How to Find Good Tenants in Central London 

If you’re thinking of renting out a property for the first time, it’s natural to be concerned about the tenant from hell moving in.  

What if your new tenant causes damage, stops paying their rent or becomes ‘that’ neighbour? That’s where tenant screening comes into the picture. When you rent out your Chelsea, Notting Hill or St Johns Wood property, you can raise your chances of securing a reliable tenant who will treat it with respect. 

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has also introduced new anti-discriminatory rules, so you should be aware of what you can and cannot do when advertising and making decisions on tenant applications. Not only that, but the fact that Section 21 evictions are shelved and tenancies are rolling from day one means that you have to choose tenants even more carefully. 

Renting out your property to strangers will always be a leap in the dark – and finding your dream tenant can’t be guaranteed. But there are simple steps you can take, and checks you can make, to ensure you know more about the person you’re letting to. 

Read our 16 top tips for fantastic tenants and where to find them: 

1. Know The Market 

Research the asking prices of similar properties in the local area, and try to be realistic about your expectations. Does the property appeal to your target market? If not, try to identify the gaps. 

2. Attract Plenty Of Potential Tenants 

The more interest you generate in the property, the greater your chance of finding the perfect tenant. So, it’s important to market your home as extensively as your budget permits. 

Rather than waiting for prospective tenants to contact you, you should be proactive. You can use platforms like OpenRent to advertise on the popular property portals, post on local Facebook groups or add your property to Facebook Marketplace Property Rentals. Word of mouth is still a good way to find tenants through your network. 

If you are looking for a letting agent to find your tenants, choose wisely. Do your research into how quickly, on average, they take to let a place. Some agents will have a waiting list of tenants looking for property in the area, which can speed up the process of finding serious tenants. 

Want to know more? Read up on what to do if a tenant has a pet without permission and our landlord inventory template. 

3. Match the Property to the Right Audience 

Research demand for your type of property in the area, try marketing to specific types of tenant and consider what will appeal to them. You may even choose to invest in buy-to-let properties which appeal to certain demographics. The property should be tailored to your target market where possible, for example, do they value high-speed internet, modern appliances, ensuites or bike storage? 
 
Highlight the balcony for young professionals, or a spacious garden in a family-friendly area. Retired people can make good tenants who will take care of your property. 

Corporate lets are a safe option if your property is appropriate. They provide an additional level of security because you will be dealing with your tenant’s employer and can hold them accountable. 

Thinking about the ideal type of tenant demographic can be beneficial to how you market the property, but selection decisions should never be based on family status or receipt of benefits. 

4. Avoid Rental Discrimination Under the Renters’ Rights Act 

Be aware, though, that you must comply with the law on discrimination when choosing your tenants. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of certain protected characteristics when letting property. These include age, race, religion, disability and sexual orientation. Read more on the gov.uk website. 

The first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 was introduced on 1 May 2026, including blanket bans on discriminative advertising such as “No DSS” or “No children”. It is illegal to refuse a tenant or apply a different selection process based on whether they receive benefits or have children. If landlords are found to discriminate, local councils now have powers to take enforcement action. 

Landlords are still able to assess tenant applications based on affordability, references and other objective, non-discriminatory grounds. 

Setting Up a Fair, RRA-Compliant Tenant Selection Process  

To help ensure that your selection process does not get called into question, we recommend keeping supporting evidence and following these steps: 

1. Set affordability and referencing criteria before advertising the property 
2. Apply the same criteria consistently to every applicant 
3. Keep a brief written record of the reason for turning any applicant down 

Remember, you mustn’t allow or encourage rental bidding, and must only rent the property for its advertised price – whatever tenants occupy your property. 

5. Use Current Tenants’ Feedback 

What do your current tenants like and dislike about the property? Some quirks only come to light through daily use, so their feedback could allow you to remedy problems and identify your property’s strengths. Use this information to reposition so you can attract new tenants. 

6. Be Prepared With Questions & Forms 

Before meeting your applicants, think about the questions you wish to ask them and establish which documents you will be requesting from them. It’s easy to forget something important, especially when you warm to someone and are tempted to trust your instincts. 

Using an application form, which everyone must complete, could be useful – or try onboarding apps, which can streamline the pre-screening process. They will ensure that you gather the right information and help you make comparisons between applicants as well as being a fair way to operate.  

Make sure that any questions you use do not inadvertently disclose the applicant’s family or benefits status so that you stay compliant with the new anti-discriminatory rules. 

7. Get The House Ready To View 

Attractive presentation can help with finding good tenants – a smart property will encourage them to view, and then tempt them to apply. If your property is currently vacant, take care of maintenance issues, update worn-out décor and clean the property to appeal to the potential tenant. If there are tenants living in the property, approach them about presentation, but be reasonable. 

