VISA approved, moving to London, Help with finding HOUSING

Hi Everyone.

My VISA has been approved and I will soon move to London. I need suggestions for finding short-term housing.

Though I have been living on my own for many years in Canada, I fear finding a place in the UK will be harder that I realize - references, no immediate job, deposits etc.

1) Can anyone suggest some great, safe and trustworthy websites for finding a studio-flat or 1-bedroom flat in/around London?

2) Any suggestions on where in London to move?

3) Any suggestions on how to deal with UK landlords, the renting process and anything that would be different that finding a place to line in Canada?

4) Is anyone familiar with this website: flatland.co.uk

The basic plan - get a short term lease for a furnished studio-flat or 1-bedroom in a decent neighbourhood, find some temporary work and go from there!

Looking forward to the responses!
~ Ottawa Canuck

Hi,
Just a couple of sites that helped me when I moved here and some suggestions.

gumtree.com
moveflat.com



Flathunting in London for shared flats is pretty competitive, and things move quickly. So it will take some time and perseverance to find the right place.

I would recommend finding somewhere that everyone is renting, rather than living with someone who owns the place, but if you find the right place I wouldn't rule it out. Having experienced both I just find that things are more comfortable when you are all on equal footing. Though finding someone renting a room in their own home may help where you don't have any rental history in the uk.

If it sounds too good to be true it is probably a scam. You are not going to get an amazing huge flat for £500 all bills included. If they start asking for deposits before you see the flat "because they are out of town on business at the moment" run. Also if you meet them and they want a cash deposit on the spot, most likely a scam.

I had a period of adjustment to having flatmates when I first moved here but after I adjusted I learned to enjoy the benefits.

All in all trust your gut feelings in choosing a place. It is your place to get away from the hustle and bustle of London and you want it to be a place that feels comfortable.

Good Luck.
Michelle
yhzgirl.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for the reply. I've been checking out Gumtree - glad to know you have also found it useful.

My girlfriend and I will be looking to rent a small flat between to the two of us.

We are mostly concerned with 1) price, 2) location close to a subway/tube, 3) a reasonably safe/quiet neighbourhood. For now we aren't too concerned with nightlife.

As a Canadian from out relatively small cities, I'm have no idea what neighbourhoods would be a good start.

Any suggestions?

Again, thanks for the reply, eh.

Where is really hard to answer. I favour living in central London because that is the experience I wanted to have living here. I have lived in Notting Hill, and Camden Town and when I first got here Sheppards Bush.

I would recommend Belsize and Hampstead as long as you are walkable to a northern line station you will have decent transport links into the centre and live in an area that has an village feel.

I really like west London so, Notting Hill, Holland Park, there are some good bits between Hammersmith and Sheppard's Bush. There are areas like Fulham and Putney that are nice (the river gives it a bit of village feel) but you depend on the District line which can be a bit of an awkward line.

Angel tube station and the area around there is nice, and worth checking out.

If you want to save money on rent then possibly somewhere near Ealing Broadway could be good, giving you the central line into town.

Lines I would avoid are the Hammersmith and City line as well as the Circle line. My top choices for transport are Central, Northern (north of the river as south of the river the line always seems congested), and picadilly the jubilee line wouldn't be so bad if they didn't shut it every weekend.

It is pretty easy to get a feel for an area if you go have a wander.

I'm sure there are others out there that can give a shout out to good or even areas to avoid!

Hope that helps!

I've been wondering about this same thing. I'm leaving on june 10th, and have been poking around sites like gumtree and craigslist for a while, but I haven't contacted anyone yet as it seems like it's probably too early. But maybe it's not? I'm looking to share with someone as well, not interested in having my own place right when I arrive, especially when I don't know my job situation yet.

I have a good friend who lives in Shoredich, and he seems pretty keen on it. I've found some great flatshares on craigslist, but I know how notorious that site isfor being 93% scamolas ....

My current landlord here in Toronto, actually lives in London so I wonder if I could get a reference from him while I'm there .... hmmmm

It is too soon for June, things move pretty quickly and so if someone had a place up available for when you wanted it without your being in the country they won't likely deal with you or take you seriously until you are here.

I would try to get something sorted for interm accommodation if you can while you look. That way you won't feel pressure to take something you aren't sure of or aren't keen on.

-- Thu Mar 10, 2011 3:48 pm --

It is too soon for June, things move pretty quickly and so if someone had a place up available for when you wanted it without your being in the country they won't likely deal with you or take you seriously until you are here.

I would try to get something sorted for interm accommodation if you can while you look. That way you won't feel pressure to take something you aren't sure of or aren't keen on.

its way to early to start looking for June.. the rental market flips very quickly and there is definitely a shortage of affordable places (not to say you wont find something, but you need to be flexible with your list of essentials). Find any Estate Agent in the area that you want to live in and register with them. They normally have flats available either immediately or within the month. When looking for an area to live you need to judge based on what you're willing to spend. London is set up in travel zones with central london being zone 1. Obviously the closer to london the more pricey your monthly rent and council tax will be (council tax being similar to that of property tax and yes this is the renters responsibility). Similarly the further you go outside of zone 1 the more expensive your travel costs will be, you should make sure you factor this in when budgeting. If you're going to be in London for a while, you might consider a annual season pass for the train/tube as its cheaper.

If you are looking for a house share - gumtree is probably best. It is going to be highly competitive and you and 20 other people will probably be going for the same room. Most people look between 1 month and 2 weeks prior to moving.

has anyone successfully set up a flastshare/accomodation from across this lovely pond??

Hi Lynz,
I set up appointments for viewings the day I arrived (and days after) to get me started. I wouldn't recommend taking a place site unseen or flatmates never met. There're a lot of scams out there, so if someone is asking you for money to secure a place (especially if it sounds too good to be true) don't do it.

Best bet is to get a couple of weeks short term accommodation sorted out for when you get here, and once you arrive get in as many viewings as you can. You will be fine, I know it is a stress but I doubt you will find anyone who's been threw the move who ended up homeless.

http://bluensoegirl.com

I think that is what my attack is going to be-set viewings up before I go and tough it out for the first week or 2. I have a friend who said he was going to help but by the sounds of it lately, I might be SOL and have to do this by myself (jerk). I was also going to apply for my visa this week but I haven't sent it in quite yet....it's a long and involved story of which I am determined to do this move with or without the help of my work but just waiting on the 'official' answer.

I think stress is an understatement at this point.