While most working travellers are eager to sort out their accommodation as quickly as possible (especially those tired of temporary stays and dreaming of their own cupboard space đ¤Ł) there are some important things to consider before jumping into any rental agreements, particularly before signing any kind of contract.
First, it can be a good idea to get a job before you “settle down”, because this can save you a lot of commuting time.
Although it can be tempting to say âyesâ to the first decent flat/room you see, take the time to look around at a few different places and compare location, prices, terms and inclusions. Also, be wary of additional costs that may not be included in the advertised rental price of a property, extra bills can significantly increase your weekly outlay for accommodation.
Generally, the things you should consider are:
Location
Different boroughs (suburbs or neighbourhoods) in London and the UK have a different vibe or lifestyle and of course price, associated with them. Itâs important to consider not only the cost of accommodation but also the expenses of shops, restaurants, and pubs in the surrounding area.
Transportation Links
Before signing a lease, walk to the nearest transportation links to see what travel in and out of the area is like. Catch the bus, train or tube at rush hour and see how long it takes you to get to other key areas, especially where you work.
Being within walking distance of a Tube or National Rail station is highly ideal and an important factor when searching for accommodation. A nearby bus stop is the next best thing. After all, a flat or house with a great living room, kitchen, or garden wonât be as enjoyable if you have to catch multiple forms of transportation just to get to the shops!
Furnishings
Most UK flats and homes are rented furnished with the basics. In an average London flat, you can expect to find a fridge, closets, beds (at least mattress), a couch and a dining table with chairs, which is of great convenience to the moderately transient traveller.
If your flat is advertised as furnished, be sure you determine exactly what is provided. If something is in a particularly poor state - ask to have it replaced; it is the landlord's responsibility to provide the basics in good repair for a furnished flat. Also, keep a record of any furniture, linens, crockery or utensils you purchase for the house/flat. Most property owners will do an inventory of whatâs in the flat when you move in and when you leave, so be sure to track anything youâve paid for and want to take with you when you move out.
Bond /Advance Rent
Most rental arrangements require you to pay a bond, usually equivalent to a full monthâs rent. You will usually get this bond back after you have moved out and the place has been inspected (it can sometimes take time to get your bond back so make sure you have sufficient funds to continue your travels/move to new digs in the meantime).
Itâs also important to enquire carefully about any repairs you request or any work that is being done on the flat in general, as you might find that substantial and unexpected amounts are deducted from your bond when you get it back due to such repairs. In addition to a bond, youâll probably be required to pay the first monthâs rent upfront, so make sure you have enough money put aside for this.
Always ask for a receipt for any payments made to a landlord and keep a record of your rental payments. Never hand over any possessionsâespecially your passport or other identificationâas part of your bond. This is illegal, and you should be wary of any individual or company that makes such demands.
Length of rental agreement
Most rental agreements are for 6 or 12 months. Be sure to read the agreement terms carefully in regards to the rental period, as some landlords may ask for a fee (deducted from your bond) if you leave the property before the agreed time, to cover them for loss of rental income.
Estate or Letting Agencies
Unless you find flat-share accommodation through friends, specific traveller accommodation companies, or through travellers' websites, most of the ads for flat rentals in the papers are through estate or letting agents. Often you'll ring a mobile number only to find that it's not a private number after all but an estate agent â some ads will state âAGYâ to indicate this.
Estate agents can be very helpful if you need advice on accommodation options in your area or just want to get an idea of prices. You'll see their shop fronts all over London and you can walk in to see if they have anything that suits you. You should be able to get advice, ideas, and information on what is available and view properties without having to pay for anything.
Some agents have better reputations than others. Unless they operate in a highly traveller-populated area, letting agents may not be used to dealing with working travellers from overseas and your experiences with them will be very different. But if you are aware, ask questions and read your lease very carefully you should have a good experience. Be sure to ask up-front what their fees are, as some can be quite pricey.
Flatmates
Flatmates make living in London and other major cities affordable and fun. If you know people that live in London already, chances are they have a spare room or a friend with one. If you are on your own, there are plenty of rooms available in partially full flats, and you can often find these on websites like Spareroom, OnTheMarket, and Londonshared.