8. Keep Current Tenants Happy 

Treat your current tenants with respect – their cooperation can go a long way. They are legally entitled to reject viewings at a time that inconveniences them, and aren’t compelled to show the property to its best advantage.  

Showing courtesy by organising viewings at reasonable times, for example, can help the process to run smoothly. You can find out more about the rules around entering a tenant’s home in our article. 

9. Meet Your Applicants 

It’s a good idea to meet your prospective tenants in person, especially those you are strongly considering. It is hard to form an opinion about someone if you’ve only emailed or spoken by phone. 

10. Consider The Tenant’s Attitude 

The tenant’s manner can reveal their character, so consider the way they communicate and conduct themselves. Do they arrive punctually for appointments, submit documents in a timely manner and ask serious questions about the property? 

11. Do Background Checks 

It is crucial to examine applications carefully and not take anything at face value. Background checks are essential – ask for proof of income, copies of bank statements, a good credit rating and positive employer and landlord references, and be alert to past evictions or antisocial behaviour. While this might feel intrusive, it will give you a better picture of their circumstances for greater peace of mind. 

If you do not feel comfortable or do not have time to do this yourself, you can use professional referencing and credit checking services for a one-off fee. 

Want to find out more? Take a look at how to find corporate tenants and renting to international students. 

Using Professional Tenant Referencing Services 

A professional tenant referencing service typically provides comprehensive checks including: 

• Right to Rent checks 
• Credit history 
• Previous landlord references 
• Affordability 

At Plaza Estates, we include refencing within our property management services to help landlords to find good quality tenants, as well as arranging maintenance, liaising with tenants and handling tenancy agreements and deposit registrations. 

12. Ask For References 

Always seek references for your tenants, including from previous landlords, and ensure that they are genuine. If your applicant hasn’t rented a home before, seek references from their employer or a college lecturer and consider asking for a guarantor. They will cover the payments if your tenant doesn’t pay rent on time. 

Guarantors, again, are now more important as a consideration. Since it’s harder to evict tenants due to the Renters Rights Act, guarantors offer an extra layer of protection in case the tenant defaults on rent or damages your property. 

Red Flags to Watch for During Tenant Screening 

If you decide to do the tenant screening yourself, look out for certain red flags that could indicate that there could be future problems with the tenants, such as: 

• Reluctance to provide references or contact details for previous landlords 
• Inconsistent or unverifiable employment history 
• Unwillingness to undergo a standard credit check 
• Pressure to skip referencing or move in before checks are complete 

13. Check Their Social Media 

It’s also worth delving into your prospective tenants’ social media profiles to check their career information and gain an impression of their lifestyle. Looking at their Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts will give you more information about the person and their employment history.  

However, it is important that you do not use any insights you gather from social media to screen out applicants based on protected characteristics e.g. because they have children or are in receipt of benefits. 

14. Carry Out Credit and Right to Rent Checks  

Once you have identified the most promising applicants, it is worth investing in credit checks. Identity checks are also crucial, as it is your responsibility in law to establish that your tenant possesses the right to rent in the UK.  

Non-British and non-Irish tenants with an eVisa prove their right to rent with a share code. Ask for a code that begins with the letter R, then enter it with the tenant’s date of birth on the GOV.UK checking service.  

British and Irish tenants can show a passport in person or on a live video call. You can also use a digital verification service provider that is registered for right to rent checks, but digital checks are optional, so offer a manual check to any tenant who prefers one. A UK driving licence cannot prove right to rent on its own. 

Keep a clear copy of each document or a PDF or HTML copy of the online result, record the date of the check and store everything for the length of the tenancy plus at least one year. More information can be found on the gov.uk website. 

15. Use A Letting Agent 

If you’re pushed for time, or feel unsure about handling the process yourself, using the services of a letting agent will save you a lot of stress. A letting agent will have detailed knowledge of the local market and may already have the perfect tenant registered with them. They will be able to market your property effectively, help you understand your responsibilities, – from property upkeep to tax – and will have the expertise and legal knowledge to check applicants thoroughly. 

Letting agents can find tenants for your rental property, arranging the credit check, organising the tenancy agreements and collecting the tenancy deposit. They can also collect the monthly rent. Many will offer property management services during the tenancy too. 

16. Take Out Landlord Insurance 

No matter how careful you are, it is still possible to encounter problems with your tenant. You can protect your interests by investing in landlord insurance. As with letting agents, taking out landlord insurance will increase your overheads but it will mitigate the impact and expense of a bad tenant. 

Want to find the right tenants for your property?

From Little Venice to South Kensington, Paddington Basin, Lancaster Gate, Earl’s Court or Camden – a trusted agent can help you find new tenants. If you’re a landlord with property to rent in central London, we’d be happy to advise you about the best way to find great tenants. Contact us today to find out more. 

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