With a surface area of 1,572km² and thirty districts to choose from, London has thousands of homes available for rent and buying. Finding a home in England's capital can be challenging when you are new to the city, but having the correct information can help you make the right decision.
It is good to start with a clear idea of which area you would like to live in. Whether you are looking for green spaces, vibrant nightlife, or just good value for money, decide which London neighbourhoods have the most to offer. Consider what other commitments you will have, for example, commuting to work, your children's school, and extracurricular activities, to help further refine your target areas.
Shared housing is hugely popular in London, as it allows people to live closer to the centre and in a bigger setting for a lower price. Private accommodation tends to be costly. You will find more studios and small apartments towards the centre, where space is scarce, and more houses on the outskirts. The outskirts of London are much more affordable and spacious, but the commute could become lengthy and complicated.
Tip:
Consult the Transport for London website and Standard Tube Map to see your travel prospects and commute from specific areas.
London's main areas
The city is divided into five parts: Central London, North London, South London, East London, and West London. Each area has a distinct identity and culture.
Central London
Typically more commercial than residential, housing in Central London is less common and more expensive. Understandably, accommodation will come at a premium when you are within walking distance from Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and Sherlock Holmes' house on Baker Street. Great spots to live in are Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, Marylebone, and Mayfair.
Typical locals: Professionals in their 40s, wealthy couples, and families.
Good to know:
A one-bedroom apartment could easily cost you £8,000 monthly to rent in Mayfair.
North London
Connected to the city centre by London Underground's Northern Line, North London's quiet neighbourhoods are just 15 minutes away from the hustle and bustle. North London is a perfect area for commuters and those with families. Leafy, attractive areas include Highgate, Hampstead, Tufnell Park, and Finsbury Park.
Typical locals: Commuters, young professionals, couples, and families.
Good to know:
Finsbury Park has an easy commute to Euston and King's Cross, getting you to Central London in around ten minutes.
South London
Routinely voted London's best place to live, Clapham has a great vibe, many things to do, and is relatively affordable. The area is home to Clapham Common, a spacious urban park with excellent transport links (including Europe's busiest railway station, Clapham Junction), offering the best of both worlds. Other great places to look at are Brixton, Balham, and Tooting Bec.
Typical locals: Various ages, commuters, couples, and families.
Good to know:
Brixton is known to have one of the best Jamaican/Caribbean food in London.
East London
East London is arguably London's most vibrant, creative, and diverse area. It is filled with galleries, markets, trendy shops, and cafes, providing various activities. Shoreditch, Dalston, and Haggerston sometimes come under fire for having become too fashionable and expensive, but they continue to be popular places to live and socialise.
Typical locals: Young professionals in their 20s and 30s, students, and creative personalities.
Good to know:
Known as a multicultural community, Dalston has a large Turkish community often represented by traditional eateries in the neighbourhood.
West London
Although still very mixed, West London has acquired a reputation for being home to wealthy professionals and families, with areas such as Holland Park, Notting Hill, and Ladbroke Grove being exquisite and expensive examples of the ongoing gentrification of the capital. Despite being within walking distance from the above, Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith are much more affordable and well-connected to the city centre and surrounding areas.
Typical locals: Professionals in their mid-30s, couples, and families.
Good to know:
Towards the edge of London, places such as Wimbledon, Barnes, and Richmond offer greener and more spacious dwellings.
Types of accommodation in London
Different types of accommodation are available in London: studios, flats, houses, hostels, and hotels. The prices vary according to the number of rooms, the area, and the local transport services. The cheapest housing option is shared housing.
The average rent for a room can vary from £700 to £1,500. Average prices for a one-bedroom flat start from £1,600 and £2,500 if you are looking for two bedrooms. The further away you are from the city centre, the lower the rent prices are. The price of a studio in the centre is typically the same as a two-bedroom flat further out. If you travel outside of London, where transport into the centre can be as short as a 20-minute ride on a national rail train, you can rent a whole house for the same price.
