Seller & landlord listing guide

Practical help for sellers & landlords

Go to the listing form

Create a useful, accurate property advert, from the first photo to the final check. Start with the facts you can verify, save a draft and build it up in order.

In this guide
Guidance checked 9 November 2026

Rental listings in England

This chapter covers preparing a residential rental advert for England, the current rental-publishing scope of Property Elfs. It does not establish that a particular tenancy or property is compliant. Other UK nations are not enabled for rental publishing in this release.

Fill in the money and availability clearly

  • Choose To rent. Enter a specific rent and select the matching weekly or calendar-monthly period in Rental information.
  • State the tenancy deposit, or enter zero if none is requested. Check the applicable legal limit; do not confuse a tenancy deposit with a holding deposit.
  • Choose the genuine available-from date and the correct furnishing description.
  • Say which bills are included and which are paid separately, including council tax, energy, water and any other recurring costs.
  • Use an accurate status: available, let agreed or let. Update it when the situation changes.

Before you invite enquiries

Check your landlord responsibilities, property licensing, safety and energy-efficiency requirements with the relevant authority or qualified adviser. Supply the EPC rating and explain any applicable exemption accurately. A licence application is not the same as a licence already granted.

For tenancies covered by England’s rental-bidding rules, written adverts must state a specific rent; landlords must not encourage or accept rent above the advertised amount. Do not use “offers over”, a bidding range or a higher-rent competition.

Further guidance: GOV.UK: rental bidding in England (new tab).

Describe the home, not your preferred type of person

Describe facilities, access, space and objective terms. Do not use discriminatory wording or blanket exclusions such as “no children” or “no benefits”. Check current requirements on pets and the terms you may lawfully apply instead of inventing restrictions in the advert.

Fictional rental wording structure

“[Bedroom count] [property type] in [area], available from [checked date], [furnishing]. Rent is £[amount] per [calendar month/week]. The tenancy deposit is £[amount]. [Name included bills]; [name bills paid separately]. [Explain parking, access, facilities and any material limitations].”

Replace every bracket and check all amounts. Do not copy figures from someone else’s advert.

Use the contact settings to choose messages or your selected public details. You manage enquiries, appointments and tenancy decisions yourself. Property Elfs does not collect rent or deposits or select tenants. Viewing Manager is optional; a prospective tenant does not pay Property Elfs to enquire or request a viewing.

Further guidance: GOV.UK: landlord responsibilities (new tab).

Further guidance: GOV.UK: current renters’ rights in England (new tab).

This is help with preparing an advert and using Property Elfs, not a valuation, survey or legal check. The legal links identify their geographic scope. Requirements differ across the UK; get suitable advice for your property. Elfs can explain the website, but do not prepare property particulars, advise on the sale or run viewings for you.