The Renters Guide to London

The Renters Guide to London

Although London is a brilliant place to live, work and study, it has the highest rents of any city in the world. According to CBRE, the average rent is £2,083 per month.

To help you find the best place to rent, based on your lifestyle, family situation, hobbies and budgets, we’ve put together this short guide.

Step 1: Before you start your search, write a list of your essential criteria. Be clear on what is important to you and your family.

Step 2: have a clear budget in mind for your monthly rent. Don’t forget to include all utility bills and letting fees.

The majority of letting agencies charge tenants a fee which covers:

• viewings
• negotiating the tenancy
• verifying references
• writing contracts
• contract variations

REKA is different from other letting Agencies, because we eliminate all tenant fees for the above items.

Step 3: find the right location for you and your family. Consider the best location for your situation. 

For example, if you’re a young professional, you may want to consider areas such as Islington, Croydon, Docklands, Knightsbridge or Clapham. These locations are close to central London, with great transport links that include entertainment options with museums, galleries, bars, gyms, pubs and restaurants close by. 

On the other hand, if you have a young family, then you would probably consider areas that have great schools, parks, supermarkets, good transport and low crime rates, such as Hampstead, Richmond or Sutton.

Or if you are a student can afford to live close to uni, then that is the best option. However, you may also consider areas with good transport, that are affordable, have great nightlight and quality supermarkets, such as Woolwich, Deptford, Stratford and Greenwich.

Step 4: find a reputable letting agent. For our clients, we recommend that they meet with us to tell us what they are looking for in a rental. Then when we find the right property for them, we call them.

Step 5: create a short-list of the best properties for you and your family based on your research and discussions with your letting agent. 

Step 6: view the best properties. We recommend that you view several properties from short-list, so that you can make an informed decision.

Step 7: tell your letting agent which property you want.

Step 8: sign the letting contract and pay your deposit. You will then receive the following:

• Deposit certificate
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property 
• Gas safety Certificate 
• How to Rent Guide leaflet, issued by the Government

Step 9: move in and enjoy your new home.

The Next Steps

At REKA, we are not just a letting agent. We’re landlords and property investors – so we understand what really matters to you.

That’s why we don’t charge agency fees or contract renewal fees, because we believe tenants have enough costs to pay when looking for rental accommodation.

If you’re searching for quality self-contained studios, rooms with ensuites, houses, flats and apartments for long-term letting and short stay in North, South, East and West London, then feel free contact us on +44 (0) 203 286 6468 or email us at lettings@RekaProperty.co.uk.

Or stay up to date with the latest news on available accommodation by connecting with us on Facebook,YouTube or Twitter.

Doug 

P.S. Please share your comments below. Where do you currently live? How long have you been renting? Where do you want to live? I would love to know your experiences and thoughts on this topic. I hope our paths cross again soon.