Free Property Listing Sites in the UK – 10 Best Options for 2025

Looking to sell or rent your property without paying hefty agent fees? You’re not alone. With traditional estate agents charging around £2,000+ in fees, more UK property owners are turning to free property listing sites to save money while still reaching potential buyers and tenants.

The good news is there are genuine free options available – though you’ll need to know where to look and what to expect from each platform.

The Quick Answer

Best free options: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and SpareRoom for rentals Almost free: OpenRent (free listing, small fee for premium features) Worth paying for: Rightmove and Zoopla access through budget online agents

Reality check: Truly free sites have smaller audiences, but they’re perfect for landlords and private sellers on tight budgets.

What Are Free Property Listing Sites?

Free property listing sites let you advertise your property for sale or rent without upfront costs. Instead of paying thousands to estate agents, you create your own listing, upload photos, and manage enquiries directly.

The catch? Free sites typically have smaller audiences than premium portals like Rightmove or Zoopla. But for many landlords and sellers, the cost savings make this trade-off worthwhile.

Top 10 Free Property Listing Sites in the UK

1. Facebook Marketplace

Cost: Completely free Best for: Quick sales and rental listings Audience: Millions of UK users

Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most popular free listing platforms in the UK. It’s where your neighbors are already browsing, making it perfect for local property marketing.

Why it works:

• Huge local audience
• Easy to verify potential buyers/tenants through profiles
• Direct messaging system
• Can post in local property groups
• Mobile-friendly for most users

Downsides:

• Can attract time-wasters
• Less professional than dedicated property sites
• Limited search filters for property hunters
• Need to manage enquiries yourself

2. Gumtree

Cost: Free basic listings Best for: Rental properties and quick sales Audience: 15+ million monthly UK visitors

Gumtree remains one of the UK’s most popular classified sites, with a strong property section that attracts serious buyers and tenants.

Strengths:

• Well-established platform
• Good local reach
• Easy listing process
• Mobile app available
• Categories for both sales and rentals

Limitations:

• Competition from other listings
• Basic features compared to specialist sites
• Some low-quality enquiries
• Limited property-specific tools

3. SpareRoom

Cost: Free for landlords Best for: Rental properties (especially shared accommodation) Audience: 7 million monthly visits

Despite the name, SpareRoom isn’t just for spare rooms. It’s become a major player in the UK rental market with a strong focus on shared accommodation and rentals.

Perfect for:

• Room rentals and house shares
• Young professional tenants
• Student accommodation
• Short-term lets

Consider this:

• Primarily rental-focused (not sales)
• Audience skews younger
• Strong for urban areas
• Less effective for family homes

4. OpenRent

Cost: Free basic listing, paid upgrades available Best for: Landlords wanting professional features Audience: UK’s largest online letting agent

OpenRent bridges the gap between free listings and full-service letting agents. You can create a free listing and upgrade to their paid services for Rightmove/Zoopla distribution.

What you get free:

• Professional listing creation
• Basic property advertising
• Lead management tools
• Tenant screening assistance

Why it’s popular:

• Professional appearance
• Option to upgrade for major portals
• Landlord-focused features
• Good reputation in rental market

5. Craigslist UK

Cost: Free Best for: London and major cities Audience: Varies by location

While less popular in the UK than the US, Craigslist still attracts property seekers, particularly in London and other major cities.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Simple listing process
• Good for unique properties
• International audience

Cons:

• Smaller UK audience
• Basic interface
• Limited customer support
• Potential for scam enquiries

6. Zoopla (Free Valuation Listings)

Cost: Free for basic exposure Best for: Market testing and lead generation Audience: 120 million monthly visits

While Zoopla charges agents for full listings, property owners can get limited free exposure through their valuation and “TemptMe” services.

How it works:

• List your property as “not actively for sale”
• Indicate a price you might accept
• Receive genuine enquiries from interested buyers
• Test market interest before committing to full marketing

7. Property Websites (DIY)

Cost: Domain and hosting (£50-200/year) Best for: Large portfolios or unique properties Audience: You drive the traffic

Creating your own property website gives you complete control and can be surprisingly effective, especially for landlords with multiple properties.

Benefits:

• Professional appearance
• Complete control over presentation
• Build your brand
• Collect direct leads
• SEO potential for local searches

Requirements:

• Basic technical knowledge
• Time to build and maintain
• Marketing to drive traffic
• Good photography skills

8. Local Facebook Groups

Cost: Free (if allowed by group rules) Best for: Local community targeting Audience: Local residents

Many areas have Facebook groups specifically for local property sales and rentals. These can be goldmines for finding genuinely interested local buyers and tenants.

