Moving to London can be an exciting adventure as you get swallowed up by the life and culture of one of the world's most dynamic cities.
And finding accommodation is inevitably part of that adventure!
However, there are also many challenges that come with this adventure.
Searching for an apartment or room in London can be very expensive in terms of energy, time and money. Especially if you have never lived in London before, it can be confusing as you probably don't know all your rights and duties as a tenant.
This is why we try to enlighten you through this article on the steps to follow while providing you with some advice for your housing search.
FIRST STEP
In all housing searches, you must first define your choice criteria. This means judging the areas where you want to live according to the transport network and services in the surrounding area. You must also integrate your budget into your search because it can change significantly depending on the area.
SECOND STEP
When the time comes to make your choice of accommodation, you should always ask as much information as possible. This involves a thorough questioning process such as :
Are all the charges included in the rent?
What about the housing tax?
Is the room furnished or semi-furnished? ...etc...
THIRD PART
Once you have found the room of your dreams, you will have to pay a deposit, usually one month's rent. Landlords in London are often very flexible. Some may choose to pay the rent by the week, but most of the time the payment will be made by the month.
You have probably heard stories about people paying a deposit for a room without visiting it and then discovering that the room doesn't exist and their money is gone. Don't worry, with a little caution and the help of professionals, you can easily avoid these scams, which are becoming more and more common in London!
Keep in mind that, in any case, you MUST always meet the owner or the estate agent before proceeding with the payment.
It is important to keep track of every money transaction.
FOURTH STEP
You must now draw up the rental agreement that includes all the details of the accommodation and your payments. This document protects you legally. In this contract, you will find, among other things, the duration of the contract, which can vary from 3 to 12 months in most cases.