For some people, it’s the equivalent of living the dream. With that being said, moving to London does bring its complexities and it is a much different beast to the rest of the UK.
We’ve all heard the stories about the cost of accommodation in the capital although today’s article is going to go one step further. In other words, if you have already found your next potential London flat, what exactly should you be considering?
Well, before you store your belongings with a service like Safestore, take a read of the following which should help you make more of an informed decision.
What is the area like?
In truth, it doesn’t matter whether you are moving to London or somewhere else, it’s all about location, location, location.
London might be the dream city for some of you – but that doesn’t mean to say that every neighborhood within it is perfect. Far from it, if you’re not careful, you can finish in an area which really isn’t suited to you.
As such, conduct the standard area research before making your move. Assess the surroundings, see what condition everyone else’s flat is in and really take your time. If in doubt, ask an estate agent.
What is included?
This next question doesn’t come down to the furnished or unfurnished question; nowadays, it spans much further than this.
For example, does the flat arrive with window dressings? What about appliances like a fridge or a freezer? Suffice to say, this can be a major consideration and while you may have thought you have netted a really good deal for the apartment in question, if you have to kit it out with all of the above this will all be for nothing.
Who is responsible for everything?
As well as finding out what is included in your next London flat, you also need to find out who is responsible for which area. When we talk about areas, we’re referring to the likes of common areas; whether it’s a garden, courtyard or sometimes even a kitchen.
If these responsibilities aren’t stated from the outset, we’re going to bet that there are going to be problems later down the line. The last thing you want is to be surrounded by dreadful common areas – which don’t improve as nobody is going to assume responsibility.
What happens in an emergency?
Finally, this is one of those questions that really can be posed to any potential tenant. If something goes wrong, whether it is a break-in, the boiler breaking or another big emergency, you need a point of contact.
Chances are, if you have gone through a letting agency, you’ll have a 24-hour number to call.
However, if the property is being let privately, it’s here where you might have problems. As such, before you put pen to paper on any sort of contract, make sure that this is clarified by the landlord or agent responsible for the flat.