• Know exactly what you want before you set foot inside the
  door of any letting agency. State your requirements firmly, and let
  them know you are not interested in looking at any properties that do
  not meet ALL of your requirements. (And boy, they will try to waste your
  time by off-loading that hellhole that nobody wants!)
• Things that you may probably wish to ask for are that the flat must be:
  • Within ten minutes walking distance from a train or tube station. (Being
    reliant on buses can prove to be a nightmare - you do not want to be standing out
    in the cold of an English winter for forty minutes waiting for a bus. Agents will also
    use poetic license in their use of 'ten minutes' as well - if it takes longer than five
    minutes driving time to get there… forget it. If you're unsure, make a trial run of walking
    to the nearest station before signing that lease!)
  • Within ten minutes walking distance of a supermarket. (Carrying heavy shopping
    bags for longer than this is not funny!)
• A power shower, or wall mounted showerhead. (Personal preference here… a lot of flats
  in London operate the old hand held shower head - not fun when you're also trying to juggle
  soap and a razor!)
• The suburb or area you choose. Click here for some general information on key London areas.  
  Always check the council tax rate for your area as well - to avoid nasty surprises of a surplus
  bill on top of your rent!  Rates vary considerably from area to area - and can add as much as
  £20 - £25 per week to your bills.
• That you require a furnished or unfurnished flat.  Most in London tend to be furnished -
  however, to save wasted time, it is best to confirm this before viewing.
• Stress the size of the bedrooms and let them know you want decent double sized rooms -
  for all rooms (these are a lot easier to find room mates for).  'A spacious double room' in agent
  speak, may allow standing room only after the double bed has moved in!

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