How to Find Rent to Rent Deals
on Rightmove and Zoopla

Why Rightmove and Zoopla Are Useful for Rent to Rent

Property portals list properties that landlords are actively trying to let. A property that has been listed for weeks or months without letting is a strong signal of a motivated landlord — someone struggling to find tenants, dealing with voids, or frustrated with the traditional letting process. For more detail, see how to find motivated landlords.

These are exactly the landlords most receptive to a rent to rent approach. You are offering them guaranteed income, no voids, and no management headaches — directly solving the problem that has kept their listing active and unlet.

How to Search Rightmove and Zoopla for Rent to Rent Opportunities

Follow this systematic search approach:

• Search by your target area — set your search to your target city or postcode area. Filter for the property type you want to offer as HMO or SA (3–5 bedroom houses or flats for HMO; 1–2 bedroom flats in city centres for SA)
• Sort by oldest listed — on Rightmove, sort results by ‘Oldest Listed’. Properties that have been sitting on the market for 3+ weeks are your primary targets
• Look for reduced price signals — properties with ‘Price Reduced’ tags have landlords who are already under pressure and more likely to consider alternative arrangements
• Note the listing agent — if the property is listed through a letting agent, approach the agent. If listed privately (directly by the landlord), approach the landlord directly. Rightmove allows direct contact with private landlords
• Track properties systematically — use a spreadsheet to track which properties you have approached, when, and the outcome. Follow up on properties that do not respond within 1–2 weeks

How to Approach Landlords You Find on Portals

When contacting a landlord whose property you have found on Rightmove or Zoopla, your message should be professional, concise, and focused on the benefit to them:

Sample email/enquiry message:

‘Hi [Name], I noticed your property at [address] has been on the market for a while. I specialise in property management in [city] and work with landlords to provide guaranteed monthly rent with zero voids and no management hassle. If you are open to a conversation, I would love to explain how this works and whether it could suit your situation. Happy to call at your convenience.’

Keep it short. The goal of the first message is to get a conversation — not to explain everything. Once you are speaking with the landlord, you can present the full proposal.