Where have you found your rentals at?

Phil and I go to a few websites like Rightmove, Zoopla and Gumtree but are there any others you have used or recommend for a good rental? Has anyone had success finding a nice place at any of these websites? We're currently looking in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Mansfield area Thanks in advance!

I have friends that live in Alverstonand Matlock in Derby, I could maybe get you some info if needed from them ?

Yes that would be fantastic! We're looking in Matlock as well

DH and I got our flat through rightmove, and we had great success.  We saw a property on rightmove we really liked, contacted the agent right away, and set up an immediate appointment to see the property.  We gave a deposit the same day to hold the place, and it's been almost a year and we're still here.

Be aware though, properties listed on rightmove may not actually be available due to the frequency agents update their listings and how quickly properties go if they're good.  I've called agents about flats that were available on rightmove to find out they had already been taken, sometimes even hours after the listing was submitted.  So, don't get your heart set on a place you see online as it may not even be available.  But it is a great way to see what agents operate in what areas - you can then find their sites and see if they have anything similar to what you're looking for, and/or start up a conversation so they can update you as soon as properties become available.

DH and I got our flat through rightmove, and we had great success.  We saw a property on rightmove we really liked, contacted the agent right away, and set up an immediate appointment to see the property.  We gave a deposit the same day to hold the place, and it's been almost a year and we're still here.

Be aware though, properties listed on rightmove may not actually be available due to the frequency agents update their listings and how quickly properties go if they're good.  I've called agents about flats that were available on rightmove to find out they had already been taken, sometimes even hours after the listing was submitted.  So, don't get your heart set on a place you see online as it may not even be available.  But it is a great way to see what agents operate in what areas - you can then find their sites and see if they have anything similar to what you're looking for, and/or start up a conversation so they can update you as soon as properties become available.

Yes that's something we have noticed! Agents should be more on top of their properties, but like you said they can sometimes disappear in a matter of hours..

I found our current place on this site 

Hello. I found mine here: http://www.propertyads.co.uk/rent/london, [nofollow] but used Zoopla and Rightmove too. All this search websites are pretty useful.

After being very disappointed by the lack of actual inventory on right move and find a property, which are my usual "go-to" sites, we went directly to the estate agents. Right now that is the only way. Properties are going so quickly there is no time to update the big sites.

We saw over 30 flats all over town - I was impressed with the Dexters and Fletchers in Chiswick and the Marsh & Parsons in both Brook Green and Clapham Common. If anyone wants an agent contact for any of those areas, let me know as I would definitely refer them.

In the end we chose a flat from Gumtree. It was the only one off that site we went to see. And it is a private landlord as well, so we are saving loads of money in agents fees (not to mention the 6 months they wanted up front since I am not working yet). We move in next week!