If you are moving home soon you’ll know just how daunting the process can feel. There are a million and one things to remember and it can become overwhelming very quickly.

But never fear! I have created this detailed checklist to help you have a successful move into your new place in the UK, so you can begin your fresh start as seamlessly as possible.

This moving checklist covers everything from changing over utilities and packing to your first day essential tasks in your new home.

It’s split into two sections – ‘Before You Move’ and ‘After You Move’, to help you navigate both processes.

Get your pen and paper ready (or simply save this article to refer to again and again during your move), and let’s get started…

Before You Move

Before you move house you will be itching to start the process, wanting to be in your lovely new home as soon as possible.

It’s a great time to redirect that energy into a series of tasks that will make sure your moving process goes as smoothly as possible. Here is a helpful list of the things you’ll need to do before you move.

Change Over Your Utilities/Bills

Changing over your utilities ahead of time is a great first step to take before you move. This will save you stress down the line, and help keep you organised. 

Make sure you contact the companies you currently have your utilities with and let them know you will be moving house. Provide your move-in date and begin the process.

It’s a good time to start researching new service providers and to decide whether you would like to switch when in your new house for better deals.

Here is a list of people you will need to contact/ things to check:

• Contact your gas, water and electric service providers.
• Look at home insurance companies and decide whether to stay with your current provider or to go for a better deal in your new house.
• Check if your new house is set up with an alarm system, and contact the company to provide your details.
• Notify the council that you will be moving, so they can recalculate your council tax ahead of time.

Change of Address Tasks

There are a number of things you will need to do when you change your address.

You’ll need to call and notify the following of your upcoming change in address:

• Contact the HMRC to let them know if you’re moving.
• DVLA to update your driving licence. Don’t forget to do this, as you will need a new driving licence issued. A driving licence with an incorrect/old address will be invalid.
• Your employer – make sure you let work know when you will be moving, so HR can update your employee records.
• Doctor and dentist – it’s really important to keep your records up-to-date with healthcare practitioners. If you are moving out of a catchment area and need to switch GP surgery get this organised ahead of time for you and your family.
• Bank – let your bank know when you will be changing address so they can update their records.
• Insurance companies – if you have any personal insurance, pet insurance, car insurance or home insurance, make sure you let them know you will be changing address.
• Postal service – let your postal service know you will be changing address so they can set up a postal redirect for your post.

Also don’t forget to register to vote in your new area, and get set up on the electoral roll.

Set Up a New Internet Provider

Getting your internet set up ahead of time ready for your move-in date will save you a headache on your moving day.

Don’t leave you and your family without the internet by skipping this step. This is essential for those who work from home or attend online education classes.

Setting up with an internet provider can take some time, so make sure you do this well in advance. It’s best to ensure this is sorted two to three weeks in advance. Do your research and find a good deal!

Register To a New Doctor

If you are moving out of the catchment area for your current GP surgery then you will need to register with a new one.

Make sure you get in touch with the GP surgery in your new area ahead of time, and register.

This is really important for everyone in your family, as you don’t want to have any issues if someone falls ill.

A good alternative is Babylon Health, they have an NHS service as well as a private so it’s a great stop-gap or permanent doctors choice.

Important Documents

Gathering and organising all of your important documents ahead of time will be a lifesaver during the stressful move process.

You want to make sure you have everything filed and organised, so nothing is lost in the move. Things like medical records, birth certificates and passports need to be kept really safe and organised.

If you have a big family, sorting this out is so vital, to make sure everyone’s records are properly kept.

Arrange Leave From Work

Make sure you notify your employer ahead of time of your moving date and you book the appropriate amount of leave from work.

If you are unsure of your exact move-in date let your employer know and you may be able to work out a flexible annual leave date.

If in doubt, and you have the holiday days spare, book the whole week off that your move-in date is expected to fall within. You can use the extra time to pack/unpack either side of the move-in date.

Give Notice if Renting 

If you are renting you will need to give appropriate notice to your landlord of when you expect to move out. 

