Top 10 Best Websites for Renting in London

Struggling to find a reliable place to rent in London? You’re not alone. With thousands of listings, dozens of platforms, and an ever-changing rental market, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re relocating for work, starting university, or simply seeking a better flat, choosing the right rental website can make or break your experience.

Each site comes with its own strengths, some offer transparency, others focus on community living or premium listings. But how do you know which ones are trusted, easy to use, and full of real opportunities?

To help you navigate the chaos, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 best websites for renting in London. From major property portals to flatmate-matching services, this guide covers all the essentials to help you find a place that fits your lifestyle, budget, and needs.

Which London Rental Website Should I Use?

The ideal rental website for you largely depends on the type of property you’re searching for in London. Luckily, there’s a wide variety of options available to suit different needs, budgets, and lifestyles.

Whether you’re hunting for budget-friendly rentals or exploring luxury apartments, there’s a platform to match your requirements. However, if you want the most comprehensive selection and an all-around reliable experience, Rightmove is hard to beat.

As the UK’s most popular property portal, it offers thousands of listings, detailed search tools, and alerts, giving you a strong chance of finding your perfect London rental property quickly and efficiently.

Are Rental Prices in London Expected to Rise in 2025?

Yes, rental prices in London are on the rise in 2025, though projections vary depending on the source. Some experts anticipate moderate growth of 1.5% to 4%, while others expect higher increases due to high demand and a limited supply of rental homes.

Recent data from June 2025 shows a year-on-year increase of 5.4%, with predictions for the full year ranging from 3% to 4%. High demand combined with constrained supply remains the main driver behind rising rents.

Some reports even suggest a potential 7% increase in specific boroughs. Factors such as increased housing stock, slower growth compared to other regions, and legislative proposals like the Renters’ Rights Bill could influence pricing trends and market stability throughout the year.

How Challenging is It to Secure a Rental in London?

Finding a rental property in London can be challenging, particularly in popular areas with high demand. The city has a noticeable shortage of rental housing, which can make securing your ideal property difficult.

Competition is especially fierce in central and well-connected locations, where available homes often get snapped up quickly. The return of people to London following the easing of pandemic restrictions has further intensified the market.

Your chances improve if you’re flexible with location, property type, or move-in dates. Using reliable rental websites to set alerts and monitor new listings can also make the search more manageable, giving you an edge in a competitive environment.

Should I Use a Rental Website or an Estate Agent in London?

Both rental websites and estate agents offer different benefits, so there isn’t a single “best” approach for everyone. Many online platforms are linked to estate agencies, combining convenience with professional support.

Starting your search online allows you to explore a wide range of areas, filter properties by your preferences, and compare options efficiently. Once you’ve shortlisted potential homes, visiting a physical estate agent can provide additional insights, access to off-market properties, and personalised guidance.

Using a combination of both methods often increases your chances of finding the perfect rental property, balancing convenience, variety, and expert assistance throughout your search in London.

Best Websites for Renting in London

1. Rightmove

Rightmove is the undisputed king of property websites, hosting the largest selection of properties for sale and rent across the UK. It’s particularly essential for London renters because it accounts for more than 80% of all the time web users spend on property portals.

The site features a clean, user-friendly interface that integrates images, videos, maps, and detailed descriptions into a single view. You can also explore reliable area guides, up-to-date market data, and news articles that make navigating London’s competitive rental market easier.

Key Features:

• Extensive database of rental properties across London
• Advanced search filters for price, location, property type, and amenities
• Interactive maps showing nearby transport links, schools, and local attractions
• Alerts for new listings matching your criteria

Rightmove is ideal if you want a comprehensive overview of the London rental market. Whether you’re looking for a central studio or a family home in a suburban neighborhood, Rightmove ensures you have the widest range of options at your fingertips. Its combination of depth, usability, and reliability makes it a must-use platform for anyone serious about renting in London.

2. OpenRent

OpenRent launched in 2012 and quickly became one of the UK’s leading letting platforms. Its main appeal is transparency: tenants can deal directly with landlords, bypassing agents and unnecessary fees. For many Londoners, this makes renting simpler, faster, and less stressful.

The platform is equally beneficial for landlords and tenants, offering tools to manage viewings, contracts, and payments online. OpenRent is particularly suitable for renters who want to save on costs and avoid the sometimes-intimidating process of dealing with high-street letting agents.

Key Features:

• Direct contact with landlords, avoiding hidden fees
• Simple interface with clear listings and pricing
• Online contract signing and deposit management
• Tenant and landlord support for queries

OpenRent is ideal for first-time renters, students, or anyone who prefers a straightforward, no-nonsense approach. Its modern, tech-driven platform ensures a smooth experience from property search to moving in, making it one of the most practical websites for London rentals today.