Find accommodation in London
Flats and houses come and go quickly in London, with listings on websites such as Gumtree being filled and taken off the site within a day or even within the hour. Keeping an eye on the market and being quick is important. Here are some tips to follow:
- Have available all the essential documents;
- Set up email notifications for properties that meet your expectations;
- Search daily on both the Internet and in agency shops;
- Ring property contact numbers instead of dropping emails;
- Secure the first viewing of the day;
- Be quick to confirm your interest in the property.
The real estate market in London
Most people rent in London because it is one of the most expensive European cities to buy property. London's real estate market continues to grow rapidly, with prices escalating to eye-watering levels.
If you have your heart set on buying a property in London, searching in Greater London can often be much more affordable and secure more space, such as homes with gardens.
On average, Central London property prices are at £1,8M and £600,000 in Greater London.
Good to know:
Mortgages are also available for foreign nationals.
Buying a property in London can be a profitable investment in the long term, helping you to save on rent significantly. Many homeowners rent out their properties to help achieve a return on investment. It is essential to work with a legitimate landlord or secure an estate agency. You can find estate agencies online or by visiting your local high streets.
Buy a property in London
The steps involved in buying real estate can last at least eight weeks. Your legal representative will arrange for the exchange of contracts on your behalf, verify the validity of the sales document, research the environment surrounding the property with local authorities, and review the contract before you sign. Moreover, you must pay the seller a 10% deposit of the sale price when you formally agree to purchase the property.
Warning:
You will not be refunded once you have signed, paid the deposit and decided not to proceed. The seller might even charge you for damages and breach of contract.
Student accommodation in London
The options for student accommodation in London are abundant. Whether you want the privacy of a studio or the community ambiance of a flatshare, there will be something for you located close to your university or in your preferred London area. There are many websites where you can compare rooms, studios, and flats in hundreds of halls of residences across London. Prices vary depending on the location, amenities, and facilities provided in the residence, but you should expect anything around £1000 per month for a room and a shared kitchen. The cost of most student properties in London includes bills and furniture.
Tip:
Decide on the area and your housing budget first to narrow down your options.
Good to know:
Most student accommodation contracts are for one academic year. To keep the housing over the summer, you should arrange in advance.
Important:
Most UK landlords will ask for a guarantor, a person (usually a family member) who also signs your contract, guaranteeing that they will pay your rent if you can't.
Househunting tips to consider in London
Househunting in London can be even more overwhelming than in other parts of the world due to the big size of the city, the high cost of rentals, and the abundance of old properties. The Edwardian architecture is admirable and excellent for sightseeing, but when it comes to living in a 100-year-old property, it's a different story and may require a lot of compromises.
To make your home search more efficient and less stressful, consider hiring a reliable and certified real estate agent because they may hear about a home before it's advertised to the public. Also, they will do all the communication and set up the viewings with the property owners, which can be very time-consuming. You can ask for recommendations from other expats on the Expat.com London forum. Remember, you don't have to book the first real estate agent you come across, and it's up to you to interview several candidates before you assign the job to one.
The best advice is to be flexible, meaning you have to forget all your tick boxes in your wish list and maybe consider alternative neighbourhoods and types of housing (e.g., townhouses, semi-detached houses, apartments, etc.). Finding a home in London may be difficult, but once you have determined your budget, your and your family's needs, and the home characteristics you are not willing to trade off, you will be on the right path toward finding your home in London.
Rights and responsibilities for tenants in London
If you rent a house in London from a private property owner, knowing your rights and responsibilities is good. For example, the property owner should put your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDP) instead of a private account. In addition, you have the right to challenge high or unfair charges. Also, you have the right to know who your landlord or landlady is and ask for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to see information about the property's energy use and average costs, as well as recommendations about how to reduce them.
As a tenant, you must take good care of the property, pay the agreed rent on time, including your Council Tax and utility bills, and pay for any damage that you have caused to the property. Subletting a property isn't allowed unless the property owner agrees or it is clearly stated in the tenancy agreement.
Good to know:
- The property owner can access the property to inspect or make repairs. However, they have to give you at least 24 hours' notice and agree with you on a suitable day and time of visit.
- Full-time students are exempted from paying council tax.
Useful links:
Short-term accommodation:
Long-term accommodation:
Rightmove - Rental property search engine
Prime location - Rental property search engine
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