Relocating to South West London

We understand that leaving behind the safety of living with your university mates is likley to be one of the most daunting aspects of your placement year. However, relocating to London will undoubtedly be a highly rewarding and exciting experience.

The Location

Clapham is a desirable area of South West London, with it's vibrant nightlife, excellent transport links and abundance of young professionals. You could also choose to live in the surrounding areas of Battersea, Wandsworth, Streatham and Balham, which are also very popular with our employees.

The Price

You should expect to pay between £400 and £800 per month, depending on which area you choose to live in and what type of room you are looking for, so it makes sense to shop around. You are likely to have to pay around 4-8 weeks rent for your deposit and one months rent upfront, and remember to include the cost of utility bills in your budget. As a University Year Placement student you should be exempt from council tax. Get a council tax exemption form from your university to show to the council.

The Search

When looking for properties, it is advisable to look at as many agents and websites as possible, with a clear list of your criteria.

Using the Experian QAS internal message board

We have a space on our intranet for employees to place advertisements. If you would like to advertise here, please contact a member of the recruitment team who will place the advert on your behalf. Any of our employees looking for a house mate can then contact your directly.

Asking around

Once you have accepted a placement position with us, you shall be in regular contact with your manager and team members. Make sure you ask them if they know of any opportunities or can offer advice. Remember, they will all have experience of relocating to South West London. We will also hold a placement lunch, with both current and prospective placement students which is a great opportunity to discuss relocation with the other prospective students starting with you. Furthermore, talk to other placement students at your university, some of who may be moving to London.

Using external websites

There are a number of websites used by house sharers, landlords, and estate agents to advertise opportunities for room mates/ flatshares.

www.gumtree.com
You have to be swift when using Gumtree, rooms will go fast. If you are travelling to London for the weekend to view houses, then browse Gumtree on the Thursday or even Friday to arrange viewings/interviews.

www.spareroom.co.uk & www.easyroomate.com
These sites allow you to create a profile, through which you can contact landlords or they can contact you. The information on profiles in often very detailed, with many including pictures. There are also additional features allowing you to search, for which you have to pay, but you can still easily find somewhere without signing up to these.

www.hotproperty.co.uk
This allows you to search for properties according to location or transport. This can be very useful for those new to London who are unsure of where to start their search. Our offices are located just a 5 minute walk from Clapham Common tube station, so why not search for properties along the Northern Line.

www.facebook.com
It is likely that most, if not all, of you will be aquainted with facebook. Why not use your profile or a group to advertise your need for accomodation in London.

Using a letting agency

At the end of this page is a list of letting agencies in and around Clapham. We suggest calling a few, and to only use agencies which you feel comfortable with. You should only pay them money upon signing a contract for a property, and this should be a set percentage of the rent. It is illegal for estate agents to charge an upfront free or for property viewings.

The Property

When looking at a property, you should consider the occupation date, the length of the contract, tenancy period and the deposit. Usually a deposit of one month's rent (minimum) will be required and you may be asked to provide references (QAS can provide you with one confirming your employment). You should read through the tenancy agreement carefully - the citizens advice bureau may check this for you. You may also get an inventory, which you should check and keep a copy of. Establishing what is covered under 'maintenance' is also important, for example boiler, fridge and so on.

You should get a good feel of the neighbourhood and the general security of the property. It's also wise to check out the general state of the roof, walls, bathroom, windows and doors, wiring, plumbing, heating, kitchen fittings and to agree when any essential maintenance work will be carried out.

For more information on renting, go to the 'private renting' section of the government's public services website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/index.htm

Estate Agents in and around Clapham

Acquire Estate Agents
497 Battersea Park Road, Battersea, London, SW11 4LW, 020 72282629

Alvares Estates Ltd
83 Acre Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 5TN, 020 72742423/ 2827980

Andrew Kent
99 Northcote Road, London, SW11 6PL, 020 7223 0947

Aspire
53 Abbeville Road, Clapham, London, SW4 9JX, 020 86751222

Atkinson McLeod Estate Agents
31 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9EY, 020 87726100

Bullman Booth Ltd
127 St. John's Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 1SZ, 020 79241469/ 2746391

Castle Estates Ltd
212 St. Ann's Hill, Wandsworth, London, SW18 2RU, 020 88709534/ 3092010

Cavendish Estates
27 The High Parade, Streatham High Road, Streatham, London, SW16 1EX, 020 86777007

Chestertons
172a Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 5TG, 020 79246191

ClickSell
11 Friday Court, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3GA, 0845 450 1406

Courtenay
174 Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, SW11 5TG, 020 72289911

Credential Ltd
108 Tooting Bec Road, Tooting, London, SW17 8BQ, 020 87670022/ 4766775

Desouza Residential Lettings & Sales Ltd
201 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London, SW18 4DR, 020 88704161/ 4006649

Douglas & Gordon
30 Abbeville Road, Clapham, London, SW4 9NG, 020 86750888

Dunmore Estates Llp
Maritime House, Old Town, Clapham, London, SW4 0JW, 020 7627 2622

Eden Harper
64 Battersea Park Road, Battersea, London, SW11 4JP, 020 77201116/ 4335562

Greater London Properties
79 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1D 6QB, 020 78518530

Green Locations Ltd
129 Northcote Road, London, SW11 6PS, 020 77381538/ 2679205

IMM Properties
91 Eccles Road, London, SW11 1LX, 020 7223 3100

Jacksons Independent Estate Agents
115 Balham High Road, Balham, London, SW12 9AP, 020 86756555

James Pendleton
53-55 Balham Hill, London, SW12 9DR, 020 86737777

John Hollingsworth
42 Abbeville Road, Clapham, London, SW4 9NG, 020 8675 2224

Letzmove
212 Copse Hill, Wimbledon, London, SW20 0SP, 020 8946 7661

Ludlowthompson
6 Clapham Road, London, SW9 0JG, 020 78204100/ 2826702

Marsh & Parsons
28 Old Town, Clapham, London, SW4 0LB, 020 7501 3666

Nicholas Ashley Ltd
229 Gipsy Road, London, SE27 9QY, 020 87660234/ 3308365

Oliver Burn
362 Clapham Road, London, SW9 9AR, 020 7622 1121

Osborne Estates Ltd
81 Norwood Road, Herne Hill, London, SE24 9AA, 020 8674 2777

Pearl Homes
118 Fortess Road, London, NW5 2HL, 020 74851444

Penmans
260 Balham High Road, London, SW17 7AN, 020 8672 4422

Penny Lawson Properties
137 Balham Hill, London, SW12 9DL, 020 8675 8137

Peter Woods London Ltd
707 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5UL, 020 73847474/ 3273518

Purser & Co
38 Balham Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9EL, 020 86734666

Sheraton Law
1-3 Old Town, Clapham, London, SW4 0JT, 020 76275566/ 3196769

Southview Property Services
214 Balham High Road, Balham, London, SW12 9BS, 020 8772 3131

Sullivan Thomas
783 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5HD, 020 77518899

Temples
153 Lavender Hill, London, SW11 5QJ, 020 7228 3191

Uk Home Lets
38 Abercorn Way, London, SE1 5HL, 0871 641 9922

Urbanlettings.com
Tempo House, 15 Falcon Road, Battersea, London, SW11 2PJ, 020 7585 2761

Vanstons
28 Old Town, Clapham, London, SW4 0LB, 020 7501 3666

* We would appreciate any feedback regarding your accommodation search, both successes and failures! This helps us ensure that our guide is as useful as possible for future placement students. Please email any feedback to placements@qas.com.

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