Central London Tenants Guide
Looking to Rent Property in Central London?
At Circa London, we believe that selling a property in central London is not only about achieving the highest price but also about considering personal factors like time constraints and privacy. Hence, we offer bespoke services tailored to your unique needs.
We have prominent high street offices in Bankside SE1 (Southwark) and Shoreditch EC2, along with an office in Hong Kong and desks in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Shanghai. Additionally, our Asia Desk (London) is dedicated to assisting overseas buyers and investors. We provide strategic bases from which we offer a full range of property services, including central London sales, lettings and property management.
We provide honest, realistic valuations and insights into your property’s potential and if there are ways to increase its value, we’ll let you know. Our focus is on achieving the best outcome ensuring a successful and positive selling experience.
We make renting a property in central London stress free, as we simplify the process.
Our foundations have been built on years of first-class customer service and we promise to never to rest on our laurels. Whether you’re looking for a luxury apartment, townhouse, short let, student accommodation, or a warehouse conversion, we offer a wide range of options with new listings added daily. We’re here to help you find your perfect rental home.
By working with Circa London Sales & Lettings, you gain access to the expertise, insights and advice of our lettings team. We’ll listen and take on board exactly what you’re looking for, and go about finding it. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process, so you always know what's happening with your rental property.
Our website offers an easy-to-use rental property search, detailed tenant guides, new home development insights, informative blogs and comprehensive area guides. All designed to save you time and make your London rental property search easier.
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What you should look for in a rental property?
We advise that you create a list of requirements for your ideal rental property and match these to your available budget. This process may involve asking yourself a range of important questions to ensure you find a place that suits your needs.
Consider whether you want a furnished or unfurnished rental property, the rental duration and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Also think about the importance of outside space to you, are pets permitted, is parking available, how close are parks, bars and restaurants. Is access to good transport links essential and of course, your budget.
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Viewings
During viewings, evaluate the rental property's condition, space, and benefits. Imagine yourself living there; relaxing, making dinner, enjoying the view, commuting to work. It is you and those you live with, who will turn the rental property into a home. If there is anything you feel needs attention prior to your moving in, be sure to make it a condition of your offer.
Our office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am – 6:00 pm, and Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, but we also offer viewings outside these hours to accommodate your needs.
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Making an offer
Lettings agents must present all offers to the Landlord, with all details. In a competitive market, consider strengthening your offer with factors such as:
- Offering the highest possible rent
- Suggesting a move-in date close to the earliest availability
- Committing to a longer tenancy term
- Limiting requests for changes
For fairness, Circa London operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. We do not take multiple offers and create bidding wars.
To secure the freedom to negotiate your offer we will request a holding deposit, equal to one week’s rent, to withdraw the rental property from the market. We will present this offer to the Landlord for consideration and negotiate with both parties, if necessary. If an agreement cannot be reached, the holding deposit is promptly refunded in full. Assuming the offer is accepted (subjected to contract), we conduct reference and credit checks through an independent third-party company and prepare the agreements.
Our friendly Lettings Team is committed to offering an excellent service, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience and have a track record of successfully matching hundreds of tenants to their ideal rental homes
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FAQs
The process typically includes credit checks, address verification, bank details confirmation, and references from previous Landlords. Be upfront about any past issues, like a poor credit rating or disputes, as honesty speeds up the process and improves your chances.
Reference agencies usually require your annual income to be 30 times the monthly rent (e.g., for a £2,000/month property, your income must be at least £60,000). If you don’t meet this, a guarantor, resident in the UK, earning three times the annual rent, may be needed.
To avoid delays, have all necessary documents ready, including proof of income, bank statements, and references. Let your referees know they’ll be contacted to help speed up the process.
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- Reservation fee (up to one week’s rent)
- Deposits (up to five weeks’ rent for annual rent under £50,000)
- Payments for early termination of the tenancy
- Payments for addendums to the tenancy agreement
- All utilities, communication services, TV licence, council tax, heating and cooling charges etc.
- Interest on late rent (up to 3% above the Bank of England's base rate)
- Replacement of lost keys or security devices
- Contractual damages in the event of tenant default
- Any other payments allowed under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
The Deposit
Circa London Sales & Lettings will place your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Service. It will be returned at the end of the tenancy, subject to any agreed deductions and the rent having been paid in full.
Propertymark Conduct & Membership Rules
Prior to the tenancy beginning, we’ll arrange for an inventory clerk to check the rental property, assess the rental property's condition, contents, and metre readings. You’ll be sent the inventory report shortly after the move date. You then 7 days to review, make any comments, sign and return it to us.
Be sure to, notify utility companies that you're now responsible for the bills and inform the local council that you are now responsible for the Council Tax. While the Landlord insures the rental property and any included furniture, it’s highly recommended to get insurance for your personal belongings.
If we manage the rental property, you’ll receive a welcome letter with contact details for any issues. Be sure to set up timely rent payments to avoid reminders or complications.
For any questions about your tenancy agreement, payments, or renewals, contact Circa London Lettings, and we’ll be happy to help.
If you have a pet, be sure to review your tenancy agreement for any clauses related to pets.
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Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) schemes ensure tenants' deposits are protected from unfair deductions by landlords, promoting transparency and reducing disputes.
When a tenant pays a deposit, the landlord must place it in a TDP scheme within 30 days. At the end of the tenancy, both parties agree on the refund amount. If there’s a dispute, the scheme will make a binding decision.
TDP schemes ensure a fair process for both tenants and landlords.
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With years of experience in the rental market, Circa London Sales & Lettings understands that Tenant insurance is needed. It isn't just about protecting your personal belongings; it also safeguards your interests with standard tenant liability coverage. So, let's dive into the essentials of tenant insurance and why it's essential for renters.
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- Keeping the property clean and well-maintained
- Tidying up outdoor spaces
- Replacing lightbulbs
- Preventing blockages in sinks and drains
- Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Ensuring proper ventilation to avoid damp and mould
- Paying rent on time and forwarding any mail for the landlord
Landlords and letting agents must provide reasonable notice (usually 24 hours) before conducting inspections.
If the current tenant is around during your viewing, ask about their monthly bills, to get a better idea of your potential costs. Our team can always give you an idea of your likely outgoings but of course, these are also dependent on your usage.
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Number one, thoroughly read your Tenancy Agreement: The tenancy agreement is the most important document for renters. It outlines the terms and conditions of the rental, such as, who is responsible for which bills and insurance, together with each party's obligations. Before signing the agreement, it's crucial to read the fine print and ask any questions you may have to clarify any doubts. Remember, the tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between you and the landlord, and if you breach the conditions, the landlord can legally evict you.
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Blogs
Why Southwark's place on the Sunday Times 2026 'Best Places To Live' list comes as no surprise to us
Why Historic Homes Around Bankside and Roupell Street Are Southwark’s Best Kept Secrets for Buyers
​​​How Hybrid Working Is Redefining Property Demand in London
What started as a temporary solution during lockdowns has quietly reshaped how people choose where and how they live in London. And it’s not a short-term shift. It’s structural.
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