The major UK property portals for renting & buying as a new arrival
Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket together carry almost every rental and for-sale listing in the UK. Here's how each one works, what they're best for, and how to use them effectively if you're unfamiliar with the UK market.
Browse providers ↓Online Housing Portals providers
Every provider below has been reviewed by our editorial team before listing.
2 providers listed
The UK's largest property portal with the widest inventory of rental and for-sale listings. The first port of call for most property searches — set up email alerts for new listings matching your criteria and respond quickly, as good rentals in major cities let within 24–72 hours.
A strong alternative to Rightmove with a largely overlapping inventory, plus valuation data and neighbourhood insights. Zoopla's area comparison tools help you research commute times, schools and local amenities before committing to a neighbourhood — especially useful for expats unfamiliar with UK geography.
Agency-owned portal that often receives new listings 24–48 hours before they appear on Rightmove and Zoopla, under its 'only with us' rule. Running a saved search on OnTheMarket alongside Rightmove gives you a genuine first-mover advantage in competitive rental markets.
Specialist new-build property portal covering housing developments across the UK. If you're considering buying new rather than second-hand — often attractive for expats who want a predictable condition and warranty — this portal aggregates developments that don't always appear prominently on Rightmove.
No providers match your filters.
Clear all filters to see all providers, or
suggest a provider →
More providers being reviewed.
Apply for a listing →
All portal links on this page are direct editorial links. Moving to the UK does not earn a commission on these referrals. They are listed based on their usefulness to expats searching for UK property.
How to use UK property portals as a new arrival
If you're used to property markets in the US, Australia or continental Europe, the UK rental market will feel extremely fast-moving. In cities like London, Bristol and Edinburgh, well-priced rentals in desirable areas frequently receive 10–20 enquiries within hours of listing. Speed of response genuinely matters.
The recommended strategy for most expats is to run simultaneous saved searches on both Rightmove and OnTheMarket with email alerts set to "instant" rather than daily. When a listing appears that matches your criteria, contact the agent immediately — don't wait to deliberate. Most agents will arrange viewings within 24 hours of a first contact, and decisions are expected quickly.
Zoopla's area comparison tools are particularly valuable for expats who haven't lived in the UK before. You can compare average commute times, school ratings, crime data and average rental prices by postcode — helping you identify which areas represent the best combination of price, commute and quality of life for your specific circumstances.
For new builds, note that many developments are sold directly by the developer or through specialist new-build agents and don't appear prominently on Rightmove or Zoopla. New Homes for Sale aggregates these listings in one place, and buying off-plan can give you a longer lead time to organise finances and your move.
More Housing services
View all Housing →Online Housing Portals — FAQs
List your portal in our Housing directory
Reach thousands of expats researching UK property every month. Portals, listing services and property search tools welcome.
Apply for a listing →