House-hunting notes

House-hunting notes

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Apartment hunting is usually a painstaking process. It is often not very transparent, has a lot of variables, and has luck as a huge factor in getting something you like in the allocated budget. Before I moved to London, I tried to make the process of house hunting simple for myself and my flatmate. I created this checklist with some general notes about the whole process here. It did serve me well, and I think is fairly comprehensive and fungible for house hunting in any part of the world.

General

  • Apartments in the UK are either looked after by brokers or by owners themselves
  • https://www.rightmove.co.uk and https://www.zoopla.co.uk are the popular websites which are used. There are several brokers who have their own websites, which you can check too
  • Apart from rent, you will also be paying:
    • A council tax (usually around £100-200 / month depending on location of the apartment - the broker can give that info
    • Utilities (gas and electricity) usually around £100 a month, but can vary depending usage and kind of appliances in the apartment
      • Sometimes, the landlord pays for it - it is usually mentioned in the listing
  • The process of finding a place to rent is:
    • Find the places you like on the websites
    • Ask for more information or a viewing
    • Give an “offer” which means that you are interested in the flat
    • The landlord accepts the offer
    • Do a second check of the apartment (if required)
    • Pay a small holding deposit (usually a weeks rent)
    • Do the formal agreement
    • Pay 1 month of advance rent and 6 weeks rent as deposit
  • The apartments move really quickly in London, so if you like something close quickly else it will be gone
  • The whole process could be done as quickly as 2 weeks: beginning from you going for a viewing till you sign an agreement
  • You can make offers on several apartments in parallel, and then go ahead with the one you like best
  • An offer includes:
    • The rent you are willing to pay (there is always room for negotiation)
    • Things that you would want in the apartment, or things you want removed (bed, tables, dining table, couch, cupboard, TV etc.)
    • Length of tenancy and break clauses
    • You can also offer to pay advance rent (apart from the stipulated 1 month) to improve your chances of getting something you like. I have known people offer to pay 3-12 months of advance rent to close a deal
  • Before paying the holding deposit, ensure a thorough visit of the apartment (can view the same apartment twice or even more if required)
  • For the agreement make sure there are no fishy clauses like penalty payments for vacating or something that should not be there
  • Get a 4+2 break clause in the agreement where you can leave the apartment after 6 months ( 2 month notice period, at the end of 4 months) without any penalty
  • Typical agreements are for 12 months, but can negotiate rent based on length of agreement as well
  • Well lit and ventilated apartments are a must in London. It gets really dark and depressing, so an apartment which gets a lot of sunlight is something you really should prioritise

Apartment checklist

  • Apartment location
    • Should not be more than a 5 minute walk away from a tube station (Zone 1 and night service specially)
      • Check what lines are closest, and how long does it take to commute to work, or other places you will frequent
    • Should have a grocery store close by, you don't want to walk too far away to get your everyday stuff
    • Should be in a safe neighbourhood - duh!
    • Should not have major noise sources very close like a ground floor apartment on a busy street, or something next to a railway station
    • Should not be on ground floor for security, low sunlight and noise reasons
    • Should have some places to eat, go-out in proximity
    • Close to a gym or any other activity that you might do regularly
  • Apartment insides
    • Check for sunlight, ventilation
    • Elevator in the building
    • Double glazed windows (to protect against cold in winter, else heater would need to run a lot)
    • Check for noise
    • Check if phone network is everywhere in the house
    • Storage area
    • Appliances
      • Oven
      • Microwave
      • Washing machine
      • Dryer
      • Kind of stove (induction/ gas/ hotplate)
      • Dishwasher
      • Does the kitchen come with utensils and other equipment
    • Rooms
      • Spacious
      • Cupboards and storage space
      • Space to set up WFH
    • Bathroom / toilets / Kitchen
      • Water pressure
      • Quality of fittings
      • Hot and cold water
      • Leakages
      • Drainage
    • General hygiene
      • Moths and insects
      • Mold
    • Linens / Pillows / Blankets
    • Power sockets all working condition
    • Pet friendly, if applicable
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