Renting for a few months or buying a place for life? London has a wealth of options
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The market:
London offers a vast range of
rental and purchase options from one-bedroom flats in lower-cost areas to huge period town
houses with private gardens. That said, limited supply and strong demand makes London’s housing
market one of the most competitive in the world
- Where to start: as with all major cities, finding the right accommodation takes time and effort. Each London district has its own distinct character, so start by working out which location suits you best. You should consider budget, proximity to work, transport links, amenities, shops, restaurants and nightlife, leisure facilities, schools (if you have children of school age) and demographic profile. Find out more:
- Using an agency: London is home to hundreds of agencies that specialise in letting or selling property. Once you’ve confirmed your criteria, you should be given a shortlist of properties to view.
- Doing it yourself: thanks to the advent of online search services, it’s now possible to find your own property quickly without involving an agent early on. The best sites aggregate available flats and houses from several agencies. Popular services listing properties to rent and for sale include propertyfinder.com and fish4homes
- Sharing a property: sharing accommodation is one of the best ways to get to know London quickly. Good websites include Gumtree, Spareroom and Into London. Numerous London-based publications including Time Out and the Evening Standard carry accommodation advertising. Find out more about:
- Buying property: if you’re staying in London longer-term you might consider purchasing a property. There are scores of estate agents who can help you find the right property in an area that suits you best.
