There are many different parameters when it comes to looking for a place to live. And to be honest, one of the most challenging aspects of finding a quality apartment in London is to narrow down your list of ‘wants’ when searching for your new home.
Of course, certain other aspects come into play, such as
- Are you going to rent or buy?
- Is this a long-term home?
- Is it only you who’s going to live there, or are there others to take into consideration?
The above questions are ones that are easy to answer. But there are plenty of other considerations that are necessary to think about before you even begin the search for an apartment.
So let’s take a look at some of these, and discover the way you can go about making your accommodation hunt as smooth and easy as possible.
How much do apartments cost in London?
The cost of a quality London apartment has many variables. The main ones are a) the size of the apartment, and b) the location of the apartment. London Property Watch is a real time property price website that daily updates the average asking prices for properties for sale in the London area. In addition to that, the site also provides average rental prices as well, differentiated by area.
The websites Zoopla and Right Move list rental and for sale properties on the market. These are updated in real time, and it’s possible to vary your search by area, property size, price and other variants according to your needs. According to property listing site, Gumtree, in a survey carried out in 2014, the average rental price in London for a one bed flat was £1,211 per month, and £1,605 for a two bedroom.
How to lower the cost of buying or renting in London
Renting and buying an apartment in London is expensive, there’s no doubt about that. But one of the best ways to lower the cost is to live in one of the cheaper areas of the city. These include such places as Acton in West London, Anerley in South East London and Beckton in East London.
The reason these are less expensive to live are simply because they are areas that have not yet hit the headlines as the most ‘en vogue’ places in which to rent or purchase a home. But they offer excellent transport options into the centre of the city, thanks to the London Buses and the Tube. For instance, Acton to Leicester Square will take around 24 minutes, from Anerley it will take 37 minutes and from Beckton, 42 minutes – making all these areas a viable commuting option.
Other important criteria when searching for a quality apartment
Once you’ve gone through the obvious points of an accommodation search, such as how much you can afford, where you want to live and the size of property, then the time comes to visit some possible abodes. Here are some words of wisdom when it comes to things to check out before signing on the dotted line. After all, you’re the one who’s going to be living there – not the estate agent or rental firm. So you owe it to yourself to be sure that this is the place you want to spend a good amount of your time.
- Speak to the neighbours. This is a good way to get the lowdown on the area, plus check that you’re not planning on moving in next door to the family from hell!
- Check out the heating system. Does the thermostat work? Do you understand the fuel used – is it gas, electricity or oil fired? Each has their pros and cons, not the least to do with price.
- Check all the windows. Are they in good condition, and do they open properly. It’s very important for safety that every room has opening windows. Mould or mildew on the windows could be a sign of damp, or that the windows might need replacing in the near future – an expensive task if you’ve just purchased the property.
- Are there smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fitted? This is vital for your own safety. Rental properties should provide these. If you’re buying, then it should be one of the first things you do when moving into your new property.
- Try and check out the property during the busiest time of the day. That way you’ll get a realistic idea about traffic noise, people walking past your front door and other intrusive sounds that might prove annoying.
- Is there allocated parking? Not a problem if you don’t have a car, but if you do, the last thing you want at the end of a long day is to have to spend 20 minutes searching for somewhere to leave your vehicle.
- Are there any service charges or ground rent that you’ll be expected to pay on top of your rent? A landlord has to give you this information by law, so ensure that you know exactly how much you’ll be expected to pay.
Other options
If you’re lucky enough to be looking for short term, professional accommodation close to work, then you could consider renting a serviced apartment. These generally provide pretty luxury accommodation in the nicest areas of town, with everything provided for you. This includes furniture, bed linen, towels, cleaning etc. very much as you would expect when staying in a hotel. There are many companies offering such a service, including Quality London Apartments and Portland Brown.
The biggest thing to take into consideration when looking for apartment in London is to take your time. Don’t be pressurised to rushing into any decisions – no matter how many times the agent might tell you that there’s another 20 people waiting to view the property.
If possible, visit the apartment more than once before making a decision, and do your research on the area that it’s located. And always remember, furniture, décor and even the layout of a home can be changed – but where the apartment is can’t be. There’s a reason why property experts say location is everything.
Take your time, do your homework and there’s absolutely no reason why you won’t be able to find the perfect apartment for your needs.
