Renting with us, and a practical guide for landlords
We list quality rental properties across London and manage the process from enquiry to move-in: viewings, referencing, right-to-rent checks, tenancy agreements and deposit protection.
For landlords, our letting service includes marketing, tenant sourcing, full referencing (credit, employment, landlord references and right-to-rent verification), and compliant tenancy documentation.
Enquire About Letting See Full Management Service
By law, letting agents in England may only charge tenants the payments listed below. All other charges are prohibited.
| Payment | Detail / Cap |
|---|---|
| Rent | As set out in the tenancy agreement |
| Refundable holding deposit | Capped at 1 week's rent |
| Refundable security deposit | Capped at 5 weeks' rent (annual rent under £50,000) or 6 weeks' rent (annual rent £50,000 or over) |
| Payment to change the tenancy (e.g. change of sharer) | Capped at £50, or reasonably incurred costs if higher |
| Payment for early termination (tenant-requested) | Capped at the landlord's loss or the agent's reasonably incurred costs |
| Utilities, communication services, TV licence, Council Tax | Payable where required under the tenancy agreement |
| Default fee: late rent payment | Interest charged only after 14 days' late payment, capped at 3% above the Bank of England base rate |
| Default fee: lost keys / security devices | Reasonably incurred costs, evidenced on request |
Updated for the Renters' Rights Act — a practical starting point, not a substitute for legal or tax advice.
If you let out a property you own — including a room in your own home under certain arrangements — you're generally classed as a landlord under UK law, with responsibilities that follow regardless of whether letting is your main occupation.
Since 1 May 2026, all assured shorthold tenancies have converted to assured periodic tenancies, and new tenancies are periodic from the outset — there is no fixed end date to rely on. To end a tenancy, landlords must use a Section 8 notice and rely on one of the statutory grounds for possession; the court must be satisfied the ground is met before granting possession.
Rent review clauses in tenancy agreements are no longer enforceable. To increase rent, landlords must serve a Section 13 notice (current Form 4A) giving at least two months' notice, and can do so no more than once every 12 months. Tenants can refer a proposed increase to the First-tier Tribunal free of charge; the Tribunal cannot set a rent higher than the landlord proposed, and any revised rent applies only from the date of its decision.
Tenants have a statutory right to request permission to keep a pet, and a blanket "no pets" policy is no longer permitted. Each request must be considered on its merits and responded to within 28 days. Landlords may still refuse for good reason and can reasonably require pet insurance.
Landlords remain generally responsible for structural repairs, common areas, heating and hot water systems, and fixed sanitary installations. At least 24 hours' notice should be given before accessing a tenant's home for non-emergency repairs.
Deposits must still be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receipt, and landlords (or their agent) must confirm tenants have the right to rent in the UK before a tenancy begins — neither of these requirements changed under the new Act.
The strongest evidence for any deposit deduction is a proper check-in and check-out inventory report — we offer this as a standalone service or as part of full management.
Rental income is generally taxable and should be declared to HMRC; landlords with a mortgage should ensure timely rent collection to meet repayments. A standard home insurance policy typically does not cover a let property — specialist landlord insurance is strongly recommended.
A Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman and a landlord database are both planned to increase transparency and give tenants a free route to resolve disputes. We'll keep this guide updated as those schemes launch.
Alongside London, we actively manage lettings and rental properties across Hampshire — with particular focus on Gosport and Portsmouth.
From Gosport town centre and Lee-on-the-Solent to Rowner, Alverstoke and Bridgemary, we help landlords let residential properties quickly to referenced, quality tenants, and help tenants find flats and houses to rent in Gosport with a straightforward, compliant process.
We cover rental property across Portsmouth and Southsea, including flats near the seafront, houses in Fratton and Copnor, and student and professional lets close to the University of Portsmouth — backed by our full property management service for landlords who want a hands-off experience.
