Tips for securing a Flat in London

HOW DO I FIGURE OUT MY BUDGET?

It's quite a mission arriving in London and not knowing the average rent or what you can expect for your budget. It's even more confusing when some places include council tax, some bills and others don't. Some advertise weekly rent and others advertise PCM - per calendar month. Some have everything included so you're not quite sure where the rent starts and the bills end. The best thing that worked for us (as a couple), but totally applicable to singles; was to figure out what our pcm budget was just for rent and then throw a hundred quid or so on top of that for bills. Once you have a fairly firm budget, it makes looking for a place that much easier. If you CAN stretch your budget, it's amazing what an extra ten or twenty pounds can get you.

NEGOTIATE:

Another thing that is acceptable, expected and a great thing to do is HAGGLE! When you're desperate for accommodation, it's easy to forget that you're actually doing the landlord a favour by paying his mortgage. Landlords wold much rather get 5-10 quid less a week and get good reliable tenants than vice versa. Figure something out that is mutually good for both parties and you're on your way to a good relationship with your landlord and being able to afford an extra few beers. If you're not good on paper, turn up the charm and hope for the best.

SUBLETTING:

The experiences we've had so far include house-sitting/sub-letting and flat sharing with our ultimate goal of setting up our own flat share from scratch. It's been both a conscious and necessary decision to move from place to place both to experience different areas and also to take advantage of cheaper rent and smaller deposits when subletting. Generally when house mates sublet their rooms when they're away on holiday for a month or so, they do it at a reduced rate and include all bills. Peak times for these are obviously university holidays and the Xmas period. Also people travelling overseas for a month or two is a good opportunity to get a feel for an area without committing for too long.

DOWNSIDE : The only real downside for subletting is that if you have more than a few suitcases you may feel a little cramped if the person hasn't put all their stuff in a storage cupboard in the hallway. If they've managed to clear you a few drawers and half their wardrobe it can be quite cosy to move into a room that's got a few knick knacks here and there. I also became quite adept at shoving ugly paintings under the bed or throwing rugs over shrines to Indian gods.

UPSIDE: The upsides are numerous - living with people who can introduce you to their mates (and if they drive you mental there's light at the end of the tunnel) cheaper than normal rent, getting to know an area before you commit to living there long term, figuring out the transport in relation to your work/friends, moving into a place that is already fully furnished to the max so you don't need to purchase furniture or kitchen stuff..right down to cleaning products. Normally people ask for a much smaller BOND or DEPOSIT for short term tenancies which can be a godsend when you're starting out.

BILLS FOR SUBLETTING: It's normally best to try and get your costs ALL INCLUSIVE. Then you don't need to worry about splitting bills after you move out when the bills actually arrive. Otherwise, ask the most responsible person in the houseshare to take a meter reading (preferably with you there) and then on the day or two before you go, get them to call the gas/electrictiy department to find out the cost for that period. Another good thing to do when you first arrive is get clear if there are any particular "rules" you should know like the last one to bed turns down the heating. You don't want to be responsible for roasting your flatmates on the first night.

TOP TIPS:

• Try to get your sublet as ALL INCLUSIVE.
• Make sure you are totally onto buying toilet paper and things like dishwashing liquid so you are contributing to the household. Doing something that everyone hates, like taking bins out, is sure to win you brownie points.
• Cleaning up after yourself in a share house is super important not only because it's the polite thing to do but because your current flatmates could be your best bet at finding you more accommodation.
• The bigger your network, the better your chances of finding something that will suit you, with people that suit you.
• Write a list of your preferences and must haves so you are clear on what you want. Clarity is power and it really keeps you focused on the goal.
• It's good to start searching broadly to get a feel for what's out there but the sooner you narrow your search to 2-3 areas and one budget, the sooner you'll be heading off to viewings rather than wasting time just browsing.