Rent Without Letting Agent Fees in the UK | Homesty Guide
Discover how to rent in the UK without letting agent fees. Learn safe, transparent alternatives and how Homesty makes renting affordable for all.
Who does this relate to
Landlords
Service Provided
Be aware
Timeline
All the time
Introduction
Renting in the UK has never been more expensive. Rising house prices, shrinking supply, and increased demand mean tenants are already stretched to their limits. Add letting agent fees on top, and both tenants and landlords feel the pressure.
The good news? Renting without paying agent fees is possible. With new peer-to-peer platforms, you can connect directly with landlords or tenants, avoid hidden costs, and keep the rental process simple and safe.
This guide walks you through:
What letting agent fees really are
Why many people are choosing to avoid them
How direct rentals and peer-to-peer apps like Homesty work
Step-by-step instructions to rent securely without an agent
How to protect yourself against scams
What Are Letting Agent Fees?
Letting agent fees are charges applied by rental agencies to cover “services” like:
Tenant referencing
Credit checks
Contract preparation or renewal
Admin and management fees
Even though tenant fees were banned in England in 2019, landlords still face significant costs when using traditional agents — costs often passed on in higher rent.
Typical letting agent fees include:
Tenant find fee: Usually 8–12% of annual rent or can be a fixed introduction fee
Full management fee: Often 12–15% of monthly rent
Renewal fee: Sometimes charged each year
For a landlord renting a £1,200/month flat, agent fees can still run into thousands every year.
The Problem with Letting Agents
While some agents offer genuine support, many landlords and tenants feel frustrated by:
Lack of transparency: Hidden charges and unclear breakdowns.
High costs: Eating into rental yield or inflating tenant costs.
Slow communication: Middlemen often delay resolutions.
Conflicting priorities: Agents serve their own bottom line first.
Tip: Try the Agent Fee Calculator to see how much you could save by cutting out the middleman.
Renting Without Letting Agents — Your Options
You don’t have to use a letting agent to find or manage a rental. Here are your main alternatives:
1. Rent Direct from a Landlord
Landlords can advertise on listing sites, social platforms, or peer-to-peer apps. Tenants negotiate directly, cutting costs.
2. Peer-to-Peer Rental Platforms
Apps like Homesty connect landlords and tenants securely, without agents or hidden fees.
3. Short-Term Private Rentals
Some landlords prefer flexible arrangements, often through online platforms, without agency involvement.
✅ Pros: Lower costs, more transparency, direct communication.
⚠️ Cons: Risk of scams or informal contracts if not using a secure platform.
How Homesty Makes Renting Transparent and Fair
Homesty was built to fix these problems. Here’s how it works:
No upfront card required — landlords only pay £39 if a tenant moves in.
Right to Rent-compliant contracts — powered by DocuSign.
Secure payments — managed via Stripe.
Privacy protected — no sharing of personal phone numbers.
Tenant safety — communication stays on-platform for accountability.
Explore our Pricing or FAQ for details.
Step-by-Step: How to Rent Without Paying Letting Agent Fees
Download the Homesty app (iOS or Android).
Set up your profile as a tenant or landlord.
Browse matches — swipe to connect with verified tenants or landlords.
Agree terms within the app (rent, deposit, move-in date).
Sign your tenancy contract digitally via DocuSign.
Move in — safe, secure, and agent-free.
Safety First — Avoiding Rental Scams
Unfortunately, direct renting can expose people to fraud. According to The Guardian, rental scams are on the rise, with fraudsters exploiting platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.
Red flags to watch for:
Landlord refuses in-person viewings.
Requests for deposits before signing a contract.
Suspiciously low rent prices.
How Homesty protects you:
Contracts signed only within the app.
Verified landlord and tenant profiles.
Secure payments, no cash handovers.
Read more in our blog: Rental Safety with Homesty.
Tenant & Landlord Savings Example
Let’s compare a typical letting agent vs. Homesty:
Scenario | Letting Agent | Homesty |
|---|---|---|
Tenant find fee | £1,440 (10% of annual rent on £1,200/month property) | £39 |
Contract | £200 renewal fee | Included |
Monthly management fee | £180 (15% of rent) | £0 |
Total annual cost | £3,800+ | £39 |
FAQs
Is it legal to rent without an agent in the UK?
Yes. As long as contracts and Right to Rent checks are completed, you don’t need an agent.
What protections do I have as a tenant?
Using Homesty ensures contracts are legal and payments secure.
How do landlords ensure tenants are reliable?
Homesty includes verification and optional tenant screening.
What makes Homesty different from Gumtree, OpenRent, or SpareRoom?
Homesty combines affordability with safety — no agent fees, no mobile number sharing, secure in-app contracts and payments.
Conclusion
Letting agent fees are no longer a necessity. By renting directly, you can save thousands, build stronger tenant-landlord relationships, and keep the process transparent.
With Homesty, you get all the benefits of peer-to-peer renting without the risks. No hidden fees. No middlemen. Just safe, fair rentals.
