15 websites to advertise your rental property on

Finding quality tenants quickly is the cornerstone of successful property management. The platform you choose to advertise your rental property directly influences how fast you fill vacancies, the quality of applicants you attract, and ultimately your rental yield.

With the Renters' Rights Act reforms commencing on 1 May 2026, landlords face an evolving landscape including the abolition of Section 21 evictions, new possession grounds, and strengthened tenant protections. Finding reliable, long-term tenants becomes even more critical when no-fault evictions disappear.

This comprehensive guide explores the 15 best websites to advertise rental properties in 2026, from major portals like Rightmove and Zoopla to specialist platforms and free advertising options. Whether you're managing a buy-to-let property or an HMO, understanding how to advertise your rental property effectively across multiple platforms maximises your chances of success.

The importance of choosing the right advertising platforms

The private rented sector has transformed dramatically over the past decade. Gone are the days when prospective tenants browsed estate agency windows or relied solely on local newspapers. Today's rental property search happens almost entirely online, with tenants comparing properties from their phones and making viewing decisions within seconds.

According to Rightmove data, rental listings receive their highest engagement within the first 48 hours of going live. After that initial surge, visibility drops significantly. This means your rental property listing needs to work hard from day one, appearing on platforms where your target tenants are actively searching.

The platforms you choose impact:

Speed to let - The right platforms reduce void periods, getting tenants in place faster and maximising rental income.

Tenant quality - Different platforms attract different demographics. Choosing wisely helps you find tenants who match your property type.

Cost efficiency - Advertising costs vary from free to hundreds of pounds. Understanding value versus reach is essential.

Enquiry volume - Major portals generate high volumes of enquiries, whilst niche platforms deliver fewer but often more qualified leads.

How to advertise rental property: Platform-by-platform breakdown

1. Rightmove

Overview - Rightmove remains the UK's largest property portal, attracting over 150 million visits monthly. For landlords seeking maximum exposure, Rightmove delivers unmatched reach.

How it works - Rightmove doesn't deal directly with private landlords. You must advertise through a registered letting agent or use services like OpenRent, which acts as an agent on your behalf.

Cost - Through OpenRent: £49 for listings including Rightmove access (as of early 2026, though this can change). Traditional letting agents include Rightmove advertising in their service packages but charge ongoing commission.

Best for - Properties in competitive markets, family homes, and situations where you need to let quickly. Particularly effective for suburban and rural properties where Rightmove's reach outperforms competitors.

How to advertise on Rightmove - Use an online letting agent like OpenRent or engage a traditional high street agent. Ensure your property listing includes professional photographs and comprehensive descriptions to maximise engagement.

2. Zoopla

Overview - Zoopla is the UK's second-largest property portal, offering significant reach particularly in urban areas. It attracts approximately 60 million visits monthly.

How it works - Like Rightmove, Zoopla requires advertising through registered agents. Services like OpenRent, 99Home, and Hello Neighbour provide access for private landlords.

Cost - Included in OpenRent's standard £49 package. Traditional agents bundle Zoopla into their service fees.

Best for - Urban properties, flats, and professional tenants. Zoopla's audience skews younger and more digitally native than Rightmove's.

How to advertise rental property on Zoopla - Partner with an online letting platform or traditional agent. Optimise your listing with accurate local area information, as Zoopla's search functionality emphasises location-based filtering.

3. OpenRent

Overview - OpenRent is the UK's largest online letting agent, offering both free listings on its own platform and paid upgrades to major portals.

How it works - Create an account, upload property details and photos, and choose your advertising package. OpenRent handles tenant referencing and tenancy creation services if required.

Cost - Free basic listing on OpenRent. £49 for premium listing including Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and other portals. Additional services like tenant referencing cost £20 per tenant.

Best for - Self-managing landlords seeking cost-effective advertising with optional full-service support.

Advertise rental property for free - OpenRent's basic package provides free advertising indefinitely on their platform, making it ideal for testing the market before investing in premium listings.

4. OnTheMarket

Overview - OnTheMarket positions itself as the estate agent-backed portal, with a cleaner, less cluttered interface than Rightmove or Zoopla.

How it works - Access requires advertising through participating agents. Some online platforms like 99Home include OnTheMarket in their packages.

Cost - Included in many online letting agent packages (£29-£49 typically).

Best for - Properties in areas with strong agent presence. Works well alongside other portals for comprehensive coverage.

How to advertise my rental property on OnTheMarket - Use an online letting service that includes OnTheMarket access, or engage a traditional agent participating in the platform.

5. SpareRoom

Overview - The UK's leading flatshare and house share website, essential for HMO properties and room rentals.

How it works - Create a landlord account, list individual rooms or whole properties. Advertise rooms separately or as a complete share.

Cost - Free for basic listings. Premium listings (£59-£149 for various durations) offer enhanced visibility and priority placement.

