Help Tips
Finding accommodation in London
Types of accommodation in London
London Rental Price Index Rooms, Bedsits, Studio-Flats, Flats/Apartments
Dealing with Landlords and Letting Agents
How much money do I need?
Tenancy Agreement (Contract)
Do you charge me to use the service?
A. Our service is completely FREE for anyone searching and booking accommodation in London.
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Can easylondonaccommodation find me a property?
A. Yes. We put you in control with our simple and effective search facility. This enables you to search by map search, type of property, and location, to find your ideal accommodation. The search will then list those properties that fit your criteria and you will have further details from a 80-word description and pictures to help you make the right choice. You then contact the landlord or agent directly through the email facility options below each property description.
Nothing suitable or unsuccessful? - Simply click on mail alert to add your requirements for the landlords/agents to see, they may have a suitable property becoming available in the near future also we will automatically email you all properties that meet you requirements when they are added to the site.
Click on Letting Agents Listings find an agent who specialises in lets similar to the one you are seeking. Agents displayed on easylondonaccommodation.com serve the London area, and many are well established, with years of experience. For more info click on Dealing with Landlords and Letting Agents.
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Can I arrange everything before I get to London?
A. Yes. Short term lets can be booked directly through the site. However for long-term lets the answer would be no, as you need to book an appointment, and there is more paperwork involved (credit checks, references etc). If you want to book a short let or holiday let, search our Short-let list.
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Q. When do I begin searching for accommodation in London?
A. In London, the best time to look for accommodation is usually about three weeks before you wish to move in. Start looking any further in advance and you are probably wasting your time, unless you are just trying to get an idea of prices. Agents/landlords prefer not to sign tenants up for a property too far in advance of the moving in date You should be able to find somewhere within a week to 10 days with easylondonaccommodation.com and this still leaves a couple of weeks for referencing and so on.
Students should try to get accommodation sorted as early as possible before the new term. Alternative areas which offer cheaper housing should be considered. Properties can go very quickly and some landlords may be inclined to put prices up rather than down as term draws near, especially if there a large number of as yet un-housed students.
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Q. When I find an ad I like?
A. Act quickly. As in London, accommodation can be snapped up in a matter of hours. If you are able to view a property immediately, don't waste any time. Arrange your viewing appointments through the email facility provided, as soon as you find a property you like. If you delay, you may find that it as been taken.
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Q. What is Mail Alert?
A. Mail Alert is a free service from easylondonaccommodation.com that will notify you via email when new rental listings matching your search criteria appear in our rental database.
After conducting a rental search on easylondonaccommodation.com, you have the opportunity to sign up for the Mail Alert service. The links on your search result page will take you directly to the Mail Alert sign-up form. Once the form is completed and processed, you will receiv a Mail Alert notification whenever new rental listings matching your search criteria appear in our rental database.
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Q. How often will I receive mail Alert emails?
A. easymail email notifications are sent everyday. The email notification will have a link embedded in it that will take you to a web page displaying all of the new rental listings matching your search criteria that appeared in our rental database for that day. Please note, you will only receive emails when we have new details of suitable properties.
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Q. What is room/flat share /house share?
A. A flat or house share is where people live together in a private residence and share all the facilities i.e. washing machine, TV - the kitchen, living room, bathroom. People living in such arrangements will normally share responsibility for payment of bills and council tax for the property, and in some cases the bills are included in the rent.
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Q. What is a bedsit?
A. For many people, living in a bedsit is the first foray into the private rental sector. As with everything, standards vary, but all bedsit are much the same in concept. Essentially, you have one main self-contained small unit to live in. This will come with a living area which doubles as a bedroom and a mini kitchen area that is also part of the same room. You should also get a basic (and small) bathroom, but it is not uncommon to find a communal bathroom and kitchen shared between two or more bedsit in a building.
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Q. What is studio flat?
A. There is fine line between a studio and a bedsit. In fact, many people who apply to view a rental property that is advertised as a studio really find that it is a bedsit they are going to view. Essentially, a studio flat should always have bathroom and kitchen facilities. The kitchen may or may not be in a separate room to the main living area, but often will be. There should be no shared facilities with a studio flat and you should have your own lockable entrance door. Studio flats are more expensive than bedsits and often more spacious.
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Q. What is flat/apartment?
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Q. What is the difference between short-term and long term?
A. Short term refers to any flexible stay longer than one week. Mid term is usually 3-6 months and long term is for 6 months to one year. The shorter the stay the more expensive it is, but usually not as flexible as longer stays have contracts and notice periods to be aware of.
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Q. What are the long-let prices in London?
