From townhouses to Victorian buildings, riverside apartments to private mews, there’s a breadth of rental properties across the city's competitive housing market.
Before moving to London, take the time to understand your budget and property preferences, and find out how to relocate to London, including making sense of the property market, schools and transport, with this practical guide.
Considerations when relocating to London
Before moving to London, define your preferences. Consider if you’d rather live in a house or flat, a new build property or a home with more character – with or without furniture? What features are important to you; garden space, parking, stair-free access?
There are more than 3,000 green spaces in London and six major airports – is it important for you to be close to any of these? Knowing what you can and can’t compromise on ahead of relocating to London will ensure you have a successful move.
Keep in mind additional costs that aren’t typically included in rentals, such as utility bills, council tax and wifi. Some of these may be higher than usual owing to hybrid (home) working, which is commonplace in London.
This also means less commuting and greater emphasis on where you live – proximity to local amenities, shops and entertainment is a growing priority.
If you have never visited before moving to London, take the time to explore different neighbourhoods north and south of the river. Each has its own community and vibe. See where you feel most at home.
Resources for researching the market
Property search engines like Rightmove and Zoopla give a good indication of the rental market in terms of pace and budgets.
Properties get snapped up quickly, so it’s important to move quickly when you find somewhere you like. Tapping into the network of a relocation agent can bypass some of the challenges of relocating to London, as they often have oversight of new properties before they come on the market.
If you’re bringing a pet to relocate to London with you, expect less choice. A number of leases and landlords have a no pet policy, which may restrict your search.
Making an offer and moving to London
Once you find a property and your offer is accepted, find out who will manage it. This will either be a landlord or a property management team. It’s important to have a good relationship with them, as it can make all the difference to your experience.
Important questions to ask
- Estimated cost of bills.
- EPC rating (energy performance certificate) – this impacts the cost of heating the property.
- Which London borough and council tax band the property falls into.
- Length of the tenancy agreement and whether it includes a break clause – typical tenancies last a year with a two-month break clause exercised by either party after six months.
Next steps required to secure the property
You will usually be asked to pay a holding deposit to take the property off the market, typically, the equivalent of a week’s rent. There will be reference checks, followed by a contract to sign. Expect to pay a further one month’s rent in advance, and a five-week security deposit (your one week holding deposit is deducted from this).
Right to Rent checks must take place before relocating to London and moving into your property. These will require a physical copy of your passport and visa, if applicable. You will not be given the keys until these checks are completed but may still pay rent if your tenancy has started.
Inventory check and moving in
On the exciting day you move in, expect a full inventory check along with meter readings and an overview of the condition of the property, conducted by an independent inventory clerk. This is worth attending, should you need to challenge any discrepancies in the report, which you have seven days to query. The report forms the basis for receiving your full security deposit back at the end of your tenancy.
Schools: state and private
If you’re relocating to London with children, you should understand the different types of schools available, as proximity to your preferred school could influence your property search.
There are two options for your child’s education: state and private (independent) schools.
The state system operates a catchment area policy, allowing you to apply to local schools within a certain distance of your address. You can request schools by preference, but will not be guaranteed your first choice, which is allocated by the local education authority.
State school education is free, however uniforms, school trips, and meals (as of Year 3), must be paid for by parents and caregivers. Many schools operate Breakfast Clubs and After School Clubs to help working parents, which come at an additional cost if used.
Useful insights on state schools
- A typical school day starts at 8.45-9am and finishes around 3-3.30pm.
- School classes are 30 pupils in size, with a teacher and teaching assistant.
- Ofsted provides full school reports, also hosted on each school’s website.
With private schools, you’re not limited to a catchment area, and can apply to any establishment you choose. Many have feeder nurseries, which children are selected from, so it’s important to know where to place your child for preschool before moving to London.
Useful insights on private (independent) schools
- Private school days are longer to condense more learning, usually 8.30am to 4-4.30pm. However, this means shorter school terms and longer holidays.
- A typical class size for a private school or nursery is 15-20 pupils, with a teacher and teaching assistant.
- You can read a full report for each school at Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISA). They can also help organise visits and guide you through the entire process.
Annual private school fees start from about £10,000 and go up to £25,000 or more, depending on your child’s age and the type of school. To apply, you’ll need to pay a registration fee (about £150), provide a report from the head teacher at your child’s current school and attend a visit. In some cases, usually for secondary schools, a Common Entrance Exam may also be required.
It’s worth noting that there’s several bilingual schools in the capital, which often have subsidised fees based on the family having at least one national parent.
International Management Answers (IMA) has a wealth of knowledge within the industry, as well as established relationships with many schools throughout London and can organise and guide you through the entire process.
Transport
With six airports and a high-speed Eurostar terminal, relocating to London means living in a well-connected city.
Air
London has great links to six international airports: London Heathrow, London Stansted, London Gatwick, London City, London Luton and London Southend. Each is accessible via public transport.
Eurostar
London St Pancras International Railway Station offers a walk-on passenger service to and from Paris in two hours and 16 minutes, Brussels in one hour and 48 minutes and Amsterdam in three hours and 52 minutes. This service runs frequently and is a great form of international travel, cutting out airport waiting times. Tickets can be bought online prior to travel or on the day depending on availability.
London Underground
The Underground, also called "the Tube", has 11 lines and is divided into nine zones which have a range of different fares. The easiest way to travel on the Tube is to use your Oyster card or contactless bank card to tap in and out of stations.
National Rail
Trains offer transport across London and are useful to reach places that do not have the Underground. There are price changes depending on which zone and whether travelling during peak times.
Black cabs
London’s traditional and iconic black cabs are available all around the city. If you need a taxi, you can hail one when their yellow light is turned on. Taxis can travel in bus lanes, reducing travel time. You can pay with cash or card.
Bus
Iconic red double decker buses ride around London via their own bus lanes. Enjoy the views and atmosphere of the city by sitting on the top deck. You can pay with your Oyster card or contactless bank card.
Bicycle
There are lots of cycle lanes in London. Santander Cycle Hire has various docking locations to hire bicycles. Santander Cycles cost £1.65 for 30 minutes and the hire process is easy using your debit or credit card for payment.How London & Partners can help
Get free advice and answers to all your pressing questions for a seamless relocation. This includes:
- Advice on renting in London, for you and your family.
- Connecting you to our wide network of resources.
- Providing further support on finding the right school or nursery for your children.
