{"id":1945,"date":"2016-11-12T12:28:57","date_gmt":"2016-11-12T12:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/international\/?p=1945"},"modified":"2016-11-12T12:28:57","modified_gmt":"2016-11-12T12:28:57","slug":"5-helpful-tips-renting-room-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/international\/5-helpful-tips-renting-room-london\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Helpful Tips for Renting a Room in London"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout the course of the last month I took on the mammoth task of finding a room to rent. I searched frantically on various online sites like Spareroom<\/a> and Easyroommate<\/a> for a place that would suit the demands of my student life well. Gratefully, I found the right place and I have a few tips to share for a student starting a similar search.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s essential to create filters for what you want and what you don\u2019t want; the more precise\u00a0the search, the better the results. When I started off I had a basic idea about the size of house\/apartment, ideal location, price and availability. However, after various searches returned hundreds of results, I learnt the importance of being as specific as possible. From personal experience I encourage you to factor in these additional issues as you narrow down your search:<\/p>\n

1. The ratio of bathrooms to occupants<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Having more than three people per bathroom will almost always give you headaches as you try to work out each person\u2019s schedule and avoid clashes. It\u2019ll also be difficult to ensure that the room is kept clean, unless your tenancy includes cleaning services. However, even with cleaning services (usually provided weekly) it\u2019s highly unlikely that the bathroom will be clean when you need it to be. So for your peace of mind and hygiene, consider looking for a ratio of no more than three people per bathroom or an en-suite room if it fits within your price-range as a student.<\/p>\n

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Source: Huffington Post<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Agency fees<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I personally preferred dealing directly with home-owners so that we both had control over the tenancy agreement and to eliminate agency fees. However, this can come with risks, especially as an agreement without an approved letting agent may not provide you with the necessary legal protections as a student. To be safe, you may want to look for properties with agents and filter according to the amount of agency fees you\u2019ll need to pay. There are often a lot of hidden administrative fees before you check in and when you check out, hence it\u2019s important to get this information before arranging a viewing.\u00a0It’s\u00a0advisable to\u00a0check for agency fees on online rental sites as you search, or to\u00a0send an email to the agency requesting this information.<\/p>\n

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Source: Huffington Post<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Distance from your campus<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Opening a \u2018Google-Maps\u2019 tab, or any other reputable navigation site\/program as you review your options, will prove\u00a0very\u00a0handy. This will help you narrow down your search\u00a0to rooms within\u00a0reasonable distance from\u00a0your university. Consider the mode of transport you\u2019ll want to use and the amount of money you\u2019d be willing to spend on travel per month to determine the travel zone you want to live in. Given that the cost of accommodation rises as you get closer to central London, as a student\u00a0you would need to decide how much in total you would be willing to spend realistically when travel and rental costs are combined.<\/p>\n

4. The\u00a0type of house\/flat-mates<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Depending on your social life and general living habits, you’ll find it helpful to narrow down your search according to the type of house\/flat mates you\u2019d prefer. A lot of sites provide further information on the living habits of occupants and on their own preference of \u2018ideal\u2019 flat\/house mates. Take time to think seriously about the kind of environment you thrive in, to help determine the kind of people you\u2019d consider living with. Moreover, I must note that what people post online is not always an accurate reflection of reality.\u00a0With that in mind,\u00a0it\u2019s necessary to see your intended flat\/house mates in person before deciding to move in.<\/p>\n

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Source: Tutor Hub<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Nearby Amenities and Recreational Facilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This again depends on your lifestyle choices and the value you place on different recreational activities and amenities. If you\u2019re an outdoors kind of person who enjoys open spaces and the calm of nature, you\u2019d definitely want to check the location map for parks nearby. If you love sports or want to go out in the evenings; you may want to pick out locations that allow for this without having to travel too far out. It\u2019s also helpful to check how close convenience stores are, as well as places of worship if you value these. It\u2019s all up to your lifestyle choices, and your approach to coping with university demands.<\/p>\n

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Source: Booking.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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These 5\u00a0filters\u00a0can help you narrow down your choices\u00a0and find\u00a0the places that will meet your\u00a0needs. There is no guarantee that you will find the perfect place with these filters.\u00a0However, I’m certain\u00a0they will help you be more loyal to your preferences\u00a0in your search. Please note that some of these filters may not work if you\u2019re searching for a non-shared flat or student halls.<\/p>\n

I trust this will be of benefit in your next or current room search. I\u2019ve also\u00a0included helpful links below to articles that can help you as you search for suitable accommodation:<\/p>\n