How to find them:

• Search “[Your Area] Property For Sale”
• “[Your Area] Houses to Rent”
• Local community groups
• Estate agent managed groups

Group etiquette:

• Read and follow group rules
• Don’t spam multiple groups
• Engage genuinely with the community
• Post quality content with good photos

9. Property Forums and Communities

Cost: Free Best for: Investment properties and unusual situations Audience: Property enthusiasts and investors

UK property forums like Property Hub, Property Investors Network, and similar communities allow property listings and attract engaged, knowledgeable audiences.

Works well for:

• Investment properties
• Properties needing work
• Off-market opportunities
• Networking with other property professionals

10. Nextdoor

Cost: Free Best for: Hyperlocal marketing Audience: Verified local neighbors

Nextdoor is a neighborhood social network that’s growing rapidly in the UK. It’s perfect for reaching people who already know and love your local area.

Advantages:

• Verified local residents
• High engagement rates
• Word-of-mouth potential
• Community trust factor

Almost Free Options Worth Considering

If you can stretch to a small budget, these options offer much better exposure:

Budget Online Agents (£200-600)

PurpleBricks: Offers a free listing on their site, with paid upgrades for Rightmove/Zoopla Strike: Low-cost Rightmove/Zoopla listings from £218 Yopa: Budget-friendly packages with professional photography Emoov: Online agent with competitive pricing

Why consider these:

• Access to major property portals
• Professional appearance
• Still much cheaper than traditional agents
• Better results than free-only approaches

Maximizing Success with Free Listings

Photography Tips

Essential for any listing:

• Use natural light wherever possible
• Take wide-angle shots to show space
• Include exterior shots and local amenities
• Show the property’s best features first
• Avoid blurry or dark photos

Writing Effective Descriptions

What works:

• Start with the best features
• Include specific details (room sizes, nearby transport)
• Mention any recent improvements
• Be honest about any limitations
• Use local area knowledge to attract interest

Managing Enquiries

Stay professional:

• Respond quickly to genuine enquiries
• Screen callers/messagers before arranging viewings
• Have standard responses ready for common questions
• Keep records of all interactions
• Be clear about your requirements and timeline

The Reality of Free vs Paid Property Marketing

What Free Sites Can Do:

• Reach local audiences effectively
• Generate genuine leads and enquiries
• Test market interest in your property
• Work well for unique or specialist properties
• Perfect for landlords with tight margins

What They Can’t Do:

• Compete with Rightmove/Zoopla reach
• Provide professional marketing support
• Offer advanced lead management tools
• Guarantee quick sales or lets
• Handle complex legal requirements

When to Consider Paying:

• Property worth over £300,000
• Need to sell/let quickly
• Competitive local market
• Complex chain situation
• First-time seller needing support

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t do this:

• Post the same listing across every platform (looks spammy)
• Use poor quality photos
• Overprice compared to local market
• Ignore enquiries or respond slowly
• Forget to update listings when sold/let

Do this instead:

• Tailor listings to each platform’s audience
• Invest in good photography
• Research local market prices carefully
• Respond professionally and promptly
• Keep all listings current and accurate

Legal Considerations

Remember you still need:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Gas Safety Certificate (for rentals)
• Right to Rent checks (for tenants)
• Proper tenancy agreements
• Deposit protection (for rentals)

Free doesn’t mean unregulated – you still have the same legal obligations as any property seller or landlord.

Looking for More Options?

If you want to explore beyond the mainstream free sites, check out our comprehensive guide to free alternatives to Rightmove for even more creative ways to market your property without breaking the bank.

My Honest Recommendation

After researching all these options, here’s what I’d actually do:

For rentals:

1. Start with OpenRent’s free listing
2. Post on Facebook Marketplace and local groups
3. Add SpareRoom if it’s suitable for your property type
4. Consider upgrading OpenRent for major portal access

For sales:

1. Use Facebook Marketplace and local groups first
2. Try Gumtree for additional exposure
3. If budget allows, invest in a budget online agent for Rightmove/Zoopla access
4. Consider PurpleBricks free listing as a starting point

The truth: Free sites work, but they require more effort and patience. If your property is unique, priced right, and you’re good at marketing yourself, free sites can absolutely deliver results.

Bottom Line

Free property listing sites are genuinely useful tools, especially for landlords and sellers who need to keep costs down. While they won’t match the reach of premium platforms, they can definitely help you find buyers and tenants.

The key is managing expectations, using multiple platforms, and being prepared to invest more time in managing the process yourself. Sometimes free really can work – you just need to be smart about how you use these platforms.

Remember: Whether you go free or paid, good photography, honest descriptions, and competitive pricing matter more than which platform you choose.

Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by James Cartwright