Tenants’ Frequently Asked Questions
What is RentFair?
RentFair is all you need to rent a property in London. No agents. No expensive commissions. Our service is free to tenants. We are not a letting agency and do not represent either landlords or tenants. We aim to act impartially and to be fair to all our members. Our tenancy agreement is designed with that aim in mind.
Why Register?
- By becoming a member, you can contact any landlord anonymously through our secure messaging service (just click “contact landlord” next to the property details)
- As a member, you can set up email alerts. We will email you instantly a new property is added to the site which matches your search criteria
- You will be unable to rent certain properties (full-service ads) through the site until you have registered.
What if I want to view the property?
If you find a property advertised that you like and you want to view it, you can contact the landlord safely and securely through the site and arrange a viewing. Just click on the "contact the landlord" button next to the property you'd like to view and send the landlord a message. But do you really need to view? By providing so much information, RentFair saves you time by cutting down on inconvenient viewings. If you want to know anything else, you can email the landlord and ask.
If you do wish to view the property, we recommend that you take sensible precautions. Let a friend know where you are going and never attend viewings alone.
What are Classified Ads?
Where a landlord has posted a classified ad, he/she has opted not to take up RentFair’s additional services (such as credit checks). To rent a classified ad property, you will need to contact the landlord direct (see below). RentFair will not take credit references, will not ask you for the names of referees and will not ask you to pay a holding deposit. With classified ads, you will not have the benefit of the RentFair tenancy agreement. It will be up to the Landlord to arrange this with you direct.
I found a property I like. How do I make an offer to the landlord?
Simply click on “Rent this Property” and follow the instructions. You will need to join RentFair if you are not already a member and will need to provide the email addresses of anyone who will be renting the property with you. RentFair will do the rest.
CLASSIFIED ADS: If the property is marked as a “classified ad” you will need to contact the landlord direct to make him an offer. Some landlords may provide their contact details in the classified advertisement. Alternatively, you can click on “contact the landlord” and send him/her a secure message. We recommend that, in the message, you provide brief details of yourself and anyone who will be sharing with you. You should state whether you are willing to pay the advertised rent, or are making a lower offer. You should state when you would like the tenancy to start and how long you initially intend to rent the property for.
Do I need to provide references?
Landlords may specify that they require references from anyone wanting to rent their property. If you wish to rent a property with a reference requirement, you will need to provide RentFair with the names of two separate referees. These details will be forwarded to the landlord who may choose to take up one or both references. The landlord will have 5 days in which to do this.
When replying to classified ads, RentFair will not ask you to provide referees. It will be up to the landlord to request this information from you direct.
What about credit checks?
Landlords may specify that they require a credit check on any prospective tenant (except on classified ads). If so, any tenant bidding for the property will be required to enter certain details to enable the credit check to be carried out. These details will NOT be passed to the landlord, who will only be notified as to whether you have "passed" or "failed" the site's credit test. No specific details of your credit record will be released. Please read our terms and conditions for further details.
When replying to classified ads, RentFair will not undertake credit checks.
How much does it cost?
RentFair makes no charges to tenants. Our service is entirely free to you.
How do I know I can rely on the tenancy agreement?
RentFair is run by legal people with more than 10 years’ experience in the private lettings market. The agreement used by Rentfair has also been approved by RentFair’s external solicitors specifically for our use on this site. In line with the concept of Rentfair, the tenancy agreement is designed to be fair to both landlord and tenant. Remember, we do not act for the landlord. We are not a letting agent. Details of the property, the agreed price, deposit and term will be inserted automatically. Provided the simple instructions are followed, a legally binding tenancy agreement will be created. All you need to do is print it out and sign it.
Note: RentFair does not provide tenancy agreements for classified ads. It will be up to the landlord to arrange this with you direct.
Why might I have to pay a holding deposit?
If you decide you wish to rent a property, the landlord may want to carry out credit checks or take up your references. The Landlord has 5 days in which to do this and may involve him/her in time and expense. To demonstrate that you are serious about renting the property, we will ask you at that stage to pay a small holding deposit. The deposit will be held by RentFair. It will not be passed to the Landlord provided you do not withdraw from the offer within the five day period.
Paying a holding deposit also benefits you because the property will be displayed as "under offer" on the site and no further offers will be permitted through RentFair while the landlord decides whether to rent to you.
If the landlord declines your offer to rent the property, or fails to respond within 5 days, your deposit will be refunded to you in full. If you rent the property through us, the landlord must deduct the holding deposit from your first month's rent.
You will not be asked to pay a holding deposit if responding to a classified ad.
Privacy and Security
RentFair takes your confidentiality and security seriously. We are registered under the Data Protection Act and your personal details will not be released to third parties without your consent. Should you wish to rent a property through the site it may be necessary to release certain details to credit reference agencies and, of course, to the landlord. We recommend that you read our Terms and Conditions for full details or contact us if you require further information.
Questions answered? Then start your search now