Spareroom.co.uk‘s Speed Flatmating event series for people looking for a flatshare is all that everyone seems to be talking about this week!

10.9.2010 The Independent: Savvy young renters are using speed-dating tactics to find a home  
- Holly Williams pins on her name badge and goes flat-hunting.

8.9.2010 The Evening Standard/Homes & Property: Let’s Get Flat-Matey
- Charlotte Metcalf joined the fun.

Next event takes place on the 14th of September in East End – 150 Brick Lane E1 6QL. Reserve your place today!

I Want Spike From Notting Hill As My Flatmate (Facebook)

Finding that perfect flatmate is usually not an entirely painless procedure with pleasant results. No matter how good you think you have vetted your future housemate – it is a lottery, really. Experienced sharers would probably agree with us when we say that before you invite someone over to see the flat, you better let them know some characteristics of your ideal flatmate. Saves time for you and the time-wasters!

The ideal flat mate would be someone whose down to earth and chilled out; I tend to understand and get on with almost everyone I meet. - Flatmateclick.co.uk

It would be good to find someone who is sociable when at home but also has a lot of things going on too. – SpareRoom.co.uk

My ideal flatmate would be taller than me (not difficult I guess and very handy for reaching the top shelves), warm and friendly, mid to late twenties, female and working – i.e. not a full time student. – Facebook group: Flat to share

As all of us living here are Christians believing in Jesus Christ the ideal housemate would be someone who fits in with that. We like it when housemates have their cell groups in the lounge and put wonderful bible versus up. – Gumtree

People interested food and health, green or social justice issues, the Arts particularly welcome. - Gumtree

We’re looking for a similar person in their twenties who is also looking for a home, not just a crash pad! – SpareRoom.co.uk

The ideal flatmate would be friendly, clean, sociable and out going. – Moveflat.co.uk

We preferably would like to find a french speaking person as we are all french BUT if you really feel comfortable with being the only non french speaking of the flat, then you are more than welcome as long as you are friendly and laid – back. – Franceinlondon.co.uk

I’m looking for non-smoking professional who is respectful, clean and tidy in shared spaces and friendly and fun. – SpareRoom.co.uk

London Rooms For Rent SpareRoom.co.uk
Rooms For Rent in London Flatshare EasyRoommate.co.uk
Flatshare & Houseshare Gumtree
Marketplace in Facebook

Online room rental website FlatMateRooms.co.uk recently re-launched introducing a new pricing structure, introducing a totally FREE advertising option.

Whilst most companies in the room rental market work like a dating website where members register free but have to pay when they want to contact another member, Flatmaterooms didn’t follow this path and allow you to advertise free. They have also introduced a great value paid option too called Jump The Queue.

Both options are explained below:

1. The Free Option allows members to advertise rooms to rent or room wanted adverts free but only Jump the Queue members will have access to your contact details in the first 7 days after that everyone has access to your details.

2. The Jump The Queue option upgrades your membership and lets you

- Contact the newest adverts 7 days before anyone else giving you first choice
- Makes all your adverts featured
- Gives you a higher ranking
- Gets you twice as much interest
- All members get access to your adverts from day one not having to wait 7 days
- 30 days Jump The Queue Membership costs £10

Landlords can advertise up to 3 properties for free.

FlatMateRooms website also has a full advice centre covering over 40 subjects, an easy map search facility, you can upload photos even a video.

We like the clean look of the site and it really is very easy to use, so why not give it a try – jump to FlatMateRooms.co.uk

Only 31 days left to enter SpareRoom‘s fantastic contest where one lucky UK flat sharer will win a whole year’s free rent!

Click here to register!

Flatmates from Fulham, Putney and surrounding areas gather tonight at 7pm @ SoBar on Fulham Broadway!

* 75-100 flatmates at every event
* Meet many potential flatmates in the time it would normally take to meet one
* Bring a friend and start your night out here

Click here to register yoyrself if you want to take part in it.

Did you know that every month, flatshare website SpareRoom gives away 1 month’s rent to one lucky winner? On top of that, to celebrate their 5th Birthday, they are giving away a whole year’s rent! 

You are eligable to enter the competitions if you are renting with your friends, living as a lodger or renting a room in shared property. 

All you have to do is enter your E-mail HERE.

PS! Read the terms and conditions. The rent amount is calculated using website’s Rental Index!

*Flickr, Icemoon

Popular classified ad site Gumtree is an interesting read even if you are not currently not looking to rent, buy or sell anything. The keyword search option will take you to places you did not know existed.

We did a little search on for free offers in the London accommodation section:

- Free Wireless connection only £140 per week Studio in N Kensington
- Free in-house gym 1-bed flat in Brentford
- HASSEL FREE Studio in Seven Sisters
- Live 5 days rent Free 2-bed in zone 2
- Play tennis for free and feed the squirrels in the sun Double room in turnpike Lane
- Attractive City Lawyer Offering Free Accommodation for Intimacy
- Drive you from property to property, FREE OF CHARGE Holloway
- Free gym and swimming pool access 3-bed in Elephant & Castle
- Free cable and WiFi internet 2-bed in South Kensington
- Council tax is FREE for tenants 3-bed house in Leyton
- Free phone calls 24 hours to UK landline numbers Double room in Southfields
- The house enjoys free cleaning service Double room in Tower Hill
- You can share the cutlery but you are free to use your own one Single room in Sour East London
- Free DVD rentals Double room in Charlton
- First week rent free Double room in Wimbledon

NB! The ads that offer totally free accommodation should not be taken seriously.

PS It is very important that you read these top tips for staying safe before answering any accommodation ads on classified ad sites.

We are excited to hear that SpareRoom.co.uk is planning to launch a new magazine! The ultimate guide to finding your ideal flat or house share in Greater London should be in most of the newsstands from 1st of May for £2.50.

If you want your ad in that number, that very first edition – you better hurry up and place your ad now. Bold photo ad costs only £24.95, other options are cheaper. 

Click here to find out more.

Say you’re renting a room in a flat, where at some point one of the tenants is moving out. The landlord might let you choose your new flatmate, provided you find him/her yourself. Where should you advertise the room?

This question was actually asked in LandlordZone forum but we’ll ask the same question for London specifically:

Which website is best to advertise a room to let in London?

What would you recommend and why?

Here is the list of websites that we know of:
EasyRoommate.com Lots of latmates, flatshares
FlatmateClick.co.uk Good selection of flatmates & flatshares
Gumtree Clasifieds site. Post room wanted or room available
Live Simply Listings from private landlords only
MoveFlat.co.uk Flatshares
Spareroom.co.uk Flat- & houseshares, flat- & roommates

The founder of spareroom.co.uk, Rupert Hunt, says that record numbers of people have been taking in lodgers in recent months. More and more financially stretched homeowners are taking in a tenant to avoid problems with paying the mortgage. Times adds that even Kate Moss has a lodger. How hip is that?! Read more here.