Are Virtual Viewings Still in Demand? Insights from Letting Agents in Harrow

The market shift: virtual viewings are no longer a replacement

During the pandemic, virtual tours became the standard. People had to make decisions remotely, and the lettings industry adapted quickly with video walk-throughs, live calls, and 360-degree tours.

Now the rental market has matured. Tenants still want convenience, but they also want reassurance. In most cases, virtual viewings are no longer used as a complete replacement for physical viewings. Instead, they act as the first stage of the viewing process.

This is particularly true in areas like Harrow and Watford where rental demand remains steady and properties can move quickly.

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Are virtual viewings still in demand? What we see in Harrow & Watford

Based on our own enquiry patterns, around 10–25% of tenants ask for a virtual viewing first.

That number can rise depending on the type of listing. For example, in our experience, virtual viewings are especially useful when marketing:

• HMOs / rooms to rent (where speed matters)

• 2-bedroom flats (popular with sharers and working couples)

• properties attracting corporate tenants

• homes where applicants are relocating from outside the area

In other words, the demand is still there — it’s just more targeted now.

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Why tenants still ask for virtual viewings

There are a few clear reasons virtual tours remain popular in the current rental market:

1) Corporate tenants want efficiency

We deal with many corporate professionals renting in Harrow and Watford. This tenant group tends to be busy, organised, and time-conscious. They often don’t want to book three physical viewings just to eliminate unsuitable options.

A quick WhatsApp video tour can confirm key things in minutes:

• room sizes and layout

• whether the property feels bright or dark

• condition of kitchen/bathroom

• storage and wardrobe space

• overall standard compared to the listing photos

For corporate renters, a virtual viewing isn’t about avoiding the property — it’s about shortlisting smarter.

2) Relocation applicants rely on remote viewing

Harrow and Watford attract renters moving from other parts of London, from outside London, and sometimes from overseas.

When someone is relocating, a virtual viewing becomes more than a convenience — it becomes a practical necessity. Even if they plan an in-person viewing later, the virtual tour helps them decide whether it’s worth travelling.

3) Rental competition pushes faster decisions

Even with normal market conditions, many properties still receive multiple enquiries quickly — particularly good-value 2-beds and well-managed rooms.

Virtual viewings help serious tenants move quickly. They can shortlist, decide, and arrange a physical viewing (or proceed to the next step) without delay.

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The biggest benefit for landlords: fewer time-wasters

From a landlord’s perspective, virtual viewings are still valuable — not because they “replace” physical viewings, but because they reduce unnecessary ones.

At Collins Sarwar Estates, we’ve found that virtual viewings help reduce time-wasters and no-shows, particularly for:

• HMOs where multiple applicants enquire daily

• tenants who apply impulsively then lose interest

• listings where location or layout is a deciding factor

When applicants have already seen the property virtually, they tend to be more serious when booking a physical appointment.

That saves time for:

• landlords

• existing tenants (if the property is occupied)

• our lettings team

And importantly, it supports a smoother letting process overall.

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WhatsApp video tours vs 360° virtual tours: what works best?

In practice, the best results come from offering both options depending on the situation.

WhatsApp video tours

WhatsApp tours are still the most requested. They feel direct and personal, and tenants like the fact they can:

• pause the video

• replay key areas

• ask questions immediately

They also work well for HMOs and rooms because tenants want a quick look at:

• the bedroom size

• storage

• natural light

• communal areas

360° virtual tours

360 tours work best when marketing higher quality flats and family homes, where layout matters and tenants want to explore at their own pace.

They also reduce repeated questions such as:

• “Is there space for a desk?”

• “How big is the second bedroom?”

• “Does the kitchen feel open or narrow?”

Both formats have a place — and together they make listings more competitive.

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The reality: most tenants still want an in-person viewing

Even though virtual viewings remain popular, most tenants still prefer to view physically before committing. That’s completely understandable.

There are certain things a virtual tour can’t fully capture:

• noise levels

• traffic outside

• neighbour activity

• mobile signal

• smell/damp issues

• parking pressure at peak times

So the most common modern process looks like this:

Virtual viewing → shortlist → physical viewing → offer

This hybrid approach has become the new normal in Harrow and Watford.

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So… are virtual viewings still worth it?

Yes — and in many cases, they provide a competitive advantage.

For landlords, virtual tours can:

• increase enquiry volume

• attract relocation and corporate tenants

• reduce unnecessary viewings

• cut down time-wasting and no-shows

• speed up the letting timeline

For tenants, they provide:

• convenience

• clarity before travelling

• faster decision-making

• a better shortlist process

Virtual viewings are no longer a trend. They are simply part of a modern letting strategy.

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FAQs: Virtual Viewings in Harrow & Watford

1) Are virtual viewings still in demand in 2026?

Yes. While most tenants still prefer an in-person viewing before signing, virtual viewings remain in demand — especially for corporate tenants, relocation renters, and fast-moving listings.

2) What percentage of tenants request a virtual viewing first?

In our experience at Collins Sarwar Estates, typically 10–25% of applicants request a virtual viewing as the first step, depending on the property type.

3) Are virtual viewings useful for HMOs and rooms to rent?

Yes — very. HMOs and rooms often attract high enquiry levels, and virtual tours help tenants decide quickly while reducing unnecessary physical viewings.

4) What’s better: WhatsApp video tours or 360° virtual tours?

Both work well. WhatsApp video tours are faster and more personal, while 360° tours are ideal for tenants who want to explore layout and room sizes in detail.

5) Do virtual viewings reduce no-shows?

Yes. Virtual viewings help filter out unsuitable applicants early and tend to reduce time-wasters and no-shows, especially for busy rental listings.