Best for - HMO properties, student accommodation, and professional house shares. The go-to platform for room rentals.

How to advertise rental property for free - Create a free basic listing that appears in search results. Invest in premium if competition is high in your area.

6. Facebook Marketplace

Overview - Facebook Marketplace has become increasingly popular for rental property advertising, particularly for local markets.

How it works - List your property through Facebook's "For Rent" category. Properties appear in local searches and can be shared across Facebook groups.

Cost - Completely free to advertise.

Best for - Local advertising, building community connections, and reaching younger demographics. Particularly effective for student properties and urban flats.

Best site to advertise holiday rental property UK - Whilst Facebook Marketplace works for standard rentals, holiday lets require specialist platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo.

Caution - Exercise strong tenant vetting practices as Facebook enquiries can include more unqualified leads than dedicated property platforms.

7. Gumtree

Overview - One of the UK's longest-running classified ad platforms, still relevant for rental property advertising.

How it works - Create a free account and post your property listing with photos and description.

Cost - Free for standard listings. Featured ads available for £9-£19 depending on duration.

Best for - Supplementary advertising alongside major portals. Works well for unique properties or niche markets.

Advertise free rental property - Gumtree offers genuine free advertising with reasonable reach, particularly in local markets.

8. Local Facebook Groups

Overview - Community-specific Facebook groups like "Houses to Rent in [Your Area]" offer targeted local advertising.

How it works - Join relevant groups in your property's area, follow group rules, and post your listing when permitted.

Cost - Free.

Best for - Building local connections, targeting specific communities, and properties in smaller towns where dedicated portals may have limited reach.

How to advertise your rental property for free - Local Facebook groups provide genuinely free exposure to local tenant pools actively seeking properties.

9. 99Home

Overview - An online letting platform offering comprehensive property management services with portal advertising.

How it works - List your property, choose service level, and 99Home handles advertising across Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket.

Cost - Approximately £69-£79 for complete tenancy creation service including advertising.

Best for - Landlords wanting full-service support from listing through to move-in.

10. Hello Neighbour

Overview - Online letting agent with personal account manager support.

How it works - Their "Get Rented" service includes advertising, applicant screening, and tenancy creation.

Cost - £74 for complete service including three months advertising on major portals.

Best for - Landlords who value personal support and guided service.

11. Quicklister

Overview - Budget-friendly platform focusing on advertising rather than full tenancy services.

How it works - Upload your property, pay the listing fee, and Quicklister distributes to Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and other portals.

Cost - £29 for six weeks of advertising.

Best for - Cost-conscious landlords comfortable handling tenant vetting and tenancy agreements independently.

12. Rightmove UK (via agents)

Overview - Many traditional letting agents still provide valuable services for landlords who prefer hands-off management.

How it works - Agents handle everything from photography through tenant placement, advertising on Rightmove as part of their service.

Cost - Typically 8-12% of monthly rent plus fees for tenancy renewal, check-out, etc.

Best for - Landlords unable or unwilling to self-manage, or properties requiring specialist local knowledge.

13. Property Platforms via Property Management Software

Overview - Modern property management software like Landlord Studio offers listing services integrated with full property management.

How it works - Manage your entire property portfolio whilst advertising through connected platforms.

Cost - Varies by platform and package.

Best for - Landlords seeking integrated solutions combining advertising, rent tracking, maintenance management, and compliance.

14. Local newspaper websites

Overview - Many regional newspapers maintain property sections on their websites.

How it works - Contact the newspaper's classified department to place a rental property listing.

Cost - Typically £20-£50 for a week's advertising.

Best for - Rural properties or areas with strong local newspaper readership, particularly targeting older demographics.

15. University accommodation boards

Overview - For student properties, university accommodation services often provide listing boards.

How it works - Contact the university accommodation office for their landlord listing process.

Cost - Usually free or nominal charges.

Best for - Student properties near universities, particularly purpose-built or suitable house shares.

How to advertise rental property on Rightmove specifically

Since Rightmove remains the dominant player, understanding how to leverage it effectively is crucial.

Step 1: Choose your route - Select an online letting agent (OpenRent being most popular) or traditional agent offering Rightmove access.

Step 2: Prepare professional materials - Invest in high-quality photographs. Rightmove listings with professional photos receive 3-4 times more enquiries than those with amateur images.

Step 3: Write compelling copy - Follow our guide on how to write a rental property listing to create descriptions that convert views into enquiries.

Step 4: Price competitively - Research comparable properties in your area using Rightmove's search function. Price appropriately for market conditions.

Step 5: Respond rapidly - Rightmove enquiries typically arrive quickly. Respond within hours to secure viewings before competitors.

Step 6: Monitor performance - Track views and enquiries through your agent's dashboard. If performance is poor after 48 hours, adjust pricing or listing quality.

