LIVING IN LONDON

Deciding where you want to live in London can be a complex task. There are many factors which you should take into account when making this choice and these considerations will differ from person to person.

Location

- Areas nearer central London are generally more expensive, but how far away from work do you want to be?
-How convenient is the public transport in your area?
-What are the local amenities like? Is there a decent supermarket nearby? Is there an affordable gym? What about good pubs?

Housemates

- Who is going to share your humble abode? Just you and your cat? Or will you risk moving in with strangers to make the rent more affordable? You could make great new friends this way.

Finding a property

-Estate agents will usually charge an admin fee of around £100 when they're drawing up tenancy agreements and doing reference checks.
-But going through a letting agent or an ad in a paper means that you'll have to do all the legwork yourself.
Whichever you choose - make sure you act fast. Properties don't sit around for long in London.

Property details

-Do you want furnished or unfurnished accommodation?
- Will you require a lounge, and if so would you prefer it to be separate from the kitchen?

Things you'll need to provide

An initial holding deposit, a damage deposit, a month's rent in advance, reference checks on your income status and past landlords references, guarantors (if no proof of permanent income), photo I.D

Things you'll need to do once you've moved in

Go through the inventory list with your landlord.
Inform the council, electricity, gas and water companies. Buy a TV licence. Inform bank, credit card companies, mobile phone companies of your change of address.

Let us help you find an ideal area and lists of available accommodation, by using one of the Area Profile services on Our Services page.