Renting in Prime Central London is a different experience to most of the wider London market. Supply is constrained, demand from well-qualified tenants is consistent and the properties that serious renters seek rarely remain available for long. Understanding the market and moving with confidence and preparation makes a significant difference to the outcome of any search.

Foster Row works with tenants looking for high-quality residential property across Marylebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Kensington, Bayswater and the surrounding areas. We take time to understand what each tenant is looking for before we begin, and we guide the process from the initial search through to the day of move-in.

Whether you are relocating from overseas, moving within London or searching for a pied-à-terre, we will manage the process with discretion, efficiency and a clear understanding of what the market can realistically offer. 

Register your search with Foster Row. 

Register With Us

Step 1 — Registering Your Search

The first step is to register your search with us. We will take a clear brief covering your preferred areas, property type, size requirements, budget and preferred move-in timeframe. Where specific requirements are important — outdoor space, a particular building type, proximity to schools or amenities — we note these at the outset.

Once registered, you will be among the first to hear about properties that match your brief, including those not publicly marketed. Our relationships with landlords and managing agents across Prime Central London give us early access to opportunities that do not reach the open portals.

Being properly registered and prepared to move quickly is not a minor advantage in this market. It is often the deciding factor.

Step 2 — Viewings

We arrange viewings at times that suit you, including weekday evenings and Saturdays where required. Before any viewing is arranged, we will have assessed the property against your brief so that your time is not spent on properties that are clearly unsuitable.

We attend all viewings and advise on the property during the visit — on its condition, the building, the neighbourhood and its positioning within the current market. Our background in structural engineering and the built environment means we are well placed to answer technical questions about a property’s specification, construction or scope for alteration.

If a property interests you, we will advise on timing. In a competitive market, the decision of when to make an offer is as important as the offer itself.

Step 3 — Making an Offer

When you are ready to proceed on a property, we will advise on an appropriate offer based on current market conditions, comparable rental evidence and the specific circumstances of that instruction. An offer in this market is not simply a question of rent — it also includes your proposed start date, intended tenancy length and any specific requirements you wish to raise before the agreement is drawn up.

We present your offer to the landlord or their agent clearly and professionally, and manage the negotiation on your behalf. If the landlord receives multiple expressions of interest, we will advise you on how to proceed.

Step 4 — Referencing

Once an offer has been accepted, the referencing process begins. This covers income verification, employment references, previous landlord references and a credit check. Every adult named on the tenancy agreement is required to complete referencing.

To move through referencing efficiently, have the following prepared in advance:

• Passport or national identity document
• Proof of current address (utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months)
• Employer contact details and, where relevant, a letter confirming your position and salary
• Contact details for your current or most recent landlord or agent
• If self-employed, two to three years of accounts or a letter from your accountant

If your referencing is likely to present specific challenges — recently relocated from overseas, between roles, or a company tenant — speak to us early. There are often solutions, including a guarantor or alternative tenancy structuring, that can be arranged before referencing formally begins.

Right to Rent checks are a legal requirement for all adult occupants. We will confirm what documentation is required for your specific circumstances.

Step 5 — The Tenancy Agreement

Once referencing has been completed satisfactorily, the tenancy agreement is prepared. Most residential lettings are currently granted under an AST, though this framework is changing under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Certain tenancies — particularly those involving corporate tenants or embassies — may be structured under a company let or non-Housing Act agreement.

Read the agreement in full before signing. If any provision is unclear, raise it before you sign rather than after. A holding deposit is capped at one week’s rent and must be returned within fifteen days if the tenancy does not proceed — unless you withdraw, provide false information or fail referencing.

Step 6 — Before Move-In

Initial Payments

Initial payments typically include the first month’s rent in advance and the security deposit. The deposit is capped at five weeks’ rent for tenancies below £50,000 per annum. For higher-value tenancies, no statutory cap applies though six weeks is conventional. All payments must be cleared before keys are released.

Deposit Protection

Your deposit must be registered with a government-approved scheme within 30 days of payment. You will receive prescribed information confirming where your deposit is held. Keep this documentation safely.

Inventory

An inventory and schedule of condition is prepared by an independent clerk before you move in. Review it carefully and raise any discrepancies promptly — condition issues not noted at the start may be attributed to you at the end.

Compliance Documents

Before the tenancy begins you should receive copies of the Gas Safety Certificate, EICR, EPC and the Government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide. 

Step 7 — During the Tenancy

Your principal obligations are to pay rent on time, maintain the property in a reasonable condition and report maintenance issues promptly. Prompt reporting protects both parties — early intervention is almost always less disruptive and less costly than delayed repair.

Rent

Rent is normally paid monthly in advance by standing order. If you anticipate any difficulty, communicate with Foster Row immediately rather than allowing arrears to accumulate.

Maintenance and Repairs

Landlords are legally responsible for the structure, exterior, heating, hot water, sanitary installations and electrical wiring. Tenants are responsible for interior decoration and keeping the property in a clean and well-maintained condition. Where Foster Row is managing the property, direct maintenance requests to us.

Access and Inspections

Landlords and managing agents must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before access, except in genuine emergencies. We will always seek to arrange access at a time convenient for you.

Step 8 — Renewing or Ending the Tenancy

Communicate your intentions — whether to renew or to vacate — as early as possible. This gives both sides sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements.

Renewing the Tenancy

We will manage the renewal conversation with the landlord on your behalf, including discussing the renewal rent in light of current market conditions.

Giving Notice

To end a tenancy you are required to give appropriate written notice. Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, periodic tenants will be entitled to end the tenancy by giving two months’ written notice at any time.

Check-Out

An independent check-out inspection will be carried out and the property assessed against the original inventory. The property should be returned in the same condition as received, allowing for fair wear and tear. Take dated photographs of every room on the day you vacate.

Your Obligations as a Tenant

The following summarises the principal obligations most tenants carry under a standard residential tenancy agreement.

• Pay rent in full and on time as set out in the tenancy agreement
• Keep the property in a clean and well-maintained condition throughout the tenancy
• Report maintenance issues, defects or damage promptly
• Not sublet the property or take in lodgers without the landlord’s written consent
• Not carry out alterations — structural, decorative or otherwise — without the landlord’s prior written approval
• Allow the landlord or their agent reasonable access with appropriate notice
• Comply with building rules where the property forms part of a larger development
• Arrange contents insurance to cover your own possessions
• Transfer utility accounts into your name at the commencement of the tenancy
• Return the property in the condition in which it was received, allowing for fair wear and tear

A Note for International Tenants

A significant number of Foster Row’s tenants are relocating to London from overseas. Right to Rent checks are a legal requirement for all adult occupants in England. We will guide you through the specific documentation required for your nationality and circumstances before any application is submitted.

Referencing can be more complex for tenants without UK employment, a UK bank account or a UK rental history. We have considerable experience working with international tenants and can advise on how best to structure an application to give it the strongest possible chance of success.

For tenants who require assistance beyond the property search — introductions to legal advisers, tax specialists, schools or relocation consultants — we are able to make relevant referrals through our professional network.