MOVING TO LONDON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY NEWCOMERS
Published by Van Squad London january 2015
Moving to London Frequently Asked Questions Overview London is divided in 32 boroughs and each borough has different areas. There are more than 500 areas in this vast city. Choosing the right area will make a huge difference on your lifestyle. And even though London has four cardinal points (East, West, North and South) and each of them has its own distinctive features, none of them can be adjusted to a specific stereotype. Some of the constraints which can be dictated by your choice of a place to live are of course - budget, work options, transportation, parking, schools if you have children and local amenities.
So... Where should you live in London? The main factors which should play a role when you're choosing your flat are work place, transportation or school/college location. Bear in mind that a five minute walk or a couple of tube stations more can make a difference of hundreds of pounds. East London is portrayed as a place for hipsters and people who have nothing else to do. It is considered by many as how the real London is and feels. If you truly want a good night out this is the place you would want to go to as many of the top pubs of the city are located here. In terms of living East London has cheaper accommodations and the majority of people living here are from the working class West London is on the complete opposite on East London not only geographically but in terms of demographics as well. It is the richest part of the city and its mostly suburban. It is also more calm and quiet. Living in West London is more expensive but the infrastructure and the life standards make up for the prices. North London is also considered as mostly wealthier than the rest of the city. The "It's grim up North London" phrase comes from the posh and sometimes overpriced venues in the area. Similarly to West London, this part of the city is more expensive and has many tourist attractions. South London is often described as a rougher place which is not suitable for living a calm life and drinking tea in your garden. Of course, just as rest of the city, South London can't be completely stereotyped as there are both nice and not so nice areas here. Generally, it is cheaper to live in which is a big advantage.
Where can I look for flats for rent or sale? After you chose the area according to your needs, it's time to look for flats. There are tonnes of sites out there to help you out. You can also take advantage of flatsharing. Flatsharing is literally sharing a flat with other people while splitting the bill and using common kitchen, bathroom and restroom. The main advantage is of course cheaper bills and living. However, it could turn in a disaster if you don't find the right people to live with.
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What are the top sites for renting a flat? The top preferred sites by both landlords and tenants in UK are: www.gumtree.com www.spareroom.co.uk www.zoopla.co.uk
What should you look for when you're looking for flats? First: Who is the landlord? Are they from London? Will you be able to meet them in person? Who are you going to look for if/when something breaks? A common problem in London is that many landlords are not even from the UK and use middle agents to do their work. This isn't an issue but sometimes if something goes wrong there's no one to help you and you end up paying a big bill. Second: Neighbours and location. Is the flat you've chosen near a bar? Nights out in London can get really loud and you don't want to wake up in the middle of the night because of a fight under your window. Similarly to loud bars, neighbours can also get on your nerves. Look at the condition of the common areas. They can give you an idea of what people share this building. Third: Vermin. London's biggest issue in the older buildings are pests and rodents. Look for mouse traps, poison and weird smell when inspecting a property. Fourth: Is security an issue? This relates with the location of the property you've chosen. Prior to choosing a flat, make sure the crime rate in the area is low, there's transport late at night and your neighbours are not potential criminals.
What should you expect when you're moving in? You've found a place with a great deal? Good. Here comes the real thing. There are many things you need to handle before you can enjoy your new view. First and foremost: How much will the entire moving will cost and how much time will it take? Figures for the both things vary. If you're going through an estate agency, you will probably be charged a fee (which varies in number). By paying this fee you will show interest for the property. Attention: This fee doesn't guarantee you the place. After you get the property you will have to pay the equivalent of between one and two months rent. This is also known as a safety deposit and you will get it back when you move out. You will also have to pay your first month's rent in advance. Get everything written down because some landlords try to trick you into paying more than you should. And as for how much time will it take - most agencies and landlords check your background before they give you the place, in the period when you show interest by paying the signing fee. This background check includes contacting any former landlords, where you work and can you afford it, etc and may take a minimum of two weeks. This is not common courtesy and isn't done by everyone in London. Some landlords will simply take your money. This also holds risks. Additionally, you will have to wait a couple of more days for the bank transfer to take place. Bear in mind that you will not be allowed to move in if you haven't paid entirely.
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What else do you need to do when you move in? Inventory everything. Take pictures and video of everything in the state you found it. If something is damaged before you moved in but it wasn't in the inventory, you will have to pay for it when you leave (or it will be held from your safety deposit) and things in London aren't cheap too.
What will you need after you've moved in? Most importantly: Council tax. This tax is formed by the valuation band of your property and how much your local council charges for that band. The council tax has to be paid by everyone over the age of 18, excluding full-time students. You can apply for discounts for living by yourself, having disabilities, etc. A little tip is to get the payment for your tax going from the beginning because all of it must be paid by the end of the tax year which will be on April 1st, 2016. If a payment is missed, it will be redistributed to the rest of the months to make up for the full sum. As said, If you live by yourself, you will be eligible to apply for a 25% discount. You can get additional info on your council tax fromthe official UK Government website here. Second: Utilities. There are different utility companies in London you can choose from. Do a bit of research of different utility plans and find the best deal for you. Like the council tax - get the payments going. Estate agents and landlords will contact the water company regarding your recent move so you can hide from them. Third: Post. For a fee, you can redirect your post if you're switching addresses on the territory of UK.
Setting up in London... Setting up in London is hard and living in the Big Smoke is expensive too. Its incredible cultural diversity on top of everything else, will certainly make your experience in London something to remember.
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EDITOR: RICK MCCALL WRITER CHIEF: MARTHA LOCK DESIGN: SETH SWANSON WRITER: AMBER ROW Published by:
VAN SQUAD
WWW.VAN-SQUAD.CO.UK 2015, london - frequently asked questions by newcomers