We've been here a year, and now we're moving again. This time into a place that we are excited about! As with a lot of people who relocate, we had to settle for something because of the time crunch and only one day to view properties. We were not well-informed and personally we don't feel our relocation consultant was very helpful.
Here are a few do's and don'ts regarding rental housing in London.
DO:
- Know that "for rent" is known as "to let" in London - start those google searches!
- Get all the help that you can ~ contact agencies on your own, they can help you.
- Accept that London's prices in the nicer areas are going to depress you.
- Try to find a contact locally - not your relocation consultant! - who can give you some advice
- Visit and talk to parents at the school(s) you are considering
- Consider temporary housing (something for the first month, for example) in the area where you'd like to relocate
- Understand that most lettings are posted approximately 60 days before the date that they are available (because tenants usually need to give 60 days notice) ~ therefore it is best to do your looking 60 days prior to your desired move in date.
- Try ALL the on-off switches, appliances and utilities in the home before agreeing to sign a lease, and be sure you've seen ALL the areas of the property (garages, gardens, etc)
- Prepare to put one and a half month's rent (of your own money without the supporting company's help) down for a deposit
DON'T:
- Feel pressured to choose something after the first day of looking at houses (our relocation consultant put the pressure on!).
- Choose something without really understanding the street and immediate area surrounding the property...
- Hesitate to knock on doors and talk to neighbors in an area where you're interested!
- Forget to really measure to make sure your furniture will fit!
- Trust the rental agents, unfortunately ~ some are excellent, but some are not (ie we were told we were in a different borough of London than we actually are, and told we'd have the garage but we don't).
- Assume that your children will be able to "play" outside of your home ~ ask the neighbors about the general feel of children in the neighborhood ~ there are still plenty of people who believe children should be seen and not heard and should only play in the parks.
- Feel like you must live right next to or very close to the school if busing is an option; most children in central London schools come from a very wide area
- Assume you'll get your deposit back ~ we've heard some who get 100% back and others almost nothing.
- Compare your housing allowance with other ex-pats ~ our situation was fixed and non-negotiable, but others I know here were able to negotiate for more or refused to come over until the company agreed to more housing allowance.
Resources:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/
http://www.findaproperty.com/
http://www.arlingtonestates.co.uk/
http://www.behrandbutchoff.com/
Get a copy of this book: Living and Working in London, 5th Edition: A Survival Handbook by Graeme Chesters, David Hampshire
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