A. Rental Price Index for rentals of six month or more.
| Location |
Zone |
Room
in flatshare / house share |
Bedsits
£ Weekly |
Studio
£ Weekly |
1 Bed
Flat
£ Weekly |
2 Bed
Flat
£ Weekly |
3 Bed
Flat
£ Weekly |
3 Bed
House
£ Weekly |
4 - 8+
Bed House
£ Weekly |
| South
Kensington |
1 |
£100
- £200 |
£140-
£200 |
£200
- £350 |
£300
- £500 |
£400
- £2000 |
£500
- £2000 |
£750
- £3000 |
£800
- £5000 |
| Kensington
& Chelsea |
1 |
£95
- £200 |
£110
- £150 |
£185
- £300 |
£260
- £500 |
£400
- £2000 |
£500
- £1100 |
£700
- £2000 |
£1000
- £4000 |
| Knightsbridge |
1 |
|
£150
- 200 |
£225
- £350 |
£350
- £900 |
£400
- £2000 |
£600
- £2000 |
£1100
- £5000 |
£1000
- £6000 |
| Notting
Hill & Holland Park |
1 |
£95
- £180 |
£130
- £170 |
£180
- £230 |
£250
- £375 |
£290
- £750 |
£400
- 1000 |
£600
- £1000 |
£900
- £3000 |
| Paddington
&Bayswater |
1 |
£90
- £150 |
£100
-£150 |
£140
- £225 |
£190
- £400 |
£225
- £750 |
£325
- £1200 |
£625
- £1100 |
£1000
- £3000 |
| Maida
Vale Ladbroke Grove, Hammersmith, Shephered Bush, Acton, |
2-3 |
£80
- £120 |
£90
- £140 |
£140
- £210 |
£200
- £350 |
£300
- £500 |
£500
- £600 |
£500
- £750 |
£1000
- £3500 |
| Ealing,
Hanger lane, Greenford, Southhall, Alperton, |
3-4 |
£60
- £110 |
£70
- £120 |
£100
- £150 |
£140
- £250 |
£180
- £300 |
£240
- £400 |
£280
- £500 |
£350
- £800 |
| Baker
St, Regent Park, Covent Garden, |
1 |
£100
- £200 |
£150
- £200 |
£200
- £400 |
£380
- £700 |
£450
- £800 |
£600
- £2000 |
£800
- £5000 |
£900
- £5000 |
| Angle,
Aldgate, Barbican, Euston, City |
1 |
£85
- £150 |
£120
- £150 |
£150
- £250 |
£200
- £500 |
£270
- £600 |
£350
- £700 |
£450
- £1000 |
£500
- £4000 |
| Bethnal
Green, Stratford, Shoreditch, Mile End, |
2-3 |
£70
- £130 |
£95
- £140 |
£130
- £180 |
£170
- £250 |
£200
- £350 |
£250
- £450 |
£300
- £600 |
£400
- £900 |
| Camden,
Hampstead, Swiss cottage, Golders Green, |
2-3 |
£80
- £130 |
£95
- £140 |
£170
- £250 |
£240
- £450 |
£325
- £900 |
£500
- £1200 |
£750
- £4000 |
£800
- £5000 |
| Finsbury
park, Highgate, Wood Green, Finchly |
2-3 |
£65
- £130 |
£95
- £140 |
£130
- £180 |
£170
- £250 |
£200
- £350 |
£250
- £450 |
£300
- £600 |
£350
- £900 |
| Kensel
Green Wilesden Green, Kilburn, Queens Park, Dollis Hill,
Wembley |
2-3 |
£65
- £130 |
£95
- £140 |
£130
- £180 |
£170
- £250 |
£200
- £350 |
£250
- £450 |
£300
- £600 |
£390
- £900 |
| Victoria,
Pimilico, |
1 |
£80
- £200 |
£135
- £200 |
£180
- £400 |
£220
- £700 |
£300
- £ 800 |
£380
- £2000 |
£500
- £5000 |
£800
- £8000 |
| Brixton,
Clapham, Elephant & Castle, Waterloo, Tooting |
2 |
£65
- £130 |
£95
- £140 |
£130
- £180 |
£170
- £250 |
£200
- £350 |
£250
- £450 |
£300
- £600 |
£650
- £1000 |
| Richmond,
Wimbledon, Chiswick, Putney |
4 |
£90
- £200 |
£135
- £200 |
£180
- £400 |
£220
- £700 |
£300
- £ 800 |
£350
- £2000 |
£400
- £5000 |
£600
- £5000 |
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Q. What are the short-let prices in London?
