Renting in London

The Rented & Rated Blog

Tips, rights updates, and honest advice for London renters — written by people who've been there.

🛒 Shopping guide

Living room must-haves for renters 2025 — no damage, all style

The best renter-friendly living room products available on Amazon UK — from battery wall sconces to removable wallpaper. Everything you need without risking your deposit.

Deposits

How to get your full deposit back — 8 things to do before you move out

Most deposit disputes are avoidable. Here's exactly what to do in the final weeks of your tenancy to maximise your chances of a full return — and what to do if your landlord still makes deductions.

Repairs

My landlord won't fix the heating — what can I actually do?

A broken boiler in winter isn't just inconvenient — it's illegal for your landlord to leave it unfixed. Here's a step-by-step guide to escalating, from polite email to local council complaint.

Moving in

10 things to photograph when you move into a rental (and why it matters)

Most deposit disputes come down to one thing: who can prove what the property looked like at the start of the tenancy. These are the photos you need to take on day one.

Red flags

7 red flags to look for at a property viewing — before you sign anything

Viewings are short and landlords put their best foot forward. Here's what to look for beyond the fresh paint and tidied surfaces — the things that reveal how a property is really managed.

Mould & damp

Is my landlord responsible for mould? The answer is almost always yes

Mould is one of the most common — and most contested — issues in rental properties. Since Awaab's Law, landlords have strict legal obligations. Here's what they must do and when.

London market

The best and worst London boroughs for renters in 2025

Using data from our platform and public sources, we ranked London's 33 boroughs by deposit dispute rates, maintenance response times, and overall tenant satisfaction scores.