Double-check your renting contract and make sure you are clear on the amount of notice required. For some this will be one month, for others, it can be up to three.

It’s best to be clear on this, to avoid stress and confusion at the last minute.

Maintenance on New Home/Old Home

You may need to organise maintenance and cleaning on both your new and current home.

Book a cleaner for your house and for your new house to help you save on extra time and effort at either end of moving. The last thing you want is to have to clean both houses yourself, as this can be stressful and time-consuming. Shoe-horning two deep cleans into your moving schedule are unrealistic for many.

You will also need to consider any home improvements that either home might need, and book a maintenance company accordingly. Any repairs, like issues with plumbing or a boiler maintenance check, need to be sorted in advance.

Book a Moving Truck

Booking your move with a moving company in advance is an essential part of the moving process. You want to make sure you can get a slot with a reputable company, which you can double-check and confirm with closer to the time.

Shop around for good deals, but beware of companies with super low prices. You don’t want last-minute cancellations.

It’s best to get a quote from a reputable company and go from there.

Book Childcare and Pet Care

Making sure children and pets will be out of the way of the movers is key to a successful moving day.

Pets and small children can be injured during the moving process, as people will be carrying heavy furniture in and out of the homes. You don’t want anybody underfoot during this transition.

Moving can also be a stressful time for both pets and children, and they will need to adjust in the new home once everything has settled and is quiet.

Book your childcare and pet care in advance and take them either very early on the morning of the moving day, or even the night before.

You yourself will need a good solid night’s rest the night before, as it will be a long and taxing day. Sometimes having the kids and pets away for the night makes for a more restful sleep without interruptions.

Moving Insurance

Getting some moving insurance is an excellent tip to follow, to ensure your items and home are protected in case of damage.

There is nothing worse than long, heavy scratches over a wooden floor, or lost or broken valuables, with no funds to fix the issues. I’ve even seen someone moving truck catch fire on my street and lose all their belongings.

When booking your moving insurance shop around for a good deal, make sure you fully read the fine print and understand what you are covered against.

Then take photos and make sure they are dated, of all of the items for the move. Organise and catalogue these photos in case of damages, as proof for the insurance company in the event of a claim.

Decluttering

Before you start the packing process it’s a great time to declutter your house.

Sort through everything and begin to throw away what you no longer need.

Start by sorting one room at a time, and gradually moving through the home to declutter the space. Don’t forget the attic (if you have one) – there’s often way more up there than we realise. It’s easy to accumulate clutter over the years, especially if you have a family, and you don’t want to take it all with you into a new home.

I suggest listening to decluttering themed podcasts whilst you work, to inspire you and help you decide what should stay and what should go.

Here are some ideas of things that may need decluttering:

• Kitchen: old tupperware that’s broken or unused, old pots and pans, mismatched sets of cutlery, chipped cups and mugs, multiple sets of wine glasses that aren’t used, old dish towels, old spice and herb pots.
• Bathroom: old towels that are wearing thin, an old bath mat, old shower curtain, old toilet brush, half used products that have been sitting on the shelf for years, dusty unused cleaning supplies.
• Bedroom: old bed sheets and linen, old clothes that you no longer wear, dusty curtains, unsushed decorative cushions, clutter in drawers.

Packing

After decluttering the next step is packing. Approaching the packing in an organised clear way will save you stress down the line.

Here are some steps to follow when packing, to ensure a smooth process:

• Take photos of all of your items and create an inventory. Store them in a folder on your phone, to stay organised. This is especially good for valuables or delicate items, so you have a record of their condition prior to moving in the event of a moving insurance claim.
• If you will be taking apart furniture, keep all of the screws and bolts in a bag and tape it to the underside of the piece. This will make it much easier on the other side when unpacking and putting furniture back together.
• Label all of your packing boxes clearly. Include the name of the room/area the stuff came from, and start a numeric system of what should be unpacked first.
• Protect your flooring on the moving day with cardboard or sheets to prevent scuffs on the floor. Buy these bits in advance so you have something to lay flat.
• Don’t buy perishable food in the week leading up to your move. Instead eat your way through your cupboards, fridge and freezer. 
• Defrost your fridge and freezer before you move them. Allocate a few days to this, to ensure it is done correctly and the appliances aren’t damaged during the move.
• Do your laundry ahead of time – nobody wants to take a big bag of unclean clothes into their new home!
• Label spare keys and window keys and keep them in a drawer in your kitchen for the new owners. This is a great way to stay organised and ensure any keys aren’t forgotten or lost during the move.
• Keep your documents and valuables in a bag to keep on you the day of your move. It’s best to keep the most important things with you, and to not have them lost on a moving truck.