A. This is a Rental Price Index for short-let (1 week to 3 months).
| Location |
Zone |
Studio
£ Weekly |
1 Bed
Flat
£ Weekly |
2 Bed
Flat
£ Weekly |
3 Bed
Flat
£ Weekly |
3 Bed
House
£ Weekly |
4 -
8+ Bed House
£ Weekly |
| South
Kensington |
1 |
£350
- £600 |
£450
- £1000 |
£600
- £1500 |
£700
- £1600 |
£800
- £5000 |
£1000
- £5000 |
| Kensington
& Chelsea |
1 |
£350
- £500 |
£450
- £800 |
£600
- £1500 |
£700
- £1600 |
£800
- £5000 |
£1000
- £5000 |
| Knightsbridge |
1 |
£400
- £800 |
£550
- £2000 |
£800
- £3000 |
£950
- £3200 |
£950
- £5000 |
£2000
- £10000 |
| Notting
Hill & Holland Park |
1 |
£350
- £500 |
£450
- £800 |
£600
- £1500 |
£700
- £1600 |
£800
- £5000 |
£1000
- £5000 |
| Edgware
Rd, Baker Street, Paddington &Bayswater |
1 |
£300
- £500 |
£400
- £700 |
£500
- £1500 |
£600
- £1600 |
£800
- £5000 |
£900
- £3000 |
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Q: Do agents and landlords charge fees to tenants?
A: No, you should not have to pay any registration fees to an agent. Some agents and landlords will charge a nominal "success" fee. However there will usually be certain costs that the new tenant is expected to cover. These fees will include administration costs for drawing up a tenancy agreement, for taking up references and for agreeing an inventory of contents.
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Q. How do I choose an agent?
A. Click on "Letting agents in London" to find an agent who specialises in rentals similar to the one you are seeking. Agents displayed on easylondonaccommodation.com serve the London area, and many are well established, with years of experience.
When submiting a request, make sure your requirements in detail with the agent, such as type and size of property, furnished or unfurnished, location and length of tenancy. This should ensure you are matched with the right property.
As a prospective tenant you will normally be expected to pay at least one month's rent in advance plus four to six weeks' rent as a deposit. If you are prepared to pay a lump sum in advance in the form of a premium lease, you may be able to negotiate a reduced rent. There will also be an administration fee to compile an inventory, for preparing the tenancy agreement and for taking up references.
References required may include one from your bank or accountant to establish your financial standing. A character reference is also required. This may be from your previous landlord, employer or solicitor.
Allow 10 days for references and payment to be cleared.
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Q: How much money do I need to get started?
A: You will usually be asked for rent to be paid monthly in advance. You will also need to provide a deposit against damage to the property or contents. The deposit is usually 1 month to 6 weeks rent. This is usually held by the agent in a designated client account and will be returned (less any deductions) at the end of your stay.
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Q: What is a "Holding Deposit"?
A: A holding deposit is a deposit against the administration costs that are incurred at the start of a tenancy. It is usually a nominal amount payable when you make a firm offer. If you subsequently decide to pull out then you will forgo the deposit. If the landlord pulls out it will be refunded to you. If the deal goes ahead then the deposit is offset against the administration charges, the deposit and the advance rental.
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Q: What else do I pay for?
A: Utilities mainly, gas, electricity, TV and council tax etc.
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Q. What is a tenancy agreement?
A. Your tenancy agreement will usually be a standard contract indicating the responsibilities of both landlord and you the tenant.
The landlord or letting agent will produce the tenancy agreement. It will cover dates, method of payment, and the circumstances under which the landlord will hold your deposit, and which repairs the landlord or letting agent is responsible for.
If your accommodation is furnished you will be asked to sign an inventory, which will list the contents. In the event of damage or loss of contents, compensation will be paid usually by the deposit. Be sure to check the inventory carefully, if there is anything that you are unsure off, or disagree with, query it immediately.
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Q. Do tenants pay for repair and maintenance?
A. Repairs and maintenance will be covered in your tenancy agreement, but are a frequent source of tension between tenants and landlords.
You are normally expected to behave in a 'tenant-like' manner, meaning that you carry out any minor repairs without calling in the agent or landlord e.g. every time the sink gets blocked.
The more complex maintenance issues are usually the landlord's duty, but under some agreements you will have to pay for repairs if they are deemed to be your fault.
Consult the landlord before you sign the agreement, so that you know exactly where you stand.
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Q: How do I get my deposit back?
A: Make sure that the property is thoroughly cleaned and all items on the inventory are the same condition as at the out set.
If you have moved furniture - be sure to put it back to its original place. There will be an inspection (you should try and be present) to ensure that the items are all present and undamaged. Provided that this is the case your deposit will be returned shortly after you vacate the premises. You are not allowed to set the deposit off against the last month's rent.
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Q: What information should I supply?
A: References - the agent will require addresses, (or fax numbers or e-mail) of referees who will confirm your ability to meet the rent regularly. Usual referees are your employer, your bank, previous landlords, accountants or solicitors. In the absence of suitable references, a guarantor will usually be required.
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