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You can rent directly with a landlord or through an agency. In some cases, for short-term rentals you may take over someone else's room whilst they are away (therefore dealing directly with the tenants - you should of course make sure this has been agreed with the landlord). The best paper to look at is Loot. Published daily - except Mondays - you will find the largest number of adverts from private landlords. Weekend National papers, such as The Guardian also contain good ads.
If you see anything of interest in Loot, it is best to call straight away, as the best places get snapped up. When you call, make sure you ask for clear details about the place to save a wasted trip - are bills included, number of flatmates, transport details, if it is non-smoking, how many bathrooms, etc. Don't limit the questions simply to your own room, and remember to take an A to Z with you so you don't get lost and can understand the area. You can buy them in post offices, most news agents, groceries, bookshops and petrol stations.
The best thing about dealing directly with a landlord is that they tend to be more flexible and more easily contactable in emergencies. Agencies tend to charge admin fees - for credit checks and inventories - and have strict contracts, but can be more reliable at getting things done. Of course, as with anything in life, there are good and bad landlords as well as good and bad agencies.
Where to Live?
Our advice is that if you already have great friends in London and/or a job, then move close to them. London is a huge city and commuting is often far from fun unless you have a very good sense of humour. There is little point living in a lovely flat in the West when your job is in Canary Wharf, as big chunks of your time will be spent commuting via a system that is not always reliable.
London has a strong and varied mix of cultures which have become well established in different areas across the city allowing people to create their own 'homes from home'. As well as job location, quality of transport and money limitations will also play a big part in where you finally decide to settle.
Cheaper areas to live are: always in zones 2-6, especially as you go further East, North and South. All areas in London see crime and so it is always good to check out the statistics on an area before you move. As with any city, it is not a great idea to walk the streets (away from central London) late at night and alone. However, you can still find ‘decent’ cheap areas if you are prepared to commute, just remember to weigh up the cost of transport against any financial saving you will make on rent as you may find the total costs work out the same.
Antipodean areas: Australians, Kiwis and South Africans frequently choose to live together and like to enjoy the UK experience with their closest friends. These guys usually settle around Shepherds Bush, Acton, Ealing Broadway, Wimbledon and Putney, although those who like to live independent of their ex-pat communities can also be found in areas such as Islington, Bethnal Green or Clapham Junction.
Mediterranean: You will find plenty of Spanish, Italians and Greeks in Bayswater, and those that can afford the rent around the South Kensington area. Bayswater also attracts Turkish, Russian and Muslim populations, who bring with them delicious restaurants and cafes.
Muslim: The areas around Marble Arch and Edgware Road play host to a strong Muslim community with further families settling in Finsbury Park. As a result there are two big mosques - one in Regent’s Park and a famous one 4 minutes from Finsbury Park tube station.
Family Orientated: Most English families move to the outskirts or even out of London in search of affordable big open spaces so their kids can play and have healthy lives. For those that do settle in central London with a family, decisions are likely to be based on the quality of schools and proximity to parks.
Obviously it all comes down to price, but if safety is what you are looking for, nothing can beat areas like: West - Bayswater and Holland Park; North - Baker Street and Hampstead; and South/SW - Turnham Green/Chiswick, Twickenham, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Pimlico, Balham, Clapham, Battersea or Fulham.
Jewish: Two popular areas of Jewish based communities are around Golders Green and Stamford Brook.
You can read more about the Jewish population in London here, with a list of statistics.
Polish: The Polish population is mainly concentrated around Hammersmith and Acton.
Classes: Traditionally the East End contained the poorest districts in the capital. A long time ago it was where most immigrants settled, and where you can see evidence of the Industrial Revolution in the type of houses, use of brick as a building material and small streets, and where prostitution and danger resided during Jack the Ripper times. Nowadays some areas in the East are becoming increasingly popular and desirable, so land prices have risen rapidly. A lot of money is being spent in the regeneration of the area due to the upcoming 2012 Olympics, meaning the East End is becoming increasingly well serviced. For areas traditionally thought of as Cockney visit Mile End, Bethnal Green, Old Street, Liverpool Street and Hackney.
Creative, trendy: Well - if you want to be part of the crowd that works in advertising, design, fashion or the art and music industries, head to: Bethnal Green, Old Street, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Hackney in the East; Brixton and Camberwell in the South and Notting Hill or Ladbroke Grove in the West.
Up market: If you have cash to splash then nothing will beat Chelsea (Sloan Square, Knightsbridge, Kings Road, parts of Pimlico, St James' Park and South Kensington), parts of Fulham, Maida Vale, St John’s Wood, parts of West Hampstead, Marylebone, Mayfair and in the South: Kew Gardens, Richmond and Wimbledon.
Afro-Caribbean: If you want great restaurants and a good vibe head for the Kingston area. Although in the 70s the Afro Caribbean community also congregated around Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove- hence the Notting Hill Carnival. The warmth of this community has reached many areas in the capital and so it is hard to define explicitly.
Modern: If you are used to modern flats with efficient plumbing, then head East towards Canary Wharf. Modern developments have risen over the last few decades and you can now find modern complexes with onsite gyms, indoor pools and security. Usually these areas are cheaper as there are fewer shops and amenities, but they are very convenient for people who work in the city. Check out areas around the DLR - West India Quays, Heron Quays, Limehouse and Canada Water - where you will find fantastic places from the 21st century.
Away from the East there are other areas that have undergone heavy redevelopment and have great modern flats, such as Paddington Wharf, St Katherine's or Chelsea's Wharf and even Richmond and Putney.
Quiet/Residential areas: Ealing Broadway, Acton, Holland Park, Hampstead, Richmond. These leafy areas tend to have lower crime rates, hence attracting an abundance of young families.
Well connected areas: Anywhere near various tube lines and a train station is perfect in zone 1. Bayswater, Paddington, Marble Arch, Edgware Road, Baker Street, Victoria, Finsbury Park, Angel. The list is endless, although it's relevance dependent on where you need to get to and from.
Danger: You are never too far from danger in any big city so it is always good to keep safe. Knife and gun crime is prevalent, but no more so than any other international capital city. The chances of you getting mugged are low, but it never hurts to make sure you are travelling with another person late at night and in safe areas.
Want to be in the middle of it all: there is nothing like SOHO!
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