Set your priorities before you search
It's tempting to cast the net wide, but properties move fast. You'll be more decisive — and more
attractive to landlords — if you know exactly what you need before you start.
Rank these in order of importance for you:
- Location — commute time, proximity to schools, transport links
- Price — maximum monthly rent including bills if applicable
- Size — number of bedrooms, whether you need a garden or parking
- Furnished vs unfurnished — some landlords will remove furniture on request
- Pets — if you have or plan to get a pet, filter for pet-friendly properties upfront. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a pet request.
Searching on heyzoobie
Use the search bar to filter by location, price range, number of bedrooms, and property type.
Listings are posted directly by independent landlords, so you're getting properties that may not
appear on larger portals.
Move fast. Good properties in popular areas can receive multiple enquiries within
hours of listing. If you see something that fits, send an enquiry the same day.
Viewing checklist
A viewing is your one chance to inspect a property properly. Go with a list so you don't forget
anything in the excitement.
Things to check on every viewing
- Run the hot water taps — check pressure and how quickly hot water arrives
- Test the boiler and all radiators (even in summer)
- Open windows and doors — look for damp, mould, or condensation in the seals
- Check the walls and ceiling corners in bathrooms and kitchens for black mould
- Test every socket and light switch
- Check broadband availability — Ofcom's checker gives indicative speeds for the postcode
- Look at the condition of white goods if included
- Find out where the bins are stored and collection days
- Check mobile signal inside the property
- Visit at different times of day if possible — check noise levels from neighbours/roads
Questions to ask the landlord
- Who handles repairs? Is it the landlord directly, or a managing agent?
- What's the average monthly utility cost? Poorly insulated properties can be expensive to heat.
- What is the council tax band? You can verify this on the VOA website.
- How long has the property been empty? A long void period can indicate a problem.
- Why did the previous tenants leave? Landlords aren't obliged to say, but many will.
- What notice period is in the tenancy agreement?
- Is the deposit protected? It legally must be, but it's worth confirming which scheme.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019
In England, landlords and agents are banned from charging tenants most fees.
The only permitted payments are:
- Rent
- A refundable tenancy deposit (capped at 5 weeks' rent, or 6 weeks if annual rent exceeds £50,000)
- A refundable holding deposit (capped at 1 week's rent)
- Changes to the tenancy requested by you (capped at £50)
- Early termination fees (if you request it)
- Utilities and council tax where it's your responsibility
- Late payment charges (only after 14 days, capped at 3% above Bank of England base rate)
If you're asked to pay a viewing fee, admin fee, referencing fee, or any other charge not on this list,
you can report it to your local Trading Standards office. It is illegal.
Holding deposit
Once you've found a property and the landlord agrees to proceed, they may ask for a holding deposit
of up to one week's rent. This reserves the property for you while referencing is completed — it must be
refunded (or put towards your first rent/deposit) unless you withdraw from the tenancy, provide false information,
or fail a Right to Rent check.
Get everything in writing. Confirm the holding deposit amount, what it covers, and the deadline
for completing referencing via email before you transfer any money.