FindMyNextStay

Tenants decide in a few seconds whether to open an ad, and in under a minute whether to reply. A clear, honest advert brings fewer time-wasters and better tenants, and it costs nothing extra to write. Here is how to do it, with a template at the end.

1. A title that says what, where and why

Put the three things people search for into the title: the size, the type and one real advantage. Leave out capital letters and exclamation marks.

• Weak: Lovely flat, must see
• Better: Bright 2-bed flat with balcony, 5 minutes from the station

2. A description in four short parts

1. The home: rooms, floor, furnished or not, heating, garden or balcony, parking.
2. The area: minutes on foot to the station, shops, schools or the park. Real numbers beat words like convenient.
3. The money: the rent, the deposit, which bills are included and the council tax band if you know it.
4. The practical details: the date it is available, and how to arrange a viewing.

Be honest about the drawbacks. If the second bedroom is small, say it is a single. People who turn up knowing the truth are the ones who sign.

3. Five photos that do the work

• Take them in daylight, with the lights on and the curtains open.
• Hold the phone sideways and stand in a corner, so each photo shows as much of the room as possible.
• Show the living room, kitchen, main bedroom, bathroom and the outside or the view.
• Tidy first: clear the worktops, close the toilet lid and move the bins.
• Put your best photo first. It is the one people see in the search results.

4. Get the rules right

If the home is in England, the Renters’ Rights Act affects what your advert can say:

• Show one set rent, and do not ask for or accept offers above it.
• Do not rule out families or people who receive benefits.
• Ask for no more than one month’s rent in advance, and only after the agreement is signed.

You also need a valid energy performance certificate before you market a home in the UK, and it is good practice to show the rating in the ad. Our summary of what the Renters’ Rights Act changed has more. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other countries, so check the ones that apply to you.

A template to copy

Title: [Size] [type] with [best feature], [distance] from [station or landmark]

A [furnished or unfurnished] [number]-bedroom [flat or house] on the [floor] of a [quiet street, modern block, period house]. It has [living room, kitchen, bathroom details], [heating] and [garden, balcony or parking].

[Station] is [number] minutes on foot, and [shops, school, park] are nearby.

Rent is [amount] per month. Deposit [amount]. [Bills included or not]. Council tax band [letter]. Available from [date].

Message me through the site to ask a question or arrange a viewing.

Post it free on FindMyNextStay

• Write my ad for me. Fill in the rooms, the price and the area, tap the button, and the site writes a title and description for you to edit.
• Up to five photos, a map pin and video links.
• Already advertised elsewhere? Paste the link and the site copies your ad in for you.
• Lots of properties? Ask for bulk upload and post them all from a spreadsheet.
• Get the Verified badge. Tenants trust verified advertisers more, and it is free.

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Sources: GOV.UK Housing Hub, Renting is changing; GOV.UK, energy performance certificates. Checked October 2026. This is general guidance, not legal advice.