When to start a London rental search and how to work with letting agents

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Separate preparation from active viewings

There is no universal promise that a home will be found within a week. Establish the budget and routes, prepare documents and study listings early. Tie active viewings to advertised availability: an owner may not keep a property empty for months until your move.

Monitor Rightmove ↗ and agents operating in your chosen areas. Set alerts for several precise locations. A very broad search without a budget or date usually creates unsuitable calls.

What to tell an agent

Briefly explain the number of adults and children, desired date, budget, income evidence, pets, furnishing needs and essential requirements. Do not say you can meet conditions you cannot fulfil. Ask whether the agent or owner will manage the property after move-in.

Before travelling, confirm availability, suitability for the household and willingness to consider your documents. Ask about bills, EPC, heating and the offer process. In England, competition cannot be pursued by offering rent above the published asking price: current rental bidding rules ↗ apply.

After viewing

If suitable, send a written offer with the date and essential conditions. Obtain the draft agreement, referencing document list and holding deposit terms. Verbal acceptance does not mean that checks are complete or keys are guaranteed.

Agree information deadlines and a responsible contact. Confirm acceptable evidence for self-employment, overseas income or a guarantor in advance. Do not pay a separate viewing or ordinary referencing fee; compare charges with the Tenant Fees Act guidance ↗.

Connect the agreement to your move

Check that everyone has signed the correct version and that the start date, rent, deposit and key collection are agreed. For an ordinary English APT, rent cannot be accepted before all parties sign; see the rent in advance rules ↗.

Allow time for document checks, corrections and temporary accommodation if your moving date is fixed. Calculate notice for the previous home separately to avoid overlapping obligations. Request written confirmation of check-in time and an emergency contact. At arrival, check the inventory and record meters before unpacking. English procedures and time limits should not automatically be applied elsewhere in the UK.