How to find a home to rent with a private landlord, why this may be the best option for you, and how we can help.
Renting from a private landlord
Finding a home that you can afford to rent doesn't have to mean finding a council or housing association property. There are many other properties in Bristol which are available to rent from a private landlord.
A private landlord is someone who owns one or more properties that they rent out to tenants.
Why rent with a private landlord
There are many advantages to renting privately:
- There are no waiting lists, so you'll be able to move in quickly
- You can choose where you live in the city, and you can move to a different area if you want
- There are many different types of property available, from one-bedroom or studio flats to houses big enough for large families
- The properties will usually be well decorated and carpeted; this is often not the case with social housing
- The properties often come with a fridge, freezer, cooker and washing machine
- If you're on a low income, you may be entitled to benefits which will cover some or all of your rent
Where to find a property
You can find properties to rent by:
- searching for local letting agencies online
- checking websites, such as:
- Zoopla
- Gumtree
- Rightmove
- Primelocation
- Spareroom
- checking local newspapers
- speaking to the accommodation offices at UWE or Bristol University, if you're a student
- social media buy and sell local pages
- speaking to friends and family
View the property
Once you find a suitable property, you'll need to go and have a look at it.
It's a good idea to take a list of things to check so you don't forget about anything when you're there.
We can help
We can help you find a home with a private landlord if you're homeless or threatened with homelessness.
We can:
- give you advice on how to look for a property
- talk to a potential landlord on your behalf
- help you prepare for your appointment with the landlord to give you a better chance of getting a property
- help you find furniture
In some cases, we can:
- offer financial help with our deposit bond scheme, an interest free loan with repayment terms of up to five years
- help with rent in advance and deposit
- help to buy furniture essentials
What you can do now
If you'd like more advice, email
If you want to be considered for financial help you'll need to be referred by a Housing Advisor. They will check to see if you qualify for the deposit bond scheme.
Homes to rent for older and vulnerable people
What is a private landlord?
Private landlords or independent landlords are the ultimate property owners. They have complete control of their properties and often don’t use a real estate listing agent or private management company.
Landlords come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some are professionals who manage multiple properties in order to profit from their investments, while others simply want to provide affordable housing options for those who need it the most, such as low-income families or seniors on fixed incomes. Others may be inexperienced investors with only one rental property. They might have inherited it or purchased it for their children to help them get on the property ladder.
Throughout the process, an independent landlord markets the property and maintains direct contact with tenants. The landlord will then handle any inquiries from potential renters and set up viewings for them so they can decide what’s best for both parties—all before signing a lease.
How to find private landlords?
Now that you have a little background of private landlords and how they are much more independent compared to property management companies, you may now ask where and how to meet one.
If you’re looking to rent a property directly from the landlord, you’ll want to make your search as broad and varied as possible. Because a private landlord likely will use an estate agent, their advertisements may not appear on large portals that only list major properties (and which also charge hefty fees). They prefer smaller classified ad websites that cater to more specific needs, such as studio flats, small apartments, and single-family homes.
There are hundreds of dedicated property rental websites online that provide ample information about the property, such as floor size, window view, nearby attractions, and more. You’ll also be able to see some reviews, 3D walk-throughs, videos, and mapping, giving you the impression that you’ve been on the property even if you haven’t.
We have listed some of these below to further help you find your private landlord.
- Social Media (Facebook/ IG/ Twitter/ Pinterest/Tiktok)
Yes, I know I said there are dedicated rental websites, but we’re going to start with something that isn’t – social media. We all (or at least the majority of us) have a social media account, and it’s where independent landlords usually post about their listings first. You’d be surprised how many private landlords post their rental properties on non-housing websites.
Private landlords may even create an infographic with information about the properties that will appeal to tenants. And, because social media posts are easily viewable by anyone if they are set to public, an increasing number of property owners are using this platform to advertise their properties. Using the Facebook marketplace to look for properties can be a breeze. Facebook rental groups, Instagram’s Explore page, Twitter, Pinterest, and even Tiktok are all good places to look. Social media now hosts more and more videos of luxury home tours, inspection fails, wealth management, and real estate agent tips.
Creating your own post about looking for properties can also help you get recommendations from friends. Try starting with these resources before expanding outwards, as they may be right in your comfort zone.
- Craigslist
Craigslist is a fantastic way to find affordable housing in almost any area, but it can also be difficult. It’s important that you take caution when using Craigslist because there are some shady listings on this website. Be careful with those listings and photos that look too good to be true, because they just might be.
- Apartmentlist.com
For renters, Apartment List is the ultimate destination to find their private landlords. First, you take a set of questions that helps the site match you with your ideal property- from location preference down to budget! Then it’s up-to-date listings and easy viewing which means when you find something that fits just push “Apply Now.” It doesn’t hurt either that all transactions are handled via software so there’ll never be any complicated paperwork involved or headaches trying to send checks across town at night time.
- Rentals.com
Rentals.com makes it simple for tenants to find the home of their dreams, with searches organized into condos, lofts, and duplexes! Because there is less information required about amenities, independent landlords typically provide their contact information so tenants can easily contact them if they have any additional questions.
- Trulia
Trulia is a simple and attractive site that allows private landlords to set parameters, like viewing photo listings with vital statistics about the property right underneath.
- Zillow
Zillow Rental Manager is one of the best rental listing sites to find private landlords because of the scope and reach of its data and services. The site receives heavy web traffic; it has a huge inventory and offers tons of marketing services making it one of the most convenient platforms to use for renters and landlords.
Look for “No Broker Fee” in the Listing or Search for “No Broker Fee” in the filters
Private Landlord Listing Example
- Realtor.com
Realtor.com makes it easy to search for new listings easily and keeps all your interests in one place. The site is kept updated and has very detailed information including phone numbers that are easily accessible.
- Facebook.com
Facebook.com has a Property Rentals section where you can find local listings. Search example: “Rental property near Atlanta, Georgia on Facebook”. You can use the facebook messenger to make an inquiry or reach out via the link the owner provided.
Pro Tip: Look for “No Broker Fee” or “Listed by Owner” to identify private landlords. If there is even a “small broker fee” you may not be dealing with a Private Landlord.
Facebook Rental Property Listing Example
Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Landlords
One of the best aspects of renting from a landlord is the opportunity to form a strong bond with them. If you and your private landlord get along well, they’ll be more willing to assist you when things go wrong and may forgive an honest mistake or miscommunication in terms of missed rent payments – even if it’s only for one day! As a result, landlords become more approachable rather than being strict about rules, which makes tenants happy because they can now talk about issues like scratches and dents without feeling guilty.
Other Advantages include:
- Avoid admin fees (e.g. background checks) and realtor fees when finding the apartment- you’ll be dealing directly with the owner instead of a company’s administration team.
- Cheaper and more flexible rental rates – private landlords may be more open to negotiating.
- Less pressure on your credit score – some landlords may only do a background check or soft credit check.
- Flexible deposit arrangements – private landlords have more power to work with you to find a deposit agreement that fits you both.
Some disadvantages include:
- Less knowledgeable or experienced with tenant and property management – If the landlords are new or “accidental” landlords, they may not be aware of their legal obligations and responsibilities. Make sure you know your tenant rights in these situations. There are several online resources available to you such as LegalZoom or RocketLawyer.
- Informal agreements – Private landlords may offer handshake deals, which you should avoid.
- Inconsistent Responsiveness – Private landlords may not be as responsive as a property manager when it comes to maintenance and repairs because they may not have the right tools and systems in place to manage tenant communication (e.g. email, emergency phone line).