3. Foxtons

Foxtons is London’s largest estate agent with over 50 offices throughout the city. The platform combines high availability of listings with advanced search features, allowing renters to find properties near schools, stations, and other key locations.

The website also offers interactive map tools, letting you draw customised search areas to filter out unwanted locations. Signing up for alerts ensures you never miss a property that matches your needs, and the MyFoxtons app pro2vides mobile access to all listings and updates.

Key Features:

• Extensive database of premium rental properties
• Search by neighbourhood, proximity to transport, or amenities
• Customisable map-based search tools
• Alerts for new listings and price changes

Foxtons is particularly useful for renters seeking mid-to-high-end properties, professionals moving to London, or anyone who values detailed, localised information and estate agent support during the rental process.

4. PrimeLocation

PrimeLocation targets buyers and renters with mid-to-upper-level budgets. As an offshoot of Zoopla, it provides similar coverage and usability while specialising in premium properties. For those seeking luxury flats or apartments in London’s most desirable areas, PrimeLocation is an excellent starting point.

Key Features:

• Wide selection of mid-to-high-end rental properties
• Detailed property descriptions, images, and floor plans
• Search filters for location, price, and property features
• Trusted platform with professional listings

PrimeLocation is perfect for those prioritising quality, location, and a polished online experience. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a rental that balances modern amenities with a prime London location.

5. HomeViews

HomeViews stands out as the only platform offering authentic, trustworthy insights from current and past tenants of London’s rental developments. Instead of just showing listings, it provides detailed reviews on management quality, amenities, and overall living experiences. This makes it particularly valuable if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises when moving into a new property.

The platform also includes helpful blog articles covering topics such as service charges, pet-friendly rentals, and other practical advice for London renters. By consulting HomeViews, you gain a clearer picture of what life is really like in a building before committing to a lease.

Key Features:

• Resident reviews for hundreds of London rental developments
• Insights on building management, facilities, and community
• Blog content offering practical rental advice
• Helps compare properties beyond just photos and descriptions

HomeViews is ideal if you prioritise tenant experiences and want a comprehensive view of London rentals. It complements other property platforms by adding a layer of transparency that is often missing in standard listings.

6. Gumtree

Gumtree has long been a go-to for private rentals in London, despite its occasional scam issues. Its listings often feature properties not found on traditional rental websites, giving you access to unique opportunities.

Safety is a priority, and Gumtree provides tips and tools to ensure secure transactions. However, renters must remain vigilant and trust their instincts, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Key Features:

• Listings for private rentals and hard-to-find properties
• Flexible search by area, price, and property type
• Safety tips and alerts to prevent scams
• Direct contact with landlords for fast responses

Gumtree is particularly useful for budget-conscious renters or those seeking short-term or unusual accommodations. Its mix of affordability and variety makes it a staple in London’s rental search toolkit.

7. SpareRoom

SpareRoom is the go-to website for anyone looking to rent a room or find a compatible flatmate in London. Its primary strength lies in connecting tenants based on lifestyle preferences, making shared living a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

The platform allows users to indicate the type of flatmate they’d prefer, whether you’re after someone social, quiet, tidy, or laid-back. Listing a room or searching for one is simple.

Users can upload photos, videos, and detailed descriptions, giving potential housemates a clear idea of what to expect.

The site’s matching algorithm then suggests compatible tenants based on your preferences, lifestyle habits, and personal interests. This ensures a higher likelihood of compatibility and reduces potential conflicts in shared accommodations.

Key Features:

• Flatshare matching based on lifestyle and habits
• Detailed property listings with images and videos
• Easy communication with prospective flatmates
• Tools for scheduling viewings and checking availability

SpareRoom is particularly useful for students, young professionals, or anyone new to London. Its focus on flatshares and compatibility makes it an essential tool for renters seeking affordable, communal living without compromising on comfort or convenience.

Whether you’re moving across the city or joining a flatshare for the first time, SpareRoom simplifies the process of finding the perfect room and the right people to live with.

8. Love to Rent

Love to Rent specialises in Build-to-Rent properties, a rapidly growing rental sector in London. These developments are designed exclusively for renters, offering modern, purpose-built flats with facilities that cater to convenience, lifestyle, and community living.

Unlike traditional rental properties, Build-to-Rent homes often include amenities such as gyms, co-working spaces, communal lounges, and 24-hour maintenance support.

The platform is particularly valuable for young professionals or tenants seeking flexible lease terms. Listings on Love to Rent cover the entire capital, from central London apartments to newly developed areas on the outskirts.

