Short Term Rentals

radikalzee

Hi all
I am looking for a 3-month rental anywhere in Greater London. Approaching estate agents doesnt seem effecive as they always turn me away as soon as I say its for 3 months.

When I look for prices with short let apartment providers, the prices are pretty steep. How should I go about this? Any tips? Is going to an estate agent without disclosing the fact that I am only going to stay for 3 months a good idea? (assuming they have a minimum 3-month break clause)

Annisele

Are you looking to rent a whole property, or would a flatshare/lodger agreement do? It's usually *much* easier to get a short term flatshare than a whole property.

I think you'll struggle to find anywhere with a three month break clause - I've never seen one at less than six months.

radikalzee

I would prefer a whole property (i.e a studio). The last ditch option is to go for a flatshare though, which seems the likely scenario now since the other option seems almost impossible. Thanks for the reply.

Annisele wrote: »

Are you looking to rent a whole property, or would a flatshare/lodger agreement do? It's usually *much* easier to get a short term flatshare than a whole property.

marmitequeen

Whereabouts in G London? When do you need this to start? How much space do you need? Annisele's spot on about flat-share or rooms in shared houses. Alternative is to find a family house to lodge in?

I seem to remember there being something in the news a few years ago about pensioners staying for 3 months at a time at travellodge and the like as they got a really good deal if booking for a long block of time in advance. Not convinced I'd manage 3 months without being able to cook for myself, but it's another option - I guess it depends where and when.
Good luck
x

Annisele

The problem with three month agreements is that they don't give much benefit to the LL; for the LL it's pretty much all risk and no reward.

The costs of finding a tenant for a 3 month contract are pretty much the same as the cost of finding one for a 6/12 month contract - but ofc have to be recouped over only three months.

You as T don't have to let anybody into the property for viewings - so LL knows that if you decide you don't want to play ball he's almost guaranteed a void period in three months time.

It is very difficult for a LL to evict a T during the first six months of the tenancy - even if you originally agreed that you'd only be there for three months.

My OH did once manage to negotiate a three and a half month tenancy when he worked away for a short time - it seemed that the crucial part of the negotiations was when he promised to pay the LL's tenant finding fee (about a month's rent), and promised that the LL could show prospective new tenants around whenever he wasn't home (which would be working hours Mon-Fri, and all weekend except Sunday evening).

radikalzee

I dont have any preference on where in G London, as I will be working from home. I would need to start in the last week of September. Not picky about the space requirements, a normal sized studio would do.

You are so right about the cooking thing, which is why I dont want to go for the hotel/lodge option.

marmitequeen wrote: »

Whereabouts in G London? When do you need this to start? How much space do you need? Annisele's spot on about flat-share or rooms in shared houses. Alternative is to find a family house to lodge in?

I seem to remember there being something in the news a few years ago about pensioners staying for 3 months at a time at travellodge and the like as they got a really good deal if booking for a long block of time in advance. Not convinced I'd manage 3 months without being able to cook for myself, but it's another option - I guess it depends where and when.
Good luck
x

Annisele

If you're going to be working from home...does it need to be in London at all?

London is commutable from all sorts of places, and most of them are much cheaper than London if you only need to travel into the centre occasionally.

marmitequeen

radikalzee wrote: »

I dont have any preference on where in G London, as I will be working from home..

Forgive me if I'm being a bit obtuse - if you'll be working from home why do you need Greater London? Why not have a 3 months in a cheaper part of the country? It could be a lovely holiday-type-adventure!!! (Says she who is desperate to move further from London so she is somewhat biased about this...)

radikalzee

Fair enough, I just needed to be within the happenings in the city since I am a frequent concert goer and west end theatre fan. Anyway, do you think it will be easier (if its possible at all) to find a 3-month rental if I am looking outside London ?

marmitequeen wrote: »

Forgive me if I'm being a bit obtuse - if you'll be working from home why do you need Greater London? Why not have a 3 months in a cheaper part of the country? It could be a lovely holiday-type-adventure!!! (Says she who is desperate to move further from London so she is somewhat biased about this...)

Pepzofio

radikalzee wrote: »

Fair enough, I just needed to be within the happenings in the city since I am a frequent concert goer and west end theatre fan. Anyway, do you think it will be easier (if its possible at all) to find a 3-month rental if I am looking outside London ?

My friend once lived in a holiday apartment in Brighton Marina for a few months - I'm pretty sure he got a discount because it was out of season and a long let (for a holiday home that is!) Not sure how it compares pricewise to short term residential lets (as opposed to holidays, iyswim) but worth looking into as Brighton's only an hour from London by train and has ample entertainment choices itself!

Also, Rightmove's got some 'luxury serviced apartments' being advertised for short term lets in Crawley atm - prices did seem quite steep compared to other Crawley lets, but they're probably still cheaper than London prices...

theartfullodger

Aye, problem is Landlord not being able to evict you before 6+ months if you keep paying the rent.. tricky

Cheers!

Artful