[Ivanka]

I decided to move in with a friend of mine that lives near London. We agreed that we both would search for interesting flats or houses, let each other know and she would go for a viewing (as I won't be in the UK until the academic year starts). Recently, she visited a real estates agency and they told her to wait until the Games are over, but she asked me yesterday if I had applied for halls and added that this flat hunt is frustrating, but she's found something... (I didn't apply for the halls, because I had a very bad experience with them.)

I don't understand - is it really that hard to find a flat? Shall we be on the safe side when we wait until the Games end?

And, if the worst happens, can I just contact an agency if I find something by myself, take it without a viewing and just move in when I arrive in the UK (and sort out contracts and money online...)?

I'm just afraid I'll end up homeless

[hothedgehog]

I think the point is that there are a lot of houses that have been rented out just during the games so the housing market is a bit bigger than normal to be honest. Why they can't just show non-games related houses is a bit beyond me but I suspect that's their reasoning to be honest. Flat hunting shouldn't be too hard if you are just a bit flexible with things to be honest.

[UPPSY]

the quality of accommodation is shockingly poor often it really is.
I really would view it first. Some places I went to see mother could smell and she is known for not being able to smell well anything.
you could chose one with mouldy walls or infestations.
please have a look first.

[JoannaMilano]

The Games won't make much of a difference, imo. Most landlord who were letting things for the Olympics were still showing their flats for September contracts back in June. They just said "Oh, you can't have this until after the Olympics".

It's not impossible to find a flat in London, but it's incredibly hard to find something good. We viewed about ten flats before we found a suitable one, and all of them looked good in the photos and location wise but were rubbish in person. Not many letting agents put out floorplans of houses, so you can get a shock when you turn up and the bedroom is the size of a shoe box.

I think you'd stuggle to find a landlord willing to do everything over the phone. Property in London moves so fast that there's no incentive to let you have the flat and risk that you'll drop out when you come and see it in person, when there's so many people who can view the flat and put down the deposit straight away. We were hunting as a four and a lot of landlords were iffy about letting us sign the contract when only one or two of us had seen it, in case someone pulled out later. I can't imagine they'd be happy renting to a person/a pair where no one had seen the flat.

Also, most flats require a UK based guarantor. Do you have that? If you don't, it would narrow your choice even further. I think your best bet would be to look on some flatsharing websites and find people who are looking for an extra flatmate. It would be cheaper and easier than renting by yourself or with one friend.

[Ivanka]

(Original post by JoannaMilano)
The Games won't make much of a difference, imo. Most landlord who were letting things for the Olympics were still showing their flats for September contracts back in June. They just said "Oh, you can't have this until after the Olympics".

It's not impossible to find a flat in London, but it's incredibly hard to find something good. We viewed about ten flats before we found a suitable one, and all of them looked good in the photos and location wise but were rubbish in person. Not many letting agents put out floorplans of houses, so you can get a shock when you turn up and the bedroom is the size of a shoe box.

I think you'd stuggle to find a landlord willing to do everything over the phone. Property in London moves so fast that there's no incentive to let you have the flat and risk that you'll drop out when you come and see it in person, when there's so many people who can view the flat and put down the deposit straight away. We were hunting as a four and a lot of landlords were iffy about letting us sign the contract when only one or two of us had seen it, in case someone pulled out later. I can't imagine they'd be happy renting to a person/a pair where no one had seen the flat.

Also, most flats require a UK based guarantor. Do you have that? If you don't, it would narrow your choice even further. I think your best bet would be to look on some flatsharing websites and find people who are looking for an extra flatmate. It would be cheaper and easier than renting by yourself or with one friend.

I looked up what it is, but I don't have such person. I honestly didn't know that this is usually required, I thought that a bank account in the UK would be fine...

Is sharing a flat or a house safe? I mean, I've heard a lot of unhappy stories and I'm not sure if I could rely on compeltely unknown people (I shared a room with someone in the halls, but if there was a problem, you could always contact someone superior and complain).

[JoannaMilano]

(Original post by Ivanka)
I looked up what it is, but I don't have such person. I honestly didn't know that this is usually required, I thought that a bank account in the UK would be fine...

Is sharing a flat or a house safe? I mean, I've heard a lot of unhappy stories and I'm not sure if I could rely on compeltely unknown people (I shared a room with someone in the halls, but if there was a problem, you could always contact someone superior and complain).

