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Finding a place to stay is probably one of the most difficult tasks when coming to live and work in the UK. Being new to the country means you probably won't know very much about what options are available to you, and more importantly what you need to know about how to arrange any of them. |
Do not to even consider arriving here without having pre-arranged some temporary accommodation. Don't think about trying to organise long-term accommodation either - you simply do not have the resources or the knowledge to do this and you will only end up in an unsuitable arrangement if you try.
The most important thing at this stage is to make sure you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive. If you haven't worked overseas before then remember that you are going to have a lot to do when you first get here. Getting everything together before you start takes time and energy so the last thing you need is additional stress from worrying about accommodation.
Lastly, make sure you budget accordingly as we would suggest that you organize somewhere for a minimum of a week but preferably two weeks to a month. When you enter the UK the Immigration Rules state that you must be able to show you have sufficient funds to meet the cost of your accommodation. This means that you have a whole lot of saving to do, as the cost of living is one of the highest in the worlds second only to Tokyo - apparently!
As we say time and time again - don't even think about arriving without having organised at least a weeks worth of temporary accommodation. Unless you are moving in with friends, or long-term accommodation has been arranged and confirmed for you, then book at least a weeks accommodation. A week will soon pass and if you have to start work straightaway then you don't want an accommodation nightmare hanging over your head when you start your new job.
If you have a start date for work then ideally you either want to have arranged permanent accommodation before you start - therefore arrive a couple of weeks before your start date. Otherwise book temporary accommodation for a couple of weeks so that you can focus on your new job when you get here rather than where you are going to be living on your first day of work.
BritBound Says - Long-term accommodation is best arranged after a few weeks of living here. Not only will you have met people who can help and (maybe you could live with) but also people who can advise you on their experiences and knowledge of renting. You yourself will also have a much better idea of the areas / prices etc.
It is a very good idea to find out more about the different areas before you decide where you want to live. There are many websites that will give you a rundown of the local area and tell you about crime rates, school standards and the average cost of buying/renting a property.
If you have friends or family here then ask them to suggest areas to focus on - if none of them live in the area where you are heading then why not ask your employment contact - if you have already been offered a job - those living local to where you are working will be able to provide invaluable information.
www.upmystreet.co.uk
Your Local Council / Borough Website e.g www.greenwich.gov.uk
House/Flat share - due to the cost of renting an entire flat or house, people often advertise for a flat share or house share. This involves sharing the flat, all amenities and bills with other people - sometimes you may do this with a bunch of friends or other times you'll move into a house already occupied.
Lodger - This is where you share the house with the landlord or in other words with the person who owns it. You generally have access to all areas of the house but this will usually be stipulated in your agreement.
Studio - This is generally an open plan space where there is a kitchen and bathroom adjoining the living room which doubles as the bedroom, the sofa is usually a sofabed or pulls down from a wardrobe style unit. Some studios have been built where the bedroom is a split-level arrangement and above you - they all vary tremendously.
Bedsit - A bedsit is usually one furnished room with a small kitchenette area; the bathroom is either an en suite style area or is outside and shared by others.
Keyworker Accommodation - Keyworkers are usually public sector employees such as teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers. Accommodation has been built which is lower priced and usually a block of flats similar to university halls of residence - these are only available to keyworkers and you normally have to work in the borough where they are based.
Flat / Apartment Flat - usually has at least one separate bedroom with a separate bathroom/shower, kitchen and living room. Flats usually occupy one floor of a house or are part of a block of flats.
Detached House: A house that does not adjoin any others
Semi - Detached: A house that has been divided in two.
Bungalow: A one-storey house usually with an attic that has nowadays been converted to form a second level in the house.
Cottage: A small house usually found in the country.
Maisonette: Self-Contained living accommodation often occupying two levels of a larger house and having its own outside entrance.
Townhouse: A terraced house - usually in an urban area, often having the living room on the first floor with an integral garage on the ground floor.
Mid / End Terraced: A row of houses all adjoining with two on each end being the end-terraced.
Furnished: With Beds, Wardrobes, etc.
Unfurnished: Means you have to provide everything for the flat yourself.
BritBound says - There are many different forms of accommodation - it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the various options and which one will be most suitable so you can narrow down what you are looking for.
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