Guide to London Flats

For long-term or even short-term accommodation in London, the most popular options include flats, flat-shares, bed-sits and hostels. A flat, also called an 'apartment' is generally a self-contained unit with one to three (sometimes more) bedrooms which are to be let, or rented.

Flat-shares are where a flat is already occupied and one or more bedrooms become available for rent. Here, the tenants share all the facilities like television, washing machine, and also the kitchen, bathroom and the living room, bathroom. In normal practice, the tenants share responsibility for payment of bills and council tax for the property.

Quite popular in London, a bed-sit is for all practical purposes one main self-contained small unit with a living area serving as a bedroom. A mini-kitchen may also be a part of the same room. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are normally shared with co-tenants of the other bed-sits in the same house. The house-owner generally pays the council tax in this arrangement.
Depending on the purpose for which they are to be used, flats or apartments may be classified in two categories: leisure and business. The first type is generally used by people on holiday on a short-term basis while the second is mainly used by business travelers. These flats usually have computers and telephones.

Some other types of flats or apartments are studio, penthouse, and loft. More expensive and spacious than a bed-sit, a studio flat provides a living room, a bathroom and a small kitchen. A studio flat should not have any shared facilities and each of them must have its own lockable entrance door. A luxury accommodation, a penthouse is usually located on the top floors of a building. Artists are particularly fond a loft - a flat at the top of a building just below its roof.

In most cases, short-term rentals are serviced in which tenants are provided maid services (cleaning), bed linen and towels. A serviced flat or apartment generally functions on the same lines as a hotel. Here, you will get a 24-hour reception but no hotel "porters". They generally require their tenants to stay for a minimum one to three nights and occasionally a week. An un-serviced flat or apartment does not provide these facilities but on some occasions do arrange maid services once a week.

Although hostels normally offer attractive deals for a month or two, a flat-share is more cost-effective for someone wanting to stay even longer.

Furnishings

Most London flats and homes rented are normally furnished. A London flat usually comes with a refrigerator, closets, beds (at least mattresses), a couch and dining table with chairs. Comforting thoughts no doubt for travelers on the move! If you find any defective item, ask the landlord or landlady to get it replaced. It is his/her duty to ensure that everything is in order.

Why a London flat, and not a hotel?

Flats or apartments have several advantages over equivalent hotel rooms. They come in all sizes and are modestly equipped with the basic amenities your family will need. Moreover, they will offer you privacy and independence whenever you will feel the need for one. You won't have to burn a hole in your pocket visiting expensive restaurants with your family. You have your own kitchen and you can cook your own food. As most of them are charged on a 'per apartment' basis, they come in extremely handy for 'groups.'

Many flats or apartments provide all the amenities of a fine hotel. What you get in addition is all the comforts of home.

Less costly accommodation

Rents depend largely on the standard and locality of flats. They are normally higher in London but lower in the north of England. Less costly accommodation can also be found at university dormitories and halls of residence.

In normal practice London flat rentals are inclusive of all charges that include maid service, towels, linens, electricity, taxes and service charges. Additional costs mostly include a security/damage/telephone deposit as well as costs for laundry, dry-cleaning, and telephone calls.

Bond

You will need to pay a bond, usually equivalent to a month's rent, in almost all rental arrangements. You are entitled to get it back after you vacate the flat and inspection of the flat is over. You must be careful about any repairs you ask for, or any work that is being done on the flat in general. Or else, you might find that substantial and unexpected amounts have been deducted from your bond.

Council Tax

Council tax is a compulsory (usually quarterly) tax levied by the local government or borough council that flat owners pass on to tenants. So before signing a lease and renting a flat, you should be aware of the Council Tax due for that flat. Although it is not usually a large amount, it is not too small either.

Estate agencies

You can find flat-shares through friends or specific traveler accommodation companies or through travelers' magazines and Web sites. But most of the advertisements for flat rentals in the newspapers are through estate or letting agents. You will find such an agent all over London and you can get advice, ideas and information on what is available without spending a single penny.

Purchase of flats

If you are interested in purchasing or selling a flat, you can get relevant information from estate agents and from classified advertisements in local newspapers. Most of the buyers seek the services of a solicitor to assist in the legal aspects of purchasing property. A list of estate agents in the area of a prospective buyer's interest may be procured from the National Association of Real Estate Agents.

Buyers usually obtain a mortgage loan from a bank or building society, the amount of the loan being calculated according to the purchaser's annual income. For the purposes of property valuation, the lender needs a building surveyor's report on the condition of the property. You can have advice on the purchase of houses through building societies from the Building Societies Association, free of charge.

According to reports, the average asking price for a home in England and Wales has gone up increased by £2,048 in the first week of 2006. The 0.9% rise at the start of 2006 was the biggest weekly rise since May 2004.