Where to stay options
Here are some of the options open to you for places to stay:
- Dossing — Popular until you outstay your welcome. Minimal rent and bills depending on how generous your friends are.
- Hostels — Many welcome long term guests, some include breakfast. Weekly rates range from £70 to £200.
- Sharing a room — Popular with travellers; you can share a room for as little as £40 a week.
- Sharing a flat/house — The popular option. Rent starts at around £45/week.
- Going it alone — You can get lucky and score a bedsit for under £100, but budget for up to £150 per week.
Bills
This depends on the flat/house; most will quote you rent only. Bills can include gas, electricity, phone, TV, water and council tax.
Deposit
The deposit is four or six weeks’ rent in advance. It is illegal to charge more than two months’ rent. You will probably also have to pay a month’s rent in advance. If you have a formal arrangement with an agent or landlord, request that your deposit be placed into a savings account. You will be entitled to the interest when the deposit is released.
Leases
You may need to sign a lease, which will typically run for six or 12 months. Read the small print — this will tell you what you are and are not responsible for. If leaving, it is best to get the new flatmate to take your place on the lease. Legal advice can be obtained free of charge from the Citizens Advice Bureau (www.nacab.org.uk) or tel: +44 (0)20 7385 1322.
Furnished/Unfurnished
Most rental apartments come furnished, but don't get too excited: more often than not, the furniture will tend to be in a less-than-perfect state. Generally unfurnished places are cheaper for obvious reasons, but you can ask to have furniture added or removed depending on your needs. Discuss this with the agent or landlord.
If you're planning to stay in London long term, it is worth your while to rent. Check the private ads in TNT Magazine (www.tntmagazine.com/) , the Evening Standard (www.thisislondon.co.uk) and Loot (www.loot.com) . Alternatively, foot a charge and register with an estate agent, but remember that it is illegal to be charged to look at a property. Depending on what part of town you are in, bed-sits cost between £50-£85 a week, rooms from £50 to £150, and one-bedroom flats from £130 upwards.
Bedsits
This is invariably your cheapest option if you want to live alone. Bedsits are self-contained rooms with a small cooker and fridge, in a house where tenants share a bathroom. Hot water and gas will usually be included in the rent, while electricity is often paid through a coin meter (as in some flats).
Studios and One-Bedroom Flats
There are studio and one-bedroom flats on offer if you don't fancy sharing, but the prices tend to be prohibitive and most Londoners end up sharing.
Moving In
Whatever type of accommodation you decide on, it's almost certain that you'll have to pay cash up front - a month's rent in advance plus a similar amount as a returnable deposit - and you'll probably be asked to sign a six or 12-month contract. It is illegal to charge more than 2 months rent as a deposit.
Remember - Read the small print before you sign and make sure you know what your rent covers. Council tax, gas and electricity may or may not be included.
You should remember that whoever signs the lease is responsible for the rent and leases can be notoriously difficult to get out of before time.
Housing law in Britain is complex, but advice can be obtained free of charge from a local Citizen's Advice Bureau (www.nacab.org.uk).