Find your perfect rental
Oxfordshire · Buckinghamshire · Northamptonshire · Cotswolds
How can we help you?
Independent. Local. Knowledgeable.
IMS has been helping people find homes across Oxfordshire and beyond for almost 20 years. As an independent company, we’re not tied to any lenders or targets – our advice is based on what’s right for you.
We put people first. From your first chat with us through to getting the keys to your new property, you’ll deal with the same expert team who truly care about helping you. Many clients come back to us or recommend us, and that comes down to trust and being straightforward from the start. Because our mortgage, lettings and insurance teams all work together, everything is joined up properly – no running around, no unnecessary hassle, just a team that’s got you covered from start to finish.
Areas we cover
Few places balance city and countryside as easily as Oxfordshire.
Oxford draws renters in for the incredible history, academic institutes, restaurants, culture and the fact you can get into London Marylebone in under an hour.
Outside the city, places like Bicester, Kidlington and Banbury offer established communities with a wide range of rental properties at different price points. Historic market towns such as Henley, Abingdon, Thame, Witney, Burford, Chipping Norton and Woodstock all have their own distinct characters, with countryside on the doorstep.
Oxfordshire villages offer something quieter with the buzz of the town nearby. Demand from tenants stays strong here for a reason: strong employment, excellent schools and good road links into both London and Birmingham.
- Oxford city World-class universities, culture and restaurants – London Marylebone in under an hour
- Bicester – our HQ Established community, great road and rail links, excellent schools, designer shopping at Bicester Village
- Market towns Henley, Abingdon, Thame, Witney, Burford – distinct character and countryside
- Strong employment Good A34 and M40 links into London and Birmingham
Buckinghamshire has always appealed to people who want to stay within reach of London without paying London rents.
From busy market towns to quiet countryside, with the Chilterns shaping a lot of its character.
Towns like Princes Risborough, Wendover and Great Missenden feel rural but work well for commuting. Amersham and Chesham are particularly popular because they sit on the Metropolitan line, making day-to-day travel into the city straightforward.
Villages like Brill, Oakley and Waddesdon are full of character with stunning scenery close by. Milton Keynes is a different market altogether – newer, growing quickly and attracting a lot of young professionals and families because of the jobs and infrastructure.
The grammar school system is also a significant draw for families, and it keeps rental demand in the county consistently high.
- London commuter belt Amersham and Chesham on the Metropolitan line — central London in under an hour
- Chilterns countryside Outstanding natural beauty with rural villages and wide open space
- Grammar schools One of the UK's remaining grammar school counties — a major draw for families
- Milton Keynes Growing market, strong employment, great for first-time buyers and investors
Northamptonshire doesn't always get the same attention, but that's part of its appeal.
People who move here tend to stay. Northampton itself has seen steady investment and the transport links are better than most expect – London Euston is under an hour by train.
Towns like Daventry and Wellingborough widen the options further, particularly for renters who need to commute but want significantly more space for their money.
The villages, places like Nassington, Fotheringhay and Guilsborough, are some of the finest in the area.
Market towns such as Towcester, Oundle and Brackley have a settled, long-standing feel. The county also sits within a strong business corridor between Milton Keynes and Coventry, which keeps rental demand moving steadily across the area.
It also sits within a strong business corridor between Milton Keynes and Coventry, which helps keep both the sales and rental markets moving.
- Outstanding value Larger homes and more land compared to neighbouring counties at noticeably lower prices
- London Euston under an hour Better rail connections than most buyers expect
- Characterful villages Nassington, Fotheringhay, Guilsborough — some of the finest in the Midlands
- Business corridor Strong links between Milton Keynes and Coventry keep demand steady
Famed for its rolling hills, honey-coloured stone villages and open countryside, the Cotswolds offers a way of living that is increasingly sought after. It's also evolved in recent years.
Alongside its traditional charm, destinations like Soho Farmhouse and Estelle Manor have brought a more refined, lifestyle-led edge to the area.
Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh remain some of the most recognised addresses, while Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury, Charlbury and Chipping Norton, along with the villages around Cirencester, offer just as much character with a slightly quieter feel. Cheltenham, on the edge of the Cotswolds, adds another dimension, with Regency architecture, well-regarded schools and an established events calendar.
Despite its rural feel, the Cotswolds is well connected. The M4 and M5 are within easy reach and rail links make London accessible. People who rent here love the setting, the community and the lifestyle.
- Iconic addresses Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh
- Lifestyle destination Soho Farmhouse, Estelle Manor — a refined, sought-after way of living
- Cheltenham Regency architecture, excellent schools and a world-famous events calendar
- Well connected M4 and M5 within easy reach, direct rail links to London
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Step 1
Understanding your needs
We start by getting clear on what you're looking for: location, size, budget, schools, move-in date and anything specific that matters to you. The more we know, the more useful we can be.
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Step 2
Start the search
We match you against current listings and keep you informed as new properties come in. The best rentals in our areas go quickly, and registered tenants hear about them first.
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Step 3
Viewings
We arrange viewings at times that suit you and can attend to answer questions about the property, the landlord and the local area. If you're relocating from outside the region, we can line up multiple viewings on the same day.
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Step 4
Application
Found the right place? We'll guide you through the application, tell you exactly what documents are needed and keep things moving so you don't lose the property.
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Step 5
Referencing
Your application goes through a professional referencing process covering employment, credit and previous tenancy history. We'll keep you updated and let you know promptly if anything needs clarifying.
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Step 6
Tenancy agreement and deposit
We'll send your tenancy agreement to review before you sign anything. Once signed, your deposit is secured in a government-approved protection scheme and you're confirmed as the tenant.
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Step 7
Get the keys
Completion happens, your inventory is checked and the keys are yours. We make sure you know exactly what to expect on the day so nothing catches you off guard.
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Step 8
During your tenancy
Our involvement does not stop once you have moved in. We remain available throughout your tenancy, whether that is for maintenance, questions or general support. With the Renters’ Rights changes placing more emphasis on clear communication and tenant experience, we make sure you are kept informed and supported at every stage. People before property applies throughout, not just at the start.
People before property
See for yourself by checking out our reviews on Google and Trustpilot
“We had an amazing experience with Michelle as our mortgage advisor. She was incredibly helpful, friendly and professional throughout the whole process. She always replied very quickly, even outside normal working hours, and was always happy to answer any questions we had. Thanks to Michelle, the whole mortgage process was quick, easy and completely stress-free. We really appreciate all her help and support and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a mortgage advisor. Thank you so much, Michelle! ❤️”
“Very helpful, supportive and efficient team – our experience with them has been great so far, highly recommend!”
“Very simple process to renew a mortgage – Michell did identify some new providers; however, in the end, staying with the current provider proved most appropriate and even updated arrangement with cheaper interest rates in the immediate days preceding the expiry date – all very simple and straightforward – would recommend”
“My partner and I were first time buyers and the thorough and timely support of Michelle and her team made the process of securing our mortgage quick and stress-free.”
“Really good communication and speed of response. This was our first time buying so Michelle really helped us through the process.”
