Find Rental Properties Like A Londoner: Your Ultimate Guide To Housing In London
If you have just accepted a job offer in London, or are planning on moving to the big smoke to find yourself new career opportunities, your first call of action is to secure yourself housing. With 9 million people living in the capital, commuting from one side of London to the other can take 2 hours, so finding the right location to live in is essential. Explore our ultimate guide in finding a rental property in London.
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There are numerous different factors to consider when finding rental properties and housing in London. Different London boroughs have varying rates of council tax (a certain type of tax you pay to the local council when inhabiting a property). You may also want to check out transportation options, local facilities and schooling options if you are relocating with children. Deciding on your ideal location is the foremost yet hardest step.
Due to its popularity, London is one of the most expensive cities to live in in the world, with Londoners paying a staggering 40–50% of their monthly income on accommodation. However, salaries in London are significantly higher than the national average, equating to £35,000 annually. Despite the price, finding a rental property in London is relatively easy and there are a variety of paths you can take in finding your ideal housing.
These Are The Things You Should Know Before Renting In London
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Living in London will give you the world at your doorstep – this cosmopolitan city boasts a whole host of opportunities, from advancing your career and networking to experiencing some of the best restaurants and bars in the world.
The rental property market varies from country to country, so if you're planning on moving to London from abroad, it's best to get clued up before your arrival. Your first question about renting in London will be, no doubt, how much is the rent? If you are an individual looking to rent a single room in shared housing, you'll be forking out roughly £600 – £700 a month on rent alone. If you want your own apartment, this figure will double.
In addition to rent, you'll also be paying council tax which is on average £154 per month, depending on which band the location of your property falls in. This fee is divided equally between all tenants in a single property. You will be exempt from the charge if you're a full time student or are currently receiving government financial aid, and can get a 25% decrease in cost if you live alone or are the only adult living in the property.
The average cost of indispensable bills, such as electricity, heating and gas, will come to around £75 a month per person, depending on your provider. Fibre optic broadband harbors a monthly cost of around £25 per household. Use Compare The Market to compare the cost of utilities and find the best prices. So, overall, you should calculate the total costs of rent + council tax + basic bills to come to approximately £800 monthly.
Note: the most common housing arrangement for young professionals living in London is renting out a single room in a shared property.
Read more about the most used transport apps in London.
Check Out These Property Rental Websites In London
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Finding a place to call home has never been easier with these top websites and platforms for finding rental properties in London. Browse through a range of different properties remotely and create a list of favourites, with these easy to use interfaces.
So, you're planning on moving to London and need to find housing, and fast. Look no further – here, we'll outline the top websites that Londoners themselves use when looking to secure rental properties in London. The most popular option for finding cheap rental properties in London is by using online providers that are designed specifically for landlords to advertise properties, without the tenant having to deal with the red-tape that comes with using estate agents.
Rightmove
Rightmove is currently the UK's number 1 property website. The online platform was founded in 2000 and is utilised by both private landlords and estate agents to advertise their properties. As it is so well established, Rightmove is the go-to site for most Londoners and has laid the foundations for competing property websites. Click here to find a property now.
Zoopla
Zoopla is another leading property website where you can browse all of the rental properties on offer in your area of choice. Like competing platforms, Zoopla lets you browse properties based on the window of rent you're willing to pay, which postcode you want to live in and the number of bedrooms you want your property to have. Click here to see what they have to offer.
Spareroom
The perk of using Spareroom is that not only can you find a rental property, but you can also find a flatmate to share it with. This makes Spareroom a top choice for future Londoners who are relocating from abroad and don't know anyone yet. House sharing is the most common form of living in young professionals who want to keep the costs down. Click here to find a roommate now.
Gumtree
Gumtree is great alternative to specified housing sites. Known for offering a vast range of services and second-hand goods by individuals, here you can advertise and rent properties from individuals free of charge. This is one of the cheapest ways you can find properties in London, as there are rarely ever any additional costs. Check out their listings now.
Read more about the procedures you should follow when renting in London.
Contact Local Estate Agents To Secure A Deal In London
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Opting for an estate agent to find an organise a place to live in London is the easiest option, as all you have to do is give them the criteria you're looking for, and they'll do all the leg work!
Up until 1st June 2019, renting through an estate agent would incur significant fees and charges. However, a new law passed by the government this year has forbidden estate agents and landlords from charging letting fees to tenants, making it much more affordable for prospective renters in England. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 ensures that the only fees tenants have to pay are a refundable deposit, capped at 5 weeks rent, and a holding deposit, capped at 1 weeks rent.
There are numerous estate agents in London, but here are the top-rated by area.
Foxtons – North London
Foxtons manage a range of properties in London, specialising in the North London area. The estate agents manage thousands of properties in London and is a member of all the key governing bodies in property management, abiding by the strictest codes of practice. Foxtons have a Google review of 4.5*. Check out their website here.
EastHaus – East London
EastHaus was birthed from it’s desire to see estate agents done properly and prides itself in the quality of properties it has to offer. The estate agents is only 3 years old, but have grown from strength to strength since it was created by two former real estate employees in 2016. EastHaus boasts an impressive 5.0* Google review. Check out their website here.
Dexters – South London
Dexters boasts 70 different offices across London and consider themselves to be a leader in their field. Dexters maintain their professional integrity by being regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Their success is reflected in their 4.9* Google review. Check out their website here.
Douglas & Gordon – West London
Douglas & Gordon are situated in the heart of West London, near Putney Bridge, and have been providing first class service to customers since 1958. As a smaller estate agents, you are ensured their personalised and tailored approach to catering for your needs. Douglas & Gordon have a Google rating of 4.8*. Check out their website here.
Note: landlords or estate agents may ask for your National Insurance Number in order to complete background checks.
Read more about renting through agencies in London.
Finding Housing As A Student In London
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Contacting your university should be your first step in finding student accommodation in London, as they will have student halls on offer for a number of students. If you don't qualify for student halls, don't fret – there are other options available to you.
Finding accommodation as a student in London can be quite daunting as, for many, this might be their first time living independently. As rent is higher in London than elsewhere in the country, the Student Loans Company offers a higher maintenance loan for students studying in the capital. There are three main options for finding accommodation as a student in London: university halls, private halls and off-campus housing.
Generally speaking, the way the housing situation works for students in the UK is, prior to their first year, they'll apply through their university for a place in their university's own halls of residence (dormitories). These consist of a flat of up to 7 people, each with their own private bedrooms and en-suites with shared communal living areas. In second and third year, they will arrange their own off-campus student housing through an estate agent, who offers shorter term contracts.
Due to the huge competition for properties in London, things may not run as smoothly as anticipated. Many students in London will have to find private halls to live in, which can be shared with many other students from different universities in London. If you haven't managed to secure halls through your university, check out Accommodation For Students or My Student Halls for more information on which private halls suit you best.
Top tip: when looking for private accommodation for the start of the school year in September, I would recommend starting your search no later than the January before.
Read more about Brexit: what will happen to EU citizens currently living in the UK?
Navigating your way through the rental market in London can be tricky if you're a newcomer to the city. It can be hard to know the ropes when searching for accommodation in the capital. Follow the tips and tricks stated above, and you'll be in with a good chance of finding and securing your first rental property in London. Good luck!
What advice do you have on searching for properties in London? Give us some suggestions below, we'd love to hear them!
This article was written for Globuzzer, the social network for travelers and expats in the Nordic regions.
