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When you decide to rent a flat by yourself, you have two choices: either buy the Loot or similar newspaper, or go to see an Estate agent.

You can find a lot of Estate agencies through the Internet. On the website http://www.net-lettings.co.uk, you will find a group of Estate agencies that you can contact.

Prices vary but for a two bedroom flat in the centre you will pay about £300-360 (again, this is just a rough idea). You will add the bills (gas, electricity, telephone, TV licence) and the Council tax (about 1.5 x monthly rent) every year.

When you decide on the type of accommodation the agency will usually ask for references and will frequently contact another company to request your details. You would have to provide details such as employer phone number, former landlord contact, and bank account. After a few days the agency will be able to tell you if they agree.

Your will sign a contract for 6 months or one year. In the last case, you can add a “Breaking Clause” that allows you (with 1 month’s notice period) to leave the flat earlier than you contract specifies. It is advisable to request this option.

The agency fee is quite low (about £100) but you will have to leave a deposit of one-month rental. For paying the rent to the owner, they may ask you to complete a form setting up a direct debit from your bank account).

When you move into the flat, you will need to sign an inventory to certify the state of the accommodation and possessions if furnished. Really detailed (can specify a finger print on a wall), this is also your guarantee should anything be damaged beyond normal “wear and tear”. For anything broken, or for all further improvements you will need to ask the landlord. Opposite to when you buy, you theoretically need to ask the authorisation for all future changes (even a pin on the wall) that you will make to the accommodation.

Finally you might wish to redirect your mail, call BT, the electricity, Post-Office…

You will find other good information and tips with http://www.globalresident.com (click on the London Living guide).