London Evening Standard launches private rentals site

Friday 15th June 2012

The London Evening Standard has launched London Private Rentals, aimed directly at landlords and cutting out agents – who are among its main advertisers.

The paper, which this week carried a 48-page Homes & Property property supplement supported by advertising from agents, describes its new offering as the first quality listing site available to landlords directly.

It says the move is part of the paper’s strategy to continue growing its digital offering and capitalise on London’s lettings market.
 
The move is a huge coup for Upad, which will power the search facility.

Upad is now an online letting agent, although it started off as a service, founded by London landlord James Davis, to cut out agents and save fees. The Standard says its new overall service will provide an improved experience for tenants and landlords.
 
The site, it says, will also provide fair and transparent lettings service, a one-off £60 application and referencing fee, accompanying photographs for each property and a team of lettings professionals on hand seven days a week.
 
James Davis said: “Upad is thrilled to be working with Evening Standard to create London Private Rentals. The UK’s first professional direct-to-market rental solution, it will allow tenants to search properties directly from London landlords, and meet them personally in a fully supported tenancy process.

“Until now, quality letting services have only been available through lettings agents. London Property Rentals changes everything, and we couldn’t be more excited.”
 
Ann O’Neill, group business development director at The Independent and London Evening Standard, said: “We are very excited to be expanding our property offering, alongside Homes & Property, to support private landlords and boost lettings searches on our site.”

For more information on Upad please visit