How to Let a Property Without an Agent: 2026 Step-by-Step

You don’t need a letting agent to let your property. Thousands of landlords advertise, reference tenants, and manage tenancies themselves — saving thousands a year in fees. The process is straightforward once you know the steps. You just need the right tools and a basic understanding of landlord law.

Finding Tenants Without an Agent

List on OpenRent, SpareRoom, or Rightmove (via a listing service). Write a clear, honest advert with good photos. Screen enquiries and run viewings yourself. Our tenant screening guide covers exactly what checks to run and which red flags to watch for.

Setting Up the Tenancy

You’ll need an AST (assured shorthold tenancy agreement), deposit protection, and all the legally required documents — EPC, gas safety certificate, How to Rent guide. Our first-time landlord checklist walks through every requirement. See also the full self-managing landlord guide for the ongoing management process.

Tools That Replace Your Agent

Modern landlord software handles rent collection, maintenance tracking, document storage, and compliance reminders. Compare that to what agents charge and the maths speaks for itself. Use our rental yield calculator to see how ditching the agent improves your returns.

Full guide coming soon.