It’s best to start packing a few weeks in advance and to plan a system for unpacking. Add numbers to your boxes and keep a written note on your phone, so you can stay on top of things on the other side.

First Day Essential Items

Many forget about the key essential items they will need for their first day in their new home. Often the home you move into will be completely empty, and you won’t even have toilet paper on hand.

Here are some first day essential items to pack in advance before your move, to ensure your first day goes as smoothly as possible:

• Household essentials – you’ll need some snacks, packaged sandwiches, water bottles and a change of clothes that aren’t packed away so you can easily grab them.
• Toilet paper – this is a must! There’s nothing worse than needing the bathroom in an empty house.
• Shower curtain (if needed) – often the previous owners will have taken or thrown away their shower curtain, which will leave the bathroom very wet if you need to take a shower.
• Toiletries – make sure you have some travel sized shampoo, conditioner and body wash to hand for your first shower in the new home.
• Towels – make sure you take an unpacked towel for each family member, and a hand towel for the kitchen.
• Light bulbs – often the new home will be without light bulbs, leaving you in a sticky situation when the sun goes down. Pack some in advance to use immediately when you move in.
• Tea towels – for general cleaning or mopping up spills.
• Basic cleaning supplies – even if you booked a clean for the new home prior to moving in, it’s best to have some basic cleaning supplies on hand in case anything needs a quick extra clean.
• Bed linens – make sure you have washed and dried bed linens ready to make the beds on your first day.
• Basic tools – there may be loose screws in a kitchen cupboard, or a door handle that needs fixing on your first day in. Make sure you have some basic tools to do any quick fixes before unpacking your stuff.
• Laundry detergent – having a bottle of laundry detergent ready to go in your new home will stop any unwanted piles of washing building up. Your moving day clothes will likely be grimey after the long move, and you’ll want to wash up.

After You Move

After your big move there are several things you will need to sort out on your very first day/week in the new home.

Staying organised and being prepared for what needs to be done will make the first few days in your home as easy as possible.

First Day Essential Tasks

The first day in a new home is super exciting, and often a few essential tasks will fall to the wayside.

Here is a list of what you will need to sort on on your first day in a new home, to keep you on track:

• First aid kit – get together a first aid kit and put it somewhere visible. Make sure all of your family members know where it is. During the moving process it’s likely bumps and scratches, or even splinters may happen.
• Carbon monoxide detectors – you’ll need to locate these in your new home and test them. Replace any batteries and make sure they are operational.
• Fire extinguishers – make sure you locate the fire extinguisher in the house, or purchase one if there isn’t one.
• Smoke detectors – locate and test the smoke detectors and make sure to replace the batteries if needs be.
• Home security system – locate the home security system if there is one and file the paperwork.
• New locks – speak to a locksmith and arrange for your locks to be changed.
• Water meter – locate the water meter and take a reading, submit this.
• Circuit breaker box – locate the circuit breaker box. If this is in a dark place like a cellar make sure you have a torch to hand, or that you can use your phone light torch to light the way.
• Main water shut off valve – locate the water valve, in case you need to shut it off in an emergency.
• Water heater – find your water heater/boiler and check when it was last serviced.
• Gas and electricity meters – take readings from your gas and electricity meters, submit these to your provider.
• Warranties/instruction manuals on electrical items – locate any paperwork for the electrical items in the house and file this with your important documents.
• Any paint in storage to cover scuