You may be someone who is moving to London for a new job opportunity or for studying. It’ll be exciting to start a new life in the bustling city, but it’s also true that finding a place to live would be one of the biggest challenges.
Searching for accommodation by looking online at various websites, such as those mentioned in this article, is a good idea. Other than that, you may also reach out to friends and acquaintances who live in London, asking for recommendations and advice.
Know that the process of finding a place to live or find a rent find in London is incredibly competitive and difficult. Many of the places are either too expensive or normally too far away from work or university, where it gets a bit cheaper…comparatively.
You may try a different approach as well – look for a flat share with other people, in hopes that it would be a more affordable option. Reach out to people on social media and through online classifieds, and you may find a group of other people who are also looking for a flatshare. By flat-sharing, you may find the rent very reasonable and split the cost together.
Alrighty, let’s have a look at some good websites to find places to rent in London.
Top 11 Websites for Renting in The UK
- SpareRoom
- Ideal Flatmate
- Zoopla
- AmberStudent
- Rightmove
- OpenRent
- Find a Hood
- StudentPad
- Gumtree
- Boomin
- OnTheMarket
Whether you’re on a budget or looking for luxury, these websites will have something for everyone. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore the best options for top renting websites in London.
1. SpareRoom
SpareRoom is one of the best resting websites that connects landlords and renters in the United Kingdom. It is a popular platform for people looking for flatmates, rooms for rent, or entire apartments to rent.
One of the standout features of SpareRoom is the ability to search for accommodation based on specific criteria, such as location, price, and a number of rooms. Users can also set up alerts for new listings that match their search criteria, making it easy to stay on top of new listings as they become available.
The platform also has a messaging system that allows users to communicate with potential roommates or landlords before making a decision. It also has a verification system that verifies that the users are real people.
SpareRoom offers a free basic service and a paid service that includes additional features such as the ability to feature your listing at the top of search results and access to a larger pool of potential renters.
Overall, SpareRoom is a useful platform for both professionals and students looking for accommodation in the UK. It offers a wide range of options and easy search functionality, making it a great option for those looking for a flatmate or a room to rent.
2. Ideal Flatmate
Ideal Flatmate is a UK-based website that connects people looking for flatmates with potential roommates. The platform uses a unique compatibility test to match users based on their lifestyle, personality, and living habits. This test aims to help users find compatible flatmates, reducing the likelihood of potential conflicts or issues down the line.
The platform offers a wide range of accommodation options, including rooms for rent in shared apartments, entire apartments for rent, and even house shares. Users can search for accommodation based on location, price, and a number of rooms, as well as by specific amenities or features.
Ideal Flatmate also has a messaging system that allows users to communicate with potential roommates before making a decision. It also offers a verification system that verifies that the users are real people and also offers a Guarantee service where they will refund the user if the flatmate experience goes wrong.
In terms of pricing, Ideal Flatmate offers a free basic service and a paid service that includes additional features such as the ability to feature your listing at the top of search results and access to a larger pool of potential roommates.
Overall, it is a great platform for people looking for flatmates in London, UK. Its compatibility test is a unique feature that sets it apart from other similar platforms and could be helpful in finding a compatible flatmate.
3. Zoopla
Zoopla is a UK-based renting website and mobile app that provides a wide range of real estate services, including property listings, property valuations, and property market data. With Zoopla, you can search for properties for sale or rent, including houses, apartments, and commercial properties.
One of the standout features of Zoopla is the ability to view properties on a map, making it easy to see the location of properties and filter your search based on location. The platform also offers a wide range of search filters, including price, number of bedrooms, and property type.
The platform also has a feature that allows you to save your search criteria, making it easy to stay on top of new listings as they become available. It also provides a comprehensive guide on the process of buying or renting a property, which can be helpful for first-time buyers or renters.
Zoopla is free for users to search for properties and access basic information, but if you want to contact an agent or landlord and get more detailed information about a property, you will need to pay for a membership.
4. AmberStudent
AmberStudent is another website that specializes in connecting students with student accommodation. The platform offers a wide range of accommodation options, including student halls, shared apartments, and private apartments.
You can search for accommodation based on specific criteria, such as location, price, and a number of rooms. Users can also set up alerts for new listings that match their search criteria, making it easy to stay on top of new listings as they become available.
In terms of pricing, AmberStudent is free for users to search for properties and access basic information, but if you want to contact an agent or landlord and get more detailed information about a property, you will need to pay for a membership.
5. Rightmove
Rightmove is a comprehensive and user-friendly renting platform for people looking for properties for sale or rent in London. Its wide range of search filters and the ability to view properties on a map make it easy to find the right property for you.
The platform also offers a wealth of information on the property market and the buying and renting process, making it a great resource for first-time buyers or renters.
Additionally, the “Recently Sold” section is a unique feature that can help users understand the local property market trends.
6. OpenRent
OpenRent is a reliable and user-friendly platform for people looking for accommodation in the UK. Its search functionality and messaging system make it easy to find the right property and communicate with landlords or tenants.
The fact that it’s free for users to search for properties and list them makes it a great option for budget-conscious renters, especially students.
It has a messaging system that allows users to communicate with landlords or tenants before making a decision, and it also offers a verification system that verifies that the users are real people.
7. Find a Hood
Finding the perfect place to call home can be a daunting task, especially when you’re moving to a new city. But with Find a Hood, your search just got a whole lot easier. This innovative website and mobile app are designed to help you explore and discover the best affordable accommodation in London city.
You can search for neighborhoods based on specific criteria, such as location, price, and amenities. Whether you’re looking for a trendy spot with plenty of restaurants and nightlife, or a quiet area with great schools and parks, Find a Hood has you covered.
It also offers a wealth of information on each area, including crime rates, school ratings, and local events. This makes it easy to get a sense of the atmosphere of a neighborhood before you move in.
8. StudentPad
As a student, finding the perfect place to call home can be a real headache. But with StudentPad, the search just got a whole lot simpler. This innovative website and mobile app is specifically designed to help students find the best accommodation options in the city, taking the stress out of the rental process.
But it’s not just about finding a place to live – StudentPad also offers a wealth of information on each property, including ratings and reviews from previous tenants. This makes it easy to get a sense of the atmosphere of a place before you move in.
It is also more than just a website, it’s a community. Users can connect with other students and share information and tips about student accommodation, making the rental process less daunting.
9. Gumtree
Gumtree is a comprehensive and user-friendly renting platform for professionals and students looking for a wide range of goods and services. Its search functionality, messaging system, and verification process make it a reliable and user-friendly option. The fact that it’s free for basic usage also makes it a great option for budget-conscious users.
It offers a variety of options, including apartments, houses, and rooms for rent in London. Users can search for properties based on location, price, and number of rooms, as well as by specific amenities or features.
10. Boomin
Boomin is a relatively new player in the housing market, having launched in 2021 during the pandemic. The platform places a strong emphasis on technology and its digital presence, working quickly to make the latest housing offers available to renters looking for accommodation in London.
11. OnTheMarket
OnTheMarket website provides an advantage over other platforms by listing rental properties earlier and with a greater variety.
With thousands of new listings added monthly and a user-friendly app that allows you to view homes with complete information, it simplifies the process of searching for a rental property.
