ACCOMODATION
Etiquettes for Flatshare Hunting
When you contact someone through gumtree or other website, always provide some basic information about you in your first email.
Example of a Good Contact:-
Hi, I am XYZ originally from XYZ part of Asia/Europe. I work with XYZ company in a full time job as IT/Marketing/XYZ Consultant.
I am looking to rent a decent place for minimum 3-6 months.I am a clean person, non-smoker, eat both veg & non veg, social and with an open mind.
I like a quiet place as I am not a noisy/party person myself. My budget is upto £450 only. Please let me know if my details match your requirement.
Cheers
Example of a Bad Contact
Hello, I am XYZ looking for room. I am working. My contact no. is 653656536153. Call me back!
Example of a VERY VERY Bad Contact
Hello, My contact no. is 653656536153. Call me back!
NOTE:
- When you book a viewing appointment with the landlord or agent, always inform them if you can’t make itUsually while booking you will say “I will be coming in evening at around 7pm to see the flat.” – So take it as a commitment! In evening if you can’t make it, before 5-6pm (not later than 6:00pm), always inform the landlord/agent.
Good Approach.
- “Sorry I won’t be able to come as I have found another option. Please don’t wait for me!”Bad Approach.
– No call or message from you and landlord keeps waiting for you! THIS IS CONSIDERED VERY BAD and should be avoided.
One of the biggest concerns of anyone moving to London/UK is Accomodation.
Quick Note: When you move houses In UK, you can take advantage of Royal Mail Redirection (roughly £5/month). This facility will automatically redirect all your post from old address to new address. You can even apply Online for it at www.royalmail.com. You will never miss that important bank/creditcard statement or your visa papers from homeoffice.
Q1-How much is average living cost in london?
Ans- London is divided into 6 Zones. Click here http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/travel/downloads/tube_map.html Or http://www.londontown.com/TubeMaps/TubeMapLarge.jpg to see the map. Central London is Zone 1 and is the costliest place to live. In this zone, a room in an average shared accomodation (3-4 rooms in one flat/house) will typically cost you £600-£700+ Pcm
As you move towards outer zones, rooms/flats/houses get cheaper. The best website to check for room rents is http://www.gumtree.com.. To get these cheap accomodations, either visit the local Newsagent shops’ windows or PG Accomodation section of this Guide! Crime and security scene of all these areas is more or less same. Check www.upmystreet.com for the crime scene in the neighbourhood you are thinking of moving in. For women, London is comparatively safer than many parts of South
Your Rights As Tenants – All Kinds of Tenancy Explained here
www.gumtree.com – A leading site for london
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk – Excellent guide for student accomodation
www.ononemap.com – Amazing Google Maps Based Site!
Q: Types of Short Term/Bed&Breakfast/Tourist Accomodation in UK?
Two Kinds of Rental Accomodation:-
Shared Acco – 2 or more people share same house, kitchen, toilets etc. Every tenant gets an individual room. Most shared-acco rental contracts are for 6 months (rolling after that) with 2-4 weeks notice period. You are expected to pay deposit (usually one month’s rent) and one month’s rent upfront. Usually these contracts are done direct with landlords and estate agents arenot involved in them
Whole House/Flat – This typically involves three parties 1)Tenant (single person, couple or group of friends), 2)Estate Agent, 3) Landlord. Landlord is more or less invisible in this arrangement (although by law, you can ask for Landlord’s contact details). Estate Agents take care of the house, rent and all maintenance. You will have to go through a Credit Check (at your cost – £45 Approx) and in some cases might have to provide reference letter from your Employer. Estate agents will charge admin and contract drawing fees ( £60 – £125 Approx) to you. Contracts are Assured tenancy agreement of 6-12 months. (rolling after that – with one month notice period). In most cases, You will have to pay 1 months rent in advance and deposit which could be 1 to 1.5 times of monthly rent. You are liable to pay for remaining term of contract if you have to leave before the term is over, unless you, with mutual agreement between you and estate agent, find out someone who is interested to take up the property on rent.
House Move Tips:
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- Register yourself on voter’s list (www.aboutmyvote.co.uk) and with a local GP (Free Healthcare Doctor) (find nearest surgery/clinic on NHS website) as soon as you move into a new accomodation.
- If you are the sole occupier or have a non-earning spouse then you can get 15-25% council-tax discount if you apply for it in writing at your local council office.
- When you move houses In UK, you can take advantage of Royal Mail Redirection (roughly £5/month). This facility will automatically redirect all your post from old address to new address. You can even apply Online for it at www.royalmail.com. You will never miss that important bank/creditcard statement or your visa papers from homeoffice 🙂
- Always take meter readings on the day you move out and move in. Check from your landlord/estate agent about who are the utility (gas, electricity, water) provider companies for the house you are moving in. Its your responsibility to call up utility companies and inform them about your house move. Any laziness here can spoil your credit history later. To find out which utility company provides cheapest gas/electricity in your area try www.moneysupermarket.com Or www.uswitch.com
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- Virgin Media is the best choice for Telephone/Cable TV if they provide fibre-optic (Not services through a Normal BT Telephone Landline) services in your postcode area. Its usually a 12 month contract. Otherwise you can go with SKY TV and Broadband. You will need British Telecom (BT- Telephone Line) for Sky Broadband. Sky & BT both will also require you to sign a 12 Month Contract. For Sky Dish antenna make sure you get the permission from landlord or estate agent in writing.
- For Broadband Service comparison check http://www.thinkbroadband.com/
O2 Broadband is also a very good deal for money if you have a O2 mobile contract!
- Tesco, ASDA and Wilkinson are considered to be the cheapest Groceries and Home Goods Superstores in UK. However, if you are in london, your local high street will most probably have a 1 Pound shop like (poundland, costcutter, 98p shop etc), where most household things are sold for around £1. These can save you lot of money while settling in a new accomodation.
- Argos, Index, PRIMARK are some other high street shops famous among general public. They provide quality products like furniture, bed linen, clothes etc for cheap prices along with 30 days money back guarantee.
Hostel/Student Accomodation:
HOST – This Company arranges student accommodation in Westminster and rest of London.
Reg Address:
211 Streatham Road
Mitcham
Surrey
United Kingdom
CR4 2AJ
Tel: +44 02086464320
Fax: +44 02086460905
Indian YMCA – check http://www.indianymca.org/ for rates of rooms.
YMCA Indian Student Hostel
41 Fitzroy Square
London W1T 6AQ
Telephone:020 7387 0411
Fax 020 7383 4735
Email: reservations@indianymca.org
London WaterLoo Christian Alliance Centre
2 Secker Street
Waterloo
London
SE1 8UF
Tel: 020 7450 4601
Fax: 020 7401 9945
London WaterLoo Christian Alliance Centre Convent Religious Of Mary Immaculate Hostel (For Girls)
Nice Hostel Near Gloucester Road Station
15 Southwell Gardens
London
SW7 4RN
020 73733869
Find More Youth Hostels Click here – Complete List A , Complete List B