Users can filter properties based on location, price, amenities, and lease type, making it easy to find a rental that aligns with both budget and lifestyle preferences.

Key Features:

• Dedicated Build-to-Rent property listings
• Filters for amenities, location, and lease flexibility
• Modern, fully furnished apartments and communal facilities
• Ideal for long-term tenants and young professionals

Love to Rent is ideal if you value convenience, contemporary interiors, and vibrant communities. Its focus on rental-only developments ensures tenants have access to quality properties without the complications of purchasing or competing with buyers. For Londoners seeking hassle-free, modern living, this platform is a top choice.

9. Ideal Flatmate

With rental prices rising in London, flatsharing has become increasingly common. Ideal Flatmate provides a platform for finding compatible roommates and shared housing, helping renters avoid conflicts and create harmonious living arrangements.

The site allows users to answer detailed lifestyle and personality questions, ensuring potential flatmates are well-matched based on habits, routines, and interests.

Users can search for available rooms or list their own properties. Each listing includes photos, descriptions, and essential details, making it easier to assess whether a flatshare suits your needs. Ideal Flatmate’s focus on compatibility reduces the uncertainty of shared living, helping renters make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Key Features:

• Compatibility-based matching for flatshares
• Listings for rooms and shared properties with photos and details
• Tools for communication and arranging viewings
• Reduces potential conflicts in shared housing

Ideal Flatmate is perfect for students, young professionals, or anyone new to London who wants a stress-free, harmonious flatsharing experience. Its careful attention to matching lifestyles makes it one of the most reliable platforms for finding roommates and affordable housing in the capital.

10. Roomgo

Roomgo caters to renters looking for flatshares or rooms in London, with a strong focus on international tenants. The platform is multilingual and provides tools to search, filter, and contact landlords or housemates directly. This makes it particularly suitable for students, professionals, or anyone relocating from abroad.

Users can tailor their searches based on location, price, bills included, or furnished/unfurnished rooms. Alerts and saved searches help ensure that you never miss a new opportunity, while the platform’s communication tools make arranging viewings and contacting landlords straightforward.

Key Features:

• Multilingual support for international tenants
• Filters for furnished/unfurnished rooms, bills included, and location
• Alerts for new listings and saved searches
• Direct communication with landlords and flatmates

Roomgo is ideal for anyone seeking a flatshare with like-minded individuals in London. Its international-friendly platform simplifies the search process, making it easier to find affordable shared housing and compatible housemates. Whether you’re moving to London for work, study, or lifestyle, Roomgo provides a reliable and convenient solution for finding the perfect rental.

Comparison Table: Best Websites for Renting in London

Conclusion

Finding your ideal home in London doesn’t have to be stressful. With so many rental websites available, the key is choosing the one that aligns with your specific needs, whether that’s avoiding agency fees, finding a like-minded flatmate, or securing a premium apartment in a prime location.

If you’re after the widest range of listings, Rightmove is hard to beat. For shared accommodation, SpareRoom or Ideal Flatmate are great options. Want modern living with amenities included? Love to Rent is worth a look.

Each site on this list has been chosen for its reputation, usability, and the unique benefits it offers London renters. Take the time to explore more than one platform, you’ll increase your chances of finding a place that truly feels like home. Renting in London can be competitive, but with the right tools, it’s completely manageable.

FAQs

What is the most trusted website for renting in London?

Rightmove is widely considered the most trusted rental website in the UK due to its extensive listings and partnerships with professional estate agents. It offers accurate information, verified properties, and comprehensive tools for tenants.

Are there websites for renting in London without agency fees?

Yes, OpenRent allows you to rent directly from landlords, often without paying agency fees. It’s ideal if you’re looking for transparency and cost savings.

Can I find short-term rentals on London property sites?

Several websites, such as SpareRoom and Gumtree, offer short-term and flexible rental options. Just filter your search based on duration or contract type to find suitable listings.

Which site is best for finding a flatshare in London?

SpareRoom is the leading platform for finding flatshares and room rentals in London. It matches renters based on lifestyle, budget, and preferred living arrangements.

Is it safe to rent through websites like Gumtree?

While Gumtree can offer great deals, it’s important to be cautious and follow safety guidelines. Always verify listings, avoid upfront payments, and view the property in person.

Do all London rental websites offer mobile apps?

Not all platforms have dedicated mobile apps, but major ones like Rightmove and Foxtons do. Apps can be helpful for setting alerts and viewing new listings on the go.

How do I know if a rental listing is legitimate?

Legitimate listings usually include detailed descriptions, contact information, and multiple high-quality images. It’s also wise to rent through well-known platforms and avoid paying deposits before seeing the property.