Moving house is often cited as one of the most stressful experiences people go through.
This is particularly true if you are yet to find somewhere to move into and have to search the market.
It is even harden when you are looking for flats to rent in London.
London is a vast city and while its size, cosmopolitan feel and thriving social scene attract many people, the truth is that finding a place to live can be difficult.
The fact that London is an expensive city is well known, however, many of those who move there from other places are surprised at just how much of their monthly salary goes on rent.
Rental prices vary greatly in London, with a stylish central London house likely to cost at least £2,000 per week, while a flat in Shoreditch can be yours for around £120 per week.
Finding a place to rent in London can be tedious and time-consuming, however, by following certain tips, you can make the process less frustrating than it needs to be.
List the things you want
Having a clear idea of what you are looking for will make it a lot easier to find it.
You need to work out your budget and with this factor in potential travel costs to and from work, whether you want to live alone or with housemates, whether you want to live near friends and the local amenities you want.
Also, you must decide whether you want a furnished or unfurnished property, how long you intend to rent for and whether you need to concern yourself with the congestion charge.
The distance to and from work is a major consideration for many people. While London is a relatively easy place to get around, it can be expensive, so you need to consider this when weighing up where you want to live.
Look online
Every estate agent has an online presence these days and you can input various pieces of information such as weekly or monthly rent, the date you want to move in and other pieces of information and search through flats that meet your criteria.
Estate agents can also take down your information and contact you when something that fits your criteria becomes available, so they are an important resource to use.
Message boards such as Gumtree and similar sites are also popular with those who have rooms to rent and can be a useful resource for those searching for a place to live.
Thoroughly inspect the flats that you view
Viewing a flat involves more than simply looking in every room and then leaving within two minutes.
It is important not to dismiss places out of hand right away. If you are absolutely adamant that a particular flat is not to your liking then you should avoid looking at similar places.
However, when viewing places, you need to check the condition of things such as window locks, taps, storage cupboards and the boiler.
If possible, you should also speak to tenants already in the flat to ask them about the landlord, what the area is like and other issues.
These are just some of the tips that can help you when looking for London flats.
Even with these tips, expect the process to be quite frustrating.
Speed is of the essence when looking for somewhere to live in London. Flats can be taken within two days of them being advertised, which is why it is a good idea to consult an estate agent as part of your search.
