If you are going to be living in London, then you’ll need a place to stay, and there are a number of factors that you need to bear in mind when looking for your perfect London rental apartment. London is a huge city, and is divided into a different areas and suburbs, each having their own personality and amenities.  If you are thinking about moving to London, then the best way to find a home is to make a list of the aspects that are important for you and then start looking. While everyone wants to live in quaint Notting Hill, made famous by Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, it may be very unsuitable for your lifestyle and your employment needs.

Moving to London – It’s all about YOU

• Find out the exact address of your employers. This will have a big influence on where you are going to live because commuting can be a nightmare at the best of times. You don’t want to have to catch three tubes and two trains to get to work every day. You’ll need to find out which public transport services serve the area in which you work so you do not have to spend hours commuting.
• Family: If you have children then schools and education will be important. Remember that you cannot send your children to schools that are not in the catchment area of where you live. This can have a massive impact on deciding the type of suburb that you want to live in.
• Amenities: If you have pets with you then you’ll need to find a suburb that has parks and areas that you can exercise your pets in. Some apartment rentals do not allow pets, so you’ll have to add that to your list of questions to ask a potential landlord.
• You should also see if your area has a hospital and other emergency services in close proximity.

Moving to London and when you rent an apartment it will generally fall into two categories. You can rent privately, which means you will be renting directly from the owner or landlord. You need to be sure that you have everything in writing and if possible get the rental agreement check out by an attorney or someone who has some experience in the rental market.

You can also use a letting agency that will help you find a rental apartment that is in your price range, and they arrange for the contract and documents required for you to be able to rent. You will have to pay a fee for the services of a letting agent. If you are new to London then you might want to contact one of the reputable relocation agents who will help you arrange accommodation quickly and without the hassle associated with being a foreigner.

Finding a home in London is the most important part of moving here and the sooner you get it sorted out, the more settled you will feel. As soon as you are moved in, you’ll have the opportunity of getting out and exploring your new city.