We hear a lot of students are going through hell trying to find for a normal flat for the not so flexible budget. After two weeks of intensive search it's affecting your studies - you are spending every free moment looking for a home when you should be studying instead.
Here's a few tips for the flat search:
1. Register online with all the agents in the desirable area.
Check our list of London letting agents: http://www.royalsofrent.com/london-letting-agents.
2. Visit agents with offices in good locations.
Think of where your landlord would most likely go to;) For best results dress yourself as you would for a job interview. Ask how much they charge for their services (is the fee per person?), what type of references are required and how much is normally the holding deposit. If I were you I would not tell the agent that you've instructed all the other agents on the street as well.
3. Don't rely on the letting agent to find you a flat.
You can't rest until you have paid the holding deposit.
3. Browse and call through listings on property websites.
Don't wear yourself out by checking all the sites because a lot of agents advertise on all the top 20. Just pick a couple, say http://www.findaproperty.com and one other from here: http://www.royalsofrent.com/rentals.
4. Keep an eye on Gumtree http://www.gumtree.com and Craigslist http://www.craigslist.co.uk, which have plenty of private landlord ads.
Start by looking at the ads that are more than 2 weeks old, too, as landlords usually post only once and assume that tenants can still find it under the massive stock that piles every day. In gumtree make sure you tick the ad type "Private" box in the search.
4. Be ready to pay the holding deposit at the viewing.
Good flats really do get rented very fast - that is no urban legend in London. At the same time - if you hesitate, don't rush to pay as the holding deposit is usually non-refundable.
Who's got more great tips for students?
