Not everyone speaks English.

US Flag

Britain is the most racially diverse country in Europe with almost 1.7m people that don’t speak English as their first language, including 168,000 people that don’t speak English at all.

So how do you cater for this massive market? If you are English speaking and they aren’t then it can become a huge barrier that could result in you losing tenants to someone who speaks their language.

Now, we don’t expect you to learn every language in the world just on the off chance you get a non-speaking tenant.

 Statistically, non-English speaking people are still less than 10% of the population.

LettingFix however is prepared for any possibility. It allows tenants to report issues in any of 40 languages (and more on request) and for their issue report to be sent in English to your inbox.

Goodbye language barriers.

However this isn’t a sales blog, we know LettingFix can’t solve all of life’s problems, we understand that at some point face-to-face contact is needed.

So when it comes to the dreaded face-to-face moment, we suggest:

  • Hiring a translator

This can be pricey yes, however it may be necessary, especially when initially signing the tenancy agreement and agreeing on rent, can you really afford any mistakes? We recommend posting your job on here

  • Family member

After speaking to our customers, we found out that most non-English speaking tenants bring along a family member that can speak English to translate. One customer we spoke with told us how the translator was the tenant’s 10-year-old son, this is where you decide whether the best option is to spend money or not. Obviously a 10 year old cannot be held responsible for mistranslating something and especially when it comes to vital details do you want to try and hold someone responsible for it?

  •  Google translate

Google translate is the final option, it isn’t always reliable, it can be translated incorrectly and can be a bit time consuming which will be slightly awkward while having a conversation if you have to keep referring to Google to try and understand what they said.

So you have a number of choices for face-to-face interactions. But remember you won’t have to worry about any of that kind of problem for repair reporting if you sign up to LettingFix.

(Ok, we lied; it might have been a bit sales-y)

 

 

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

The Future of Urban Real Estate: Trends and Predictions for 2026

Affordability pressures, hybrid work arrangements, and steep borrowing costs are heavy influences on urban real estate for 2026. We’re seeing an increase in mixed-use development and a renewed focus from investors on markets with a steady demand. Markets that can balance housing access, transportation, lifestyle amenities, and flexible workplaces will come out on top. Major…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

London’s prime residential market isn’t falling — it’s repricing

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners London’s prime residential market has looked subdued by global standards, but framing current conditions as a decline overlooks the more important underlying dynamic. The market is undergoing structural repricing driven by higher interest rates, shifting tax policy and a more volatile geopolitical environment. This is not…
Read More
Breaking News

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – April 2026

Market activity strengthens with applicant demand recovering and supply remaining ahead of last year   After the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, April provides the final snapshot of market conditions ahead of implementation, offering a clear benchmark for how the sector is positioned entering this new regulatory environment. The lettings market strengthened through the…
Read More
Breaking News

Five hidden costs catching home buyers out

FIVE hidden costs that’re catching home buyers out, AFTER they put their offer in, says expert • Buyers often focus on deposits and mortgages, but overlook thousands in extra costs • Delays, surveys and legal fees can quickly inflate budgets • Unexpected gaps in funding are becoming increasingly common A lot of home buyers think…
Read More
Breaking News

Housing Insight Report: March 2026

Buyer activity and sales agreed picked up this month as the housing market entered the spring season, with increased stock levels giving consumers more choice despite ongoing affordability pressures. Meanwhile, the rental market remained highly competitive, as tenant demand continued to outstrip supply and concerns over future regulation weighed on landlord confidence. Sales 1. The…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Act risks leaving the tenants it set out to protect with fewer options

Fewer than a third of landlords are fully aware that the Renters’ Rights Act bans advance rent payments of more than one month, according to new research from LRG. The survey of 650 landlords and tenants across England and Wales found that 43% know the rules have changed but remain uncertain of the details, while…
Read More