Whenever an immigrant comes to UK or planning to come to UK [whether as a bachelor or as family], the first and most important point is searching houses for rent? or which city or town should be chosen?
Below are the key points everyone must consider before making a final decision.
Key requirements to get house
1. Safety: Crime now a days is increasing everywhere, its very crucial as an immigrant when ideally you don’t have personal car and will mostly use public transport. Try to avoid places very near to Town center, reason being renting or buying house will be costly and chances of more safety concerns, However there are more shops & restaurant in Town Centre. You can check local statistics on Street Check website [This will give some statistics of the local area, peoples and their jobs, their religion, communities.]
2. Distance from your work location or Study: This is a very important factor considering public transport is very costly in UK, also no-one wants to spend their time in commuting. However, proper job location like London is costly for accommodation.
3. Budget: As per recent data average immigrant spend almost 60% of the income on rental or re-payment on house. Obviously we all come in UK to save and earn more, so budget consideration is one of the most important factor.
4. Availability of Grocery shops or DESI shops: As an immigrant, I will want have access to shops or day to day items which I am used to in my own country. As an immigrant I will try to chose a place where at least one shop is present where I can buy my home country items, such as groceries, vegetables etc.
5. City Life or place of visit: As a new visitor to UK, someone would like to travel to London and enjoy city lives and vibrant culture and night life of UK. Which I must say awesome. So I will try to choose a place where I can visit to top cities within 1-2 hours of commute.
6. Commuter Towns: Due to cost of living crisis in UK and huge costs in London or top cities, people are moving out and choosing Commuter towns. Commuter towns are small towns with good connectivity to top cities. This will reduce 1000s of pounds in each month cost. Also these towns will have less hustle culture little bit relaxed life. This point is a very important factor in the decision process.
7. Availability of A&E or Hospitals: I can’t stress enough on this point. A&E [Accident & Emergency] is a type of hospital which is open 24 hours. By d way here in UK few hospitals services not available 24 hours or over weekends. So availibilyt of A&E hospital near by is very important factor.
8. Availability of Schools if you have kids: If you are a parent, kid’s study is very important for you. Availability of good primary school and secondary schools is important as well. You can check the list and their Ofsted Rating via this UK government link – Check Here
9. Community or sense of belongings [Temple or your religion places]: Though as an immigrant comes long from home country but no-one forgets their roots and culture. If you have access to your own community or things, you will be in joy. As an immigrant myself and from my own experience I can say after some time in UK, you will definitely miss this.
10. Bills & Good WIFI connection: Though in most places in UK follow same price structure but few differences are always there, you may check before moving.
Below are the few Websites to rent property from:
1) Rightmove
2) Spareroom
3) Airbnb
4) Zoopla
5) Waseka
6) Openrent
9) Facebook Marketplace – Beware of scammers
Few Extra Points to consider:
- Prefer Short Stay houses, premier inn – for short stays while looking for rent.
- No Deposit Money options [Check if there are any third party provides guarantee on your deposit].
- Guarantor Needed or not.
- Always ask for discount on asking price can save 5-10% of asking price. Provide justification if possible.
- Proof of stay verification or Right to rent Verification from UK GOV website.
- Visa docs if needed for verification.
- Rental Contract period [1 year, 2 year with 6 month break in clause] verification.
- Check parking availability for the house or Council parking need to be booked separately as parking is costly in UK.
- Hidden charges if any for example Rental Insurance.
- The property is Furnished or unfurnished. Furnished property will save tops of money at the beginning.
- If you are coming with Child, you may need to opt for bigger house, check with local council.
- More than 70% houses in UK have Damp or Mold Issue during winter. Check in advance for signs. Try to avoid houses like this.
- Always verify the heating in the house. [Generally Gas boilers are cheaper than electricity heating options]
- Avoid Carpet flooring for people coming from India or other places & with child tough to clean if there are stains.
- Cooking option as GAS is preferable over induction for most people.
- Always ask for Mailbox and meters position for submitting monthly bills. Generally the meter boxes are kept outside here in UK.
- Check for Water pressure in room when visiting the house or property.
By carefully considering these factors, you can find the perfect family-friendly houses for rent during your UK stay. Remember to prioritize your family’s needs and preferences to ensure a memorable stay in UK.