Best Water Filters for Renters UK (2025)
No permanent installation. No landlord permission. Take it with you when you move. Clean water in any rented property.
Quick Answer: Best Filters for Renters
Best Budget (No Install): BRITA Marella Jug (£29.99) - portable, no permission needed
Best Faucet-Mount: TAPP EcoPro (£59) - removes 100+ contaminants, unscrews in seconds
Best Countertop RO: AquaTru (£350) - removes 99%+ of everything, just plugs in
Best Under-Sink (with permission): Waterdrop 10UA (£59) - 10-min install, easy removal
The Renter's Water Filter Dilemma
You want clean water. But you're renting. You can't drill holes, modify plumbing, or install anything permanent. And even if you could, you'd have to leave it behind when you move - or spend hours removing it.
After 24 years in water filtration, I've helped hundreds of renters find solutions that work. The good news? You don't need permanent installation to get genuinely clean water.
Good News for Renters
Modern jug filters, faucet-mount systems, and countertop units can remove just as many contaminants as permanent installations - chlorine, lead, microplastics, even PFAS. No landlord permission. No plumber. No deposit at risk.
3 Types of Water Filters Perfect for Renters
Jug Filters
£20-50
Zero installation. Fill, filter, pour. Take anywhere.
Faucet-Mount
£30-80
Screws onto tap. Better filtration. Removes in seconds.
Countertop RO
£250-450
Just plugs in. Removes 99%+ of everything. Premium option.
Best Water Filters for Renters (2025 Picks)
BRITA Marella Water Filter Jug
£29.99
The classic renter's choice. Zero installation - just fill from the tap, wait 2 minutes, pour. Removes chlorine taste (95%+), reduces limescale, and improves taste dramatically. Perfect for drinking water and making better tea.
Limitation: Basic filtration only - doesn't remove lead, PFAS, or microplastics. Best for chlorine taste improvement.
Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher
£39.99
If you want more than basic chlorine removal but still need zero installation, this 7-stage filter removes chlorine, lead, fluoride, and some heavy metals. Larger capacity than BRITA (3.5L vs 2.4L).
Waterdrop WD-FC-06 Faucet Filter
£32.99
Screws onto your kitchen tap in 2 minutes. NSF certified to remove chlorine, lead, and sediment. Switch between filtered and unfiltered water with a lever. Unscrews just as easily when you move.
Note: Won't fit pull-out or spray taps. Check your tap type before buying.
TAPP Water EcoPro Faucet Filter
£59.00
The most comprehensive faucet-mount filter available. Removes 100+ contaminants including chlorine, lead, microplastics, pesticides, and some PFAS. Sustainable refill cartridges (£39/3 months). European brand with excellent UK support.
AquaTru Countertop RO System
£349.00
The ultimate renter's filter. Full reverse osmosis filtration that just sits on your worktop - no plumbing, no installation, just plug in and pour tap water into the tank. Removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, microplastics, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic - everything.
Note: Higher upfront cost but gives you RO-quality water without any permanent installation. Perfect if you're concerned about PFAS or have a baby.
Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink Filter
£59.48
If your landlord agrees (most do), this is the best value under-sink filter. NSF 42/53 certified to remove chlorine, lead, and cysts. Installs in 10 minutes with no drilling - just connects to your cold water line. Easy to remove when you move.
Requires: Landlord permission (ask nicely - most say yes if you agree to restore original setup when leaving).
Quick Comparison: Renter-Friendly Filters
| Filter | Price | Installation | Best For | Removes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRITA Marella | £30 | None | Budget, taste improvement | Chlorine, limescale |
| Waterdrop Chubby | £40 | None | Better jug filtration | Chlorine, lead, fluoride |
| Waterdrop FC-06 | £33 | Screws on tap | Budget faucet option | Chlorine, lead, sediment |
| TAPP EcoPro ⭐ | £59 | Screws on tap | Best faucet overall | 100+ contaminants |
| AquaTru RO ⭐ | £349 | None (plug in) | Maximum filtration | 99%+ of everything |
| Waterdrop 10UA | £59 | Under-sink (permission) | Best value overall | Chlorine, lead, cysts |
Water Quality in UK Rental Hotspots
Water quality varies across the UK. Here's what renters in major cities should know:
🏛️ London
Very hard water (300+ ppm). Chlorine taste common. Lead pipes in Victorian conversions.