Often, people at your work will know someone with a room available. Generally, finding an affordable place shouldnât be too difficult since flatmates are often moving around or travelling.
A word of advice: sometimes itâs easier to find a room than flatmates! If youâre signing a lease for a three-bedroom flat, make sure you have three people ready to move in who plan to stay for the entire lease term. Itâs also wise to meet potential flatmates beforehand to see if youâre compatible. After all, youâll be sharing a kitchen, bathroom, and TV with these people, so itâs important to know if you get along before moving in.
Council Tax
is a compulsory tax levied by the local government or borough council and is paid by all residents of that borough or neighbourhood. This quarterly (usually) fee is passed on from homeowners to renters. Therefore if you sign a lease and rent a flat, be sure you have received all the information on the Council Tax due for that property. The Council Tax invoice will be posted to your address and it is to be paid by those who have signed the lease. It is not usually a huge amount, though this varies from borough to borough, still, itâs something you donât want to overlook.
Heating/Electricity/Water bills
Council tax isnât the only expense you will have to factor into your accommodation expenses. Be sure to find out what the likely costs of heating are, and how the flat is heated. Electric heating is expensive and is therefore not ideal. Some flats and houses have central heating, though it's not very common.
Beware of renting a flat that shares a heating system with other flats as you lose some usage and cost control of the heating. Also, ask about the cost of electricity and water bills for the flat/house (usually paid quarterly) to get an idea of what your total monthly outlay will be. Some flats/rooms include all bills in the weekly/monthly price which is very handy.
TV Licence UK/Cable TV
In the UK, anyone who owns a television or television equipment is required to pay for a TV licence. The revenue for this goes towards the funding of free-to-air channels like the BBC. TV licensing regulations are very strict and if you get caught with a TV at an unlicensed address (youâll be notified by mail if your address is unlicensed and given time to buy a licence) you can expect a hefty fine from the UK TV licence enforcers.
If you do have a TV but no licence, do not leave it in the bottom floor sitting room in front of an open window â youâll be a prime target for an inspection, not to mention thieves! You can find out if your property is licensed or change your current license to a new address at TV Licensing. The viewing on free-to-air TV is quite limited, with only five channels, so cable networks such as SKY are very popular. Some flats/houses will already have cable TV which will either be included in your rent or part of your additional bills.
Telephone/Cheap Internet UK
Telephone charges are obviously part of your bill obligations in most flats. Many people prefer to use a mobile phone only and not have a general landline for their flat thereby avoiding any hassles paying bills if there are numerous and transient flatmates! If you do decide you want a landline itâs worth shopping around as there are many cheaper carriers than British Telecom. It is also worth looking into the phone and cheap Internet packages in the UK (especially if your time in Internet cafes is costing you a small fortune) that include phone line rental and Internet access at a reasonable monthly price. Visit USwitch to compare phone companies and costs. It is also worth noting that it can take some time for phone and internet lines to be connected ( 4 days to three weeks from the time you order the line) so if you are connecting or activating a new line at your property, organise it sooner rather than later.
When checking out rooms/flats:
- Check how secure the building is;
- Check the water pressure in the kitchen and bathroom;
- Check storage space;
- Check lights and light switches work;
- Check what appliances/utensils are in the flat;
- Ask about the heating;
- Ask what bills (if any) are included in the price, and if not how much they usually are;
- Check if your mobile phone gets service in the area;
- Check the general state of the walls, floors, carpets, tiles;
- Check how far the flat/house is from transport, shops and conveniences.
Arm yourself with other WORKgateways’ useful tips and information.
Table of Contents
Master the Art of Job Hunting in the UK
Your Essential Guide to Navigating and Succeeding in the Competitive UK Job Market
Unlock the secrets to landing your dream job. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or an international job seeker, this book provides the tools you need to craft standout applications, ace interviews, and secure the perfect position. Don’t let the competitive job market hold you backâequip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to succeed with this indispensable resource.
