How to Find and Keep Great Tenants in London

Letting property in London has always offered good rewards for landlords who choose wisely and manage their properties well. According to the ONS, average private rents in London reached £2,290 per month in April 2026, compared to a national average of £1,381, so the financial case for letting in the capital remains strong. The challenge, as ever, is finding the right tenants and encouraging them to stay.

Our lettings teams across Westminster, London Bridge, Kennington and Clapham are in the market every day, and we've seen first-hand what makes the difference.

Here's what we'd share with any landlord, whether you're just starting out or looking to get more from an existing portfolio.

Why your target tenant should come first

Buying a property to let is quite different to buying a home for yourself, and it pays to approach the two decisions differently. Before you begin your search in earnest, it's worth spending some time thinking about the kind of tenant you want to attract, because that will shape almost every decision that follows.

Students generally want to be within easy reach of their college or university. Older tenants appreciate being close to doctors' surgeries, good local shops and community amenities. Families are guided above all by school catchment areas and access to parks, while young professionals tend to gravitate towards lively, well-connected areas with plenty going on nearby.

Knowing your likely tenant from the outset helps you choose the right property, present it in the right way and set a rent that reflects genuine local demand.

What do tenants need to feel settled?

A useful exercise is to put yourself in your tenant's position. What would make you feel secure and comfortable in a rented home? Good communication and a well-maintained property go a long way.

Building a strong relationship with your tenants from the start is one of the most effective ways of encouraging them to stay on, and long-term tenants are invariably good for business.

If you opt for our property management service, we'll keep in regular contact with your tenants on your behalf, carrying out scheduled visits and dealing with any issues promptly. It's reassuring for tenants to know the property is being looked after, and it means problems are caught early before they have a chance to become more serious or costly.

Energy efficiency and what the new legislation means for landlords

Today's renters are acutely aware of energy costs, and a well-insulated, draught-free home is a genuine attraction rather than simply a box to tick. It also matters more than ever from a compliance perspective.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025, which came fully into force on 1 May 2026, has introduced the most significant changes to the private rented sector in a generation. Fixed-term tenancies have been replaced with rolling periodic contracts, Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished, and rent increases are now limited to once a year through a formal notice process. Landlords can request no more than one month's rent in advance, and rental bidding has been outlawed.

On energy standards specifically, the government has confirmed it will raise the requirement for rented properties to EPC C, with all tenancies needing to comply by 1 October 2030. The associated cost cap is set to rise from £3,500 to £10,000 per property (or 10% of the property's value for homes worth under £100,000). This places a greater responsibility on landlords to improve their properties to the required rating, and attending to this sooner rather than later is likely to be the more cost-effective approach.

The value of good presentation

A property in a good location will always attract interest, but if it isn't in excellent condition, it may not command the best rent. High standards really do matter when it comes to maximising your returns.

A freshly decorated home in neutral colours always makes a good impression, but tired kitchens and bathrooms can put prospective tenants off, and these are the rooms that are hardest to improve while someone is living in the property.

Carrying out any necessary work at the outset is almost always worthwhile; a well-presented property lets more quickly and spends less time empty.

Getting your property in front of the right people

Even the most appealing property needs to be seen by the right people. Professional photography and well-crafted marketing copy both play their part, but a good letting agent brings something more besides: a network of contacts and a detailed knowledge of who is looking, and what they need.

At Daniel Cobb, we've been building relationships with tenants across our areas for over thirty years. When a suitable property comes to market, we already have a database of registered tenants actively looking in the area, which means we can move quickly to find the right match. It's that kind of local knowledge that helps our landlords find the right tenant quickly and avoid the cost of a property sitting empty.

A few common questions

We're often asked similar questions by landlords thinking through their lettings strategy, so here are quick answers to the ones that come up most.

Do I need to reach EPC C right now?
Not yet. The current legal minimum for rented properties remains EPC E. A higher EPC C standard has been confirmed for all tenancies, with a compliance date of 1 October 2030, though the regulations bringing this into force are still being finalised.

How much will I need to spend to reach EPC C?
Once the new standard takes effect, the cost cap will be £10,000 per property, or 10% of the property's value for those worth under £100,000. The legal cost cap that applies under the current EPC E standard remains £3,500.

What happens if I spend up to the cap and still don't reach EPC C?
Landlords who reach the cost cap without achieving EPC C will be able to register an exemption valid for 10 years, allowing the property to continue being let during that period.

Is it better to wait and see how the rules settle before doing any work?
This depends on the individual property, so it's worth talking it through with one of our teams before deciding on timing.

Does a well-presented property really make that much difference to how quickly it lets?
It's something our lettings teams consistently see make a difference, though every property and market is a little different.

Is it worth using a letting agent rather than advertising the property myself?
A letting agent with local market knowledge and an established network of registered tenants can often help match a suitable property more quickly, based on what we see in the areas we cover.

What can I do to encourage a tenant to stay long term?
Clear communication and a well-maintained property tend to support tenant retention, and many landlords also find a property management service helps keep things running smoothly.

Get in touch

If you'd like to talk through any aspect of letting your property, our experienced teams in Westminster, London Bridge, Kennington and Clapham would be very happy to help. Simply get in touch and let us know how we can assist.

The blog was updated on 16/07/2026.