Photo: Courtesy of Winkworth, James Pendleton, Knight Frank.
Photo: Courtesy of Stirling Ackroyd, Hamptons.
1 Great Studio In North London
Photo: Courtesy of KFH.
Kirkstall Road, Streatham Hill, SW2, £210 per week
4 Great One Bedroom Flats In East London
Photo: Courtesy of Frank Harris, Winkworth, Stirling Ackroyd
3 Great One Bedroom Flats In North London
Penton Street, Islington, N1, £400 per week
Photo: Courtesy of KFH and Winkworth.
4 Great One Bedroom Flats In South London
Photo: Courtesy of Hampton.
1 Great 2 Bedroom Flat In East London
Luke Street, EC2A, £400 per week
Photo: Courtesy of Sterling Ackroyd.
Heathfield Road, Wandsworth Common, SW18, £375 a week
Plantation Wharf, Battersea Park, SW11, £395 per week
Photo: Courtesy of KFH, Winkworth, James Pendleton.
When it comes to finding your dream flat, timing is of the essence. You have to be able to act quickly.
"At the moment we’re in a tenant-friendly market but when the tables turn – you will have to act quickly and have to be prepared to be flexible." Suggests Woolfden.
Know the administration fees you should expect to pay once you’ve found your dream home.
"The administration fee should include the price of drawing up the tenancy agreement, plus the 6 week rental deposit and the inventory check of the property." Suggests Woolfenden.
Be honest and tell the letting agent if you have any issues with bad credit.
"Lots of agencies will credit reference tenants. They will verify employment and see whether you’re on the electoral roll.” Explains Guest. “If you have a CCJ – County Court Judgment, tell the letting agent as soon as possible. It is up to the landlord to make a decision. The more honest a tenant can be the better."
Make sure you have all of the funds in your account for the costs you have to pay out.
As Guest explains, "All monies paid have to be cleared funds. We need verification that it has been authorized before we hand over the keys."
Make sure you have all of the paperwork to hand before you sign on the dotted line.
"You need to see the tenancy agreement and prescribed information as to how your deposit will be protected. You will need to check the breakdown agreement for the move in charges. The landlord also has to provide you with a Gas Safety record, to confirm all the appliances are safe, as well as an EPC, Energy Performance Certificate too." Says Guest.
Keep in touch with your letting agent. Don’t be mysterious.
"Stay in touch with the agent you are working with and tell them if your circumstances have changed.” Advises Spencer. “Build up trust, as people rent to applicants that they have a rapport with."
If you’re looking for a bargain, you might want to hold off looking for a flat over the summer.
"The traditional busy time to rent a flat is July and August, as people are finishing college and starting new jobs. A lot more people are coming into the marketplace then." Explains Spencer.
Work out how long you are prepared for your commute to work to be each day.
As Spencer explains, "There’s a saying, the further you go down the Northern Line, the cheaper [the rent] gets."
Found your perfect flat? Perfect the art of negotiation.
"A lot of applicants will think it’s about the rent but there are a lot of other things that can help with negotiations.” Advices McCallum. “Think about how quickly you can move, how will you pay, by direct debit or otherwise. Or how many of you will be living in the flat. Think about what you can add to the negotiating mix."