BEFORE THE SEARCH Do your research before you jump into the search process. Arming yourself with essential knowledge on what you’re looking for, what your budget is and where you want to live will not only ensure you find the ideal place for you, but will help to avoid being scammed or pressured into a decision.
SECTION CONTENTS Who to live with
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Types of accommodation
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When to start looking
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Housing for disabilities
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Where to look
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Costs and budgets
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Avoid being scammed
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Where to live
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WHO TO LIVE WITH Don’t rush into living with people you don’t know very well; even if you have been on the same course or lived in the same halls, living together in private accommodation can be very different.
Will your housemates do their fair
Contracts are binding and it can be hard to leave them.
Do you live to a similar schedule?
Choose the right people to live with and you’ll have a great time. Making the right decisions at the outset could lead to one of the best experiences of your life.
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share of the household chores?
Will they pay their rent on time? Will they act in a responsible way?
Do you all go to bed early or prefer to stay up late?
Do you all have the same budget?
WHEN TO START LOOKING
SEARCH TIMELINE
The majority of private accommodation in London is only advertised one to two months before it is available.
Start speaking to your friends about whether you want to live together. Think about where you want to live and what budget you have.
Estate agents won’t know what properties are available for September/ October until June, July or August. If you start looking earlier than this, you may be expected to pay rent on a property you aren’t ready to move in to. The landlords registered on Imperial Home Solutions are familiar with the student property market and some advertise their properties earlier in the year and allow you to view the property without having to move in or pay rent until September/October.
JANUARY, FEBRUARY
MARCH, APRIL, MAY Attend our annual Housing Events. Meet local estate agents, speak with accommodation experts and learn about house hunting dos and don’ts, contracts, deposits and much more. Landlords begin to advertise properties on Imperial Home Solutions and take advanced bookings.
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
If you need to secure your accommodation before the summer, we recommend searching on the Imperial Home Solutions website.
This is a good time to look at estate agents; they will have a better idea of what will be available in September and October.
“ IF IT’S STILL MORE THAN A MONTH FROM WHEN YOU HOPE TO MOVE IN, DON’T HAVE YOUR HEART SET ON THOSE SAVED PLACES JUST YET. THE MARKET HERE MOVES SO FAST THAT MOST OF THE GOOD FLATS/ROOMS (I.E. NICE, REASONABLY PRICED) ARE GONE IN A FEW DAYS.”
SEPTEMBER Left it to the last minute? Don’t worry as there are still plenty of properties available.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER MOVE IN!
NOVEMBER, DECEMBER Relax and enjoy your new home.
Isaac Tan, Imperial PG student Read more about Isaac’s house search: bit.ly/Isaac-accommodation-blog
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