OpenRent is obviously a fan favourite and undoubtedly the most popular online letting agent by a country mile. It’s not even close.
That said, there’s no such thing as a silver-bullet solution in this neck of the woods. Like any service, OpenRent have accumulated their share of disgruntled customers (for one reason or another), and those landlords been throwing their dosh in other directions.
Reality check: OpenRent doesn’t tickle the pickle of every landlord, and they certainly haven’t managed to lure and secure every self-managing landlord into their honey-trap. That’s why many other reputable alternatives are thriving. Some of these options offer additional features and may be entirely unfamiliar to you, but they are definitely worth eyeballing as they could very well be a better fit for your needs.
What is the best OpenRent alternative?
*shrugs shoulders* I don’t know, to be honest, but I can share what I consider to be some fab contenders.
But before that, I want to make it clear that I personally believe OpenRent is currently the best online letting agent for self-managing landlords that require a cost-effective and easy-peasy solution for finding tenants. That’s precisely why I’m a proud affiliate partner of theirs and have been for donkeys.
When or if my position changes, rest assured this blog post will be updated to reflect current times, clarifying my preferred poison. But for now, I’m on team OpenRent (because they meet my requirements).
But… Competition is fierce!
While many landlords remain loyal to OpenRent and fully invested in its ecosystem, plenty of others have explored alternative options, placing their trust elsewhere. I have also used several other online letting agents in the past, and to be honest, they’ve also been brilliant and I wouldn’t hesitate in using them again.
These alternative online letting agents continue to gain momentum, leaving behind a trail of satisfied customers. I’ve personally spoken with landlords who took a leap of faith away from OpenRent and never looked back (similarly, I’ve also heard from landlords who found a perfect fit with OpenRent after leaving their previous preferred option). Make of that what you will.
To make life easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of OpenRent alternatives (many of which are also my affiliate partners) for you to compare against the market leader. You never know – you might find a comfier glove. So feel free to use the filters, and take advantage of discount codes (regularly updated and often exclusive)!
Search Filters
Require any of the following?
- Rightmove listing
Rightmove listingAdvertise property on Rightmove (The UK’s largest property portal)
X
- Zoopla listing
Zoopla listingAdvertise property on Zoopla (The UK’s second largest property portal)
X
- OnTheMarket listing
OnTheMarket listingAdvertise property on OnTheMarket
X
- Tenant referencing
Tenant referencingTo ensure you stand the best chances of getting reliable tenants, your agent will reference prospective tenants, which can include credit checks and employment history.
X
- Deposit registration
Deposit registrationIn order to comply with the tenancy deposit legislation, the agent will secure the deposit on your behalf and serve required documents to your tenant.
X
- Rent collection
Rent collectionAgent will collect rent from tenant and then send it to you.
X
- Tenancy sign-up service
Tenancy sign-up serviceThe agent will draft your tenancy agreement contract and get it signed by the tenant(s) on your behalf.
X
- EPC
EPCAn Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed when a property sold in the UK. They are valid for 10 years, so if you already have a valid one you do not to order another.
X
- Gas safety check
Gas safety checkAgent will arrange for a gas safety check to be conducted. Landlords are legally obligated to have annual gas safety checks.
X
- EICR
EICRElectrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) are legally required for new tenancies in England. As from the 1st April 2021, all let properties will require an EICR.
X
- Photograghs
PhotograghsThe agent will arrange for a photographer to visit your property to take pictures, which can be used with your adverts. Good quality photos are important in making your property look attractive and can increase enquiries.
X
- Floorplan
FloorplanThe agent will arrange for a professionally produced floorplan showing the layout and room sizes of your property. Many buyers find floorplans useful when viewing property details online.
X
- Inventory service
Inventory serviceThe agent will arrange for an independent inventory clerk to create an inventory report.
X
- Hosted viewings
Hosted viewingsA local agent will take viewings and show potential tenants around your property. Please note, some agents limit how many viewings they will take, so please read the T&C’s carefully.
X
- Pay on Completion
Pay on CompletionPay on Completition means there’s nothing to pay upfront until you find your perfect tenants (T&C’s may apply, so please read carefully).
X
Please note, I try my best to keep the information of each service up-to-date, but you should read the T&C’s from their website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
If you’ve tried an OpenRent alternative, please feel free to drop a comment and share your experience…
Landlord out xo
Disclaimer: I’m just a landlord blogger; I’m 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I’m a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