How to advertise rental property for free effectively

Free advertising can work well when done strategically, particularly when combined with paid platforms.

Optimise free listings - Treat free platforms with the same professionalism as paid ones. Professional photos and detailed descriptions work everywhere.

Use multiple platforms - List on OpenRent's free tier, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and local Facebook groups simultaneously to maximise free exposure.

Leverage social media - Share your listing on your personal social media accounts. Friends, family, and colleagues might know someone seeking a rental property.

Time listings strategically - Post on weekday evenings when potential tenants are actively searching online.

Respond exceptionally fast - Free listings often generate lower-quality leads. Quick, professional responses help you identify serious applicants quickly.

Creating compelling property listings

Regardless of platform, your rental property listing quality determines success.

Professional photography - This cannot be overstated. Properties with professional photos let significantly faster. Invest £100-£150 in professional photography or learn to shoot quality images yourself.

Detailed descriptions - Include bedroom count, location highlights (transport links, schools, shops), included appliances, parking arrangements, and garden access. Answer common questions preemptively.

Accurate information - Misrepresenting properties wastes everyone's time and damages your reputation. Be honest about property size, condition, and features.

Key selling points first - Lead with your property's strongest features. "Newly renovated kitchen", "2-minute walk to station", or "Private garden" catch attention immediately.

Local area information - Mention nearby amenities, transport options, schools, and parks. Help potential tenants envision living there.

Advertising strategies under the Renters' Rights Act

From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act fundamentally changes tenancy dynamics. Advertising strategies should adapt accordingly.

Emphasise long-term tenancies - With Section 21 evictions abolished, highlight your openness to long-term tenancies in listings. Many tenants specifically seek security.

Screen thoroughly upfront - Without no-fault evictions, choosing the right tenant matters more than ever. Invest in comprehensive tenant vetting and reference checks.

Be honest about property standards - The Act strengthens property condition requirements. Accurately representing your property avoids disputes down the line.

Market stability and professionalism - Advertise yourself as a responsive, professional landlord. This attracts quality tenants seeking stable, well-managed properties.

Managing enquiries and viewings efficiently

Advertising is only the first step. Managing the enquiries that follow determines whether you secure quality tenants quickly.

Rapid responses - Aim to respond to all enquiries within 2-3 hours. Use property management software like August to stay organised across multiple enquiries and platforms.

Pre-screening questions - Ask about move-in date, affordability (annual income should be 2.5-3x annual rent), and any pets or guarantor requirements before booking viewings.

Efficient viewing schedules - Group viewings on specific days rather than accommodating individual requests throughout the week. This saves time and creates urgency.

Professional presentation - Ensure the property is clean, tidy, and well-lit for viewings. First impressions matter enormously.

Follow up promptly - After viewings, follow up with interested parties quickly. Good applicants often view multiple properties and make decisions fast.

Measuring advertising effectiveness

Track which platforms deliver the best results for your specific property type and location.

Cost per enquiry - Calculate how much each platform costs per genuine enquiry received. Free doesn't always mean best if it generates time-wasting leads.

Enquiry quality - Track which platforms produce applicants who actually proceed to referencing versus those who waste time.

Time to let - Monitor how quickly properties let when advertised on different platforms or platform combinations.

Return on investment - Compare the total cost of advertising (including your time) against the value of reduced void periods and better tenant quality.

Streamlining property management beyond advertising

Once you've found great tenants through effective advertising, managing the tenancy efficiently becomes crucial.

August provides comprehensive property management tools designed specifically for self-managing landlordsincluding:

Automated rent tracking - Monitor rent payments automatically, with late payment alerts and complete payment history accessible from your phone.

Document management - Store tenancy agreements, gas certificates, EICRs, and property inventories securely in one place.

Maintenance tracking - Log and track repair requests with full communication history and photo evidence.

Compliance reminders - Automated alerts for expiring certificates, inspection due dates, and important deadlines.

Final thoughts

Choosing where to advertise your rental property significantly impacts how quickly you fill vacancies, the quality of tenants you attract, and ultimately your rental yield. The best approach typically combines major portals (Rightmove and Zoopla via services like OpenRent) with free supplementary platforms (Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, local groups) to maximise exposure without excessive costs.

As the Renters' Rights Act reforms commence on 1 May 2026 and Section 21 evictions are abolished, finding reliable long-term tenants through effective advertising becomes more important than ever. Combine smart platform selection with professional presentation, rapid response times, and thorough tenant vetting to build a successful buy-to-let portfolio in this evolving regulatory landscape.

Whatever platforms you choose, professional property management practices make the difference between good and exceptional landlords. August helps you manage every aspect of your tenancies efficiently, from finding tenants through advertising to day-to-day management, all in one simple app designed specifically for the UK private rented sector.

Disclaimer: This article is a guide and not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. August does not accept any liability for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained in this article. Always speak to a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information.