and letting agents.
- Growing audience and increasing tenant traffic.
Why OnTheMarket Matters:
While not as large as Rightmove or Zoopla, OnTheMarket is growing fast and offers landlords another channel for tenant visibility, often with less competition.
7. OpenHouse
OpenHouse is a growing online letting agent providing a platform for landlords to list properties with flat fees and no ongoing charges.
Key Features:
- Flat-fee advertising packages.
- Listings on major portals.
- Includes tenant referencing and legal documentation.
- Optional management and rent collection services.
Why Consider OpenHouse:
For landlords who want straightforward pricing and flexibility, OpenHouse offers a competitive service with wide portal exposure.
5 Tips to Maximise Your Success Finding Tenants Online
Finding the best website is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are some tips to boost your chances of attracting good tenants:
1. Use Professional Photos and Videos
High-quality images make your property stand out. Consider hiring a professional photographer or use a good camera to capture bright, clean spaces. Videos or virtual tours are becoming increasingly popular and can engage tenants more effectively.
2. Write a Detailed and Honest Description
Highlight key features, nearby amenities, transport links, and any unique selling points. Be honest about any limitations to manage expectations and avoid wasted inquiries.
3. Set a Competitive Rent
Research similar properties in your area on these websites to price your rent competitively. Overpricing can discourage potential tenants, while underpricing may affect your returns.
4. Respond Quickly to Inquiries
Prompt communication shows professionalism and keeps interested tenants engaged. Set up alerts and reply within hours if possible.
5. Screen Tenants Thoroughly
Use tenant referencing services available on platforms like OpenRent to verify employment, creditworthiness, and rental history. This protects you from potential problems down the line.
Pros and Cons of Using Online Tenant-Finding Websites
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide reach to thousands of potential tenants | Some sites charge fees for listings |
| Fast property advertising and tenant contact | High competition in popular areas |
| Convenience of managing listings online | Risk of unreliable applicants on open platforms |
| Access to tenant screening and legal tools | Some portals require agents for listing |
| Transparent pricing on many platforms | Self-managing can be time-consuming |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best websites to find tenants in the UK is key to letting your property quickly and securely. Platforms like OpenRent stand out by offering affordable pricing, wide portal exposure, and integrated tenant screening. National giants like Rightmove and Zoopla remain essential for reach, while niche sites like SpareRoom cater to shared housing.
By combining smart advertising, competitive pricing, and thorough tenant checks, landlords can significantly improve their chances of securing reliable tenants fast.
Ready to list your property? OpenRent is a fantastic starting point to get your property seen by thousands of tenants without paying hefty fees.
