What's the best way to find affordable accommodation in 1 week around QMUL

I'm moving to London on 23rd of June. I have booked a room for one week, but I need to find more long-term place within that week.

I am open to living in Zone 1 or 2, though the closer to QMUL the better, as I will be spending a lot of time on campus.

I have checked gumtree and spareroom. I am looking for either a room, or a studio.

Are there any estate agents you guys recommend? or particular places to check once I am in London? What are the average (not the luxury options like Scape student living) prices to expect?

From gumtree average room seems to between £500 to £650 per month, including bills. Is that correct?

What kind of price can you expect to pay for a studio? Not fabulous designer studio - just a self-contained space with a small kitchenette and a bathroom that wouldn't suffocate you?

I've just been house hunting in London around Lewisham, which is apparently cheap, and the small studios were around 800-900 a month, and even up to 1200.

I guess I will be renting just a room then

What kind of price can you expect to pay for a studio? Not fabulous designer studio - just a self-contained space with a small kitchenette and a bathroom that wouldn't suffocate you?

Hi DollyG! Unfortunately during the summer a lot of private providers increase their weekly rents which makes your situation a little bit more tricky. I would definitely agree you should check with Queen Mary - if you're on a precessional course they're bound to have some rooms available for you as all of their normal accommodation only extends for about 35 - 40 weeks, leaving the summer open for language schools and precessional courses.

If your budget is £600pcm Scape would probably be too high, however our rents over the summer are around £225 per week which includes all bills. If you are interested let us know. Otherwise, would you consider a flat share or a hostel? They typically offer the lowest prices.

You can also try looking on spareroom.com or findaflatmate.com - lots of students leave London for the summer to go home, so you may end up with a deal for someone who just wants some money back when they have a long term contract.

Or if you look at areas a little farther out that are still convenient to Queen Mary, that may help you find something within your budget. Stratford is only 5 minutes on the tube, and will be considerably cheaper, same with Bow and West Ham. Several buses go down Mile End Road and head toward Poplar and Woolwich, both of which are more affordable.

Hopefully you're able to find something close enough to uni within your price range. Good luck and let us know if you need any help!

- Jane

Thanks, Jane. I'm actually moving permanently to London, so not looking for short-term accommodation. Just didn't want to move right before the term starts and have last minute scramble for housing, so moving a couple of months in advance.

Yes, I already checked out Scape, which looks great, but bit too high pricing for me. I'm quite flexible about areas, so I will continue to look at all the areas you mentioned. While studio is my first preference, I'm totally amenable to getting a flatshare, but it seems it would be easier to get something once I am in London, so I will do the hunt when I am there.

I'm in the same boat I think - I'm looking for a shared house ideally since student accommodation might be a bit too rowdy for me (I really hate being kept up at night and I'd rather go out and socialise rather than have to at home - I sound miserable, I'm really not!) but I don't really know where to look! Everything seems to be a lot quicker than I'm used to, with landlords saying asking about three or four months in advance being too much.

Try looking at shared accomodation around jamaica street not too far from QM, quite a lot of student flats and seem to be decent in terms of cost. Also do check out QM groups on facebook about others looking for a place too or looking to give the last few months of their contract to others

The absolute cheapest way to live anywhere close to London is to flat share, the problem with this is that most places will want a guarantor which earns a specific amount just in case you cannot pay the rent. Also they'll usually want 6 weeks rent as deposit, most students cannot afford this, so if you do flat share you'll need to make sure they can afford it first otherwise they will be a hindrance.

That's only when you go to rent a whole flat with a group of people, or by certain landlord/agencies. Most private landlords actually just ask you for a month's rent worth of deposit, and you get your own room. They might ask previous landlord's reference, but that's about it.

Of course it's a different situation for me, because I'm a post-graduate and a mature student, so I am able to give them references.