If you are looking for the best online letting agent, the most important thing is to compare what you actually need. Some landlords only need Rightmove advertising. Others want help with the full tenancy setup, including referencing, tenancy agreements, deposit registration and compliance. letlaunch is designed to give landlords both options in one simple, fixed-fee service.

What is an online letting agent?

An online letting agent helps landlords advertise their rental property and, depending on the service, may also help with tenant referencing, tenancy paperwork, deposits and compliance. Unlike a traditional high street letting agent, an online letting agent is more affordable and gives landlords more control over the process.

What makes the best online letting agent?

The best online letting agent should make it easy for landlords to find tenants, stay in control and avoid unnecessary high street letting agent fees. It should also be clear about pricing, simple to use and able to support landlords beyond just advertising if they need help setting up the tenancy properly.

1. Compare whether Rightmove advertising is included

For many landlords, Rightmove advertising is one of the most important features to compare. Tenants often search online first, so getting your rental property in front of active tenants can make a big difference when trying to reduce void periods and generate enquiries. Rightmove takes up over 85% of tenant enquiries, so it is important that your property listing is on Rightmove in order to receive high quality applicants. With letlaunch, landlords can advertise their rental property on Rightmove from only £49. This makes it a simple and cost-effective option if you just need online exposure without paying traditional letting agent fees.

2. Compare the price

Online letting agent pricing can vary, so landlords should check exactly what is included before choosing a service. A low headline price may not always include the features you need, while a more expensive service may include support you do not actually want. Our Rightmove Advertising Only package is £49, and our Full Tenancy Setup package is £149. Both are fixed fees, helping landlords understand the cost from the start.

3. Tenant referencing

Finding a tenant is not just about receiving enquiries. Landlords also need to assess whether an applicant is suitable before moving forward. Tenant referencing can help landlords review important information before agreeing a tenancy. With letlaunch's Full Tenancy Setup package, unlimited tenant and guarantor referencing is included (which no other platform offers), with features such as credit checks, employment verification, and a previous landlord reference. This offer is especially useful to manage costs if a tenancy falls through or if you need to reference more than one applicant before choosing the right tenant, as all other platforms and agents charge on a per reference basis.

4. Review tenancy agreement support

Once you have found a tenant, the tenancy needs to be set up correctly. This usually includes preparing the tenancy agreement, arranging signature and making sure the important tenancy details are recorded properly. Most tenancy agreements nowadays are signed with electronic signatures, such as DocuSign.

5. Deposit registration and move-in support

Deposit handling is another important area to compare. Before a tenant moves in, landlords need to think about the holding deposit, first month's rent, tenancy deposit and deposit registration. These steps can be admin-heavy if you are doing everything yourself. Your chosen letting agent should be partnered with a deposit protection provider to ensure compliance with legislation - letlaunch uses the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).

6. Tenancy compliance

Landlords need to make sure the property and tenancy are correctly compliant before move-in. Compliance can include safety checks, required documents, deposit rules, right to rent checks, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and other tenancy setup requirements. letlaunch includes property compliance support within the Full Tenancy Setup package, ensuring landlords do not need to stress over compliance and new regulations.

7. Compare whether the service is built for landlords like you

The best online letting agent for one landlord may not be the best for another. Some landlords want full management. Others only need advertising. Many self-managing landlords want the middle ground: low-cost advertising plus help with the important tenancy setup steps. This is exactly where letlaunch stands out. It is designed for landlords who want to save money, stay in control and avoid traditional letting agent fees, while still having access to powerful tools for advertising, referencing, agreements, deposits and compliance.

Online letting agent comparison checklist

Before choosing an online letting agent, landlords should ask these questions:

• Does the service include Rightmove advertising?
• Is the pricing clear and fixed?
• Can I manage enquiries and viewings myself?
• Can I choose the tenant directly?
• Is tenant and guarantor referencing included?
• Is tenancy agreement generation included?
• Can the tenancy agreement be signed digitally?
• Is deposit registration included?
• Does the service help with property compliance?

Why letlaunch is the best online letting agent for self-managing landlords

letlaunch is the best choice for landlords who want a simple, fixed-fee way to advertise their property, find tenants and set up the tenancy without paying traditional high street letting agent fees. Instead of forcing landlords into an expensive or overly complicated service, letlaunch gives you two clear options.

1. Rightmove Advertising Only: Ideal if you just need your property advertised on Rightmove and are happy to manage the rest yourself.
2. Full Tenancy Setup: Ideal if you want Rightmove advertising plus comprehensive support with referencing, tenancy agreements, deposit registration and compliance.

This makes letlaunch the ideal online letting agent for landlords who want to stay in control, save money and still set up the tenancy properly.