London renter's guide →🎵 Manchester
Soft water area. Less limescale but chlorine taste still present in rentals.
Manchester guide →🏭 Birmingham
Moderately hard water. Good quality from Elan Valley reservoirs.
Birmingham guide →⚽ Liverpool
Soft water from Lake District. Good quality, some chlorine taste.
Liverpool guide →🏴 Cardiff
Soft to moderately soft water. Good quality from Welsh reservoirs.
Cardiff guide →🏴 Edinburgh
Very soft water. Excellent quality. Minimal filtration needed.
Edinburgh guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a water filter as a renter in the UK?
Yes! Jug filters and faucet-mount filters require no permanent installation and can be removed when you move. Under-sink filters technically require landlord permission as they modify plumbing, but many landlords allow them if you agree to restore the original setup when leaving.
What's the best water filter for a rented flat?
For most renters, a BRITA jug (£30) or faucet-mount filter like TAPP EcoPro (£59) are ideal. Both require zero permanent installation, can be taken when you move, and don't need landlord permission. If you want better filtration and your landlord agrees, the Waterdrop 10UA under-sink filter (£59) is excellent.
Do I need landlord permission to install a water filter?
No permission needed for jug filters or faucet-mount filters - these don't modify anything permanently. For under-sink filters, technically you should ask as they connect to the cold water supply. Most landlords say yes if you agree to remove it when leaving.
Can I take my water filter when I move house?
Absolutely. Jug filters are completely portable. Faucet-mount filters unscrew in seconds. Even under-sink filters can be removed in 10 minutes - just reconnect the original cold water line. All these filter types are designed to move with you.
What water filter removes the most contaminants without permanent installation?
The TAPP EcoPro faucet filter removes 100+ contaminants including chlorine, lead, microplastics, and some PFAS - all without any permanent installation. For even better filtration, a countertop RO system like AquaTru (£350) removes 99%+ of contaminants and just sits on your worktop.
My Recommendation for UK Renters
After 24 years helping people choose water filters, here's my honest advice for renters:
Tight budget? Start with a BRITA jug (£30). It won't remove everything, but it makes tap water taste significantly better.
Want better protection? Get the TAPP EcoPro faucet filter (£59). Removes 100+ contaminants, screws on in 2 minutes, and comes off just as easily.
Worried about PFAS or have a baby? The AquaTru countertop RO (£349) is the only way to get true RO-quality water without any installation.
Landlord is flexible? Ask about the Waterdrop 10UA under-sink filter (£59). Best value for money, easy to remove when you leave.
🎯 Find Your Filter Level
From basic taste improvement to complete home protection — see what each level removes
Level 1: Jug Filters
£20-40Basic chlorine & taste improvement
Level 2: Undersink Carbon
£80-150Chlorine, taste & basic contaminants
Level 3: Multi-Stage Systems
£150-300Lead, PFAS, microplastics & more
Level 4: Reverse Osmosis
£200-400Near-complete contaminant removal
Level 5: Whole-House Systems
£500-2000+Every tap protected + appliance life
💡 Most UK homes benefit from Level 2-3. Lead pipes or health concerns? Consider Level 3-4.
About Keith
Mechanical engineer with 20+ years of water filtration experience
Keith has spent over two decades working with reverse osmosis and water filtration systems, helping families across the UK make informed decisions about their water quality. His engineering background and hands-on experience provide the technical foundation for Filter Authority's practical, no-nonsense guidance.
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