I've never heard of a contract where a UK guarantor wasn't required. A bank account in the UK isn't enough, because they need proof that if you disappear or can't make the rent payments, someone else will do so on your behalf. Sometimes the International Office at UCL will act as guarantor I've heard, but I'm not sure what you'd have to do for them to agree.

Well I guess you just have to hope that the people you find are OK. If it's your only option, then I guess you have to take it and hope for the best. I lived with **** housemates in Italy and while it was annoying, it wasn't the end of the world. Sometimes you just have to make the best of a bad situation, remind yourself it's only a year and whine about them to your friends to make yourself feel better. Good luck!

[Nido]

Hi Ivanka,

My name is Emma and I work for Nido Student Living. I saw your post and though I could help. We are a private accommodation provider in London. We have 3 central London residences in Spitalfields near Liverpool Street station, Notting Hill near Westbourne Park and King's Cross.

Most of our residents are students from abroad and many have booked their accommodation from oversees without being able to come and have a look for them selves. To give you an idea, we have photo galleries and virtual tours which you can view on our website. You can just book your room online and you don't need a bank account in the UK to book this.

We offer different room types, you can choose from ensuite Single Studios, Twin options and Shared Apartments. If you would like to share with your friend, the Two-Bedroom Studio would be a great option for you. In the studio both of you will have your own bedroom which you can lock and you will share a kitchenette and one bathroom with a shower and sink and one bathroom with a toilet and a sink. So you both have your own space and don't have to wait to get into the bathroom in the mornings!

We also have a Residence Life Team on-site who help students with any problems/queries that may arise during your stay. They also organise weekly events, movie nights, excursions and parties.

You can find a lot of information on our website but you can also contact our reservations team with any questions on +44 (0)20 3102 1060. Or just drop me a message and I'm happy to help with any questions!

Hope this helps!

Emma.

[JoannaMilano]

Nido are stupidly expensive. How anyone can justify charging £225 a week for a shared room is beyond me. I think it says it all that the majority of the people who live there are internationals who would struggle to rent privately due to guarantor issues. Seems pretty exploitative to me.

[Ivanka]

(Original post by JoannaMilano)
Nido are stupidly expensive. How anyone can justify charging £225 a week for a shared room is beyond me. I think it says it all that the majority of the people who live there are internationals who would struggle to rent privately due to guarantor issues. Seems pretty exploitative to me.

Those who run cheap accommodation usually don't earn too much money and therefore cannot afford this advertising. I'm wondering how much UCL Accommodation Office must receive from these businesses, because when I looked up the section Alternative Accommodation, there were only two halls offered with weekly rents under 150 pounds.

Surprisingly, my friend has managed to find a flat and sh's going to have a look at it. Hopefully things will go easier right now and the guarantor issue will be solved somehow...

[JoannaMilano]

(Original post by Ivanka)
Those who run cheap accommodation usually don't earn too much money and therefore cannot afford this advertising. I'm wondering how much UCL Accommodation Office must receive from these businesses, because when I looked up the section Alternative Accommodation, there were only two halls offered with weekly rents under 150 pounds.

Surprisingly, my friend has managed to find a flat and sh's going to have a look at it. Hopefully things will go easier right now and the guarantor issue will be solved somehow...

It's just pure exploitation. On the private market, you can get a single room with a double bed right next to UCL for £160ish. To charge another £65 on top of that for a shared room the other side of King's Cross is just appalling. It's a shame UCL aren't looking out for their international students more.

Good luck, I really hope you find something good

[hellohihey]

Have a look on Gumtree for rooms if you're stuck, some people have really last minute rooms for rent you could move into instantly so it could be worth a look.
Good luck


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Nido]

Hi Ivanka,

Thanks for your reply. We appreciate your points. Our rooms are in a higher price range as all you utility bills are included and also within your rent you get in-house access to lots of extra services: reception team, gym facilities, on-site Maintenance Team, internet, screening room, laundry, games space, outdoor courtyards, TV and study lounges, 24-hour security and a Residence Life Team. Also taking in account our properties are located in zone 1 and 2. In our Nido King's Cross residence the twin share option already starts from £185 pp/pw.

We completely understand and it's no problem if this was not the price range you were looking for. So we hope you find a great flat to share with your friend!

Emma.

[raj1990]

Zoopla!