The Rental Market in the United Kingdom: All You Need to Know

If you are getting ready to move abroad to live and possibly work in the United Kingdom you will need to find suitable living accommodations which are likely to mean a rental apartment, at least initially. If you are just preparing to begin your search for a flat in London or elsewhere in the UK you should note that the rental market in the United Kingdom is a lot smaller than what you may have experienced in Western Europe.

The larger the rental property you are looking for the harder it will be to find it in the United Kingdom. Prices vary depending on the region of the United Kingdom with London rental prices being the most expensive with the least amount of space. Scotland and Wales offer some of the lower rental prices in the United Kingdom.

You will have to travel to the United Kingdom to find an apartment in person as the majority of landlords will not sign contracts until meeting the tenants in person. There is also a wide spectrum in regards to quality of rentals so you will want to make sure you view the flat in person. The worst time of year to look for an apartment is the end of the summer because that is when students are looking for flats.

The classified ads in newspapers and online is the easiest way to locate available rentals. The Evening Standard in London has property listings daily. The Wednesday edition comes with a supplement of extensive property listings. You may also want to get an estate agent to help you look. They will not charge you a fee but the rent prices may be higher for their properties. If you do not mind roommates you may want to share a flat. It is sometimes easier to find a shared flat available than it is to find an inexpensive flat.

When viewing a flat it is important to dress well to make a good impression on the landlord. Competition for available flats is fierce, especially in London, so schedule appointments to view places early.

When you find a flat that you want to rent you will need to sign a rental agreement. Typically rental contracts have a period of 12 months. Landlords cannot increase your rent if you have a signed rental agreement. Look over your rental agreement to see if utilities are included or if you have to pay them your self. There will be a section of the agreement titled 'forfeiture' that will detail all of the things that can get you evicted from the flat.

You will have to pay a deposit on the flat. Usually this is the equivalent of one month's rent. It can be used to cover damages when you move out. To decrease the amount taken for this, have the landlord do a walk though with you on your first day to take inventory of the place.

If you need help or legal advice in regards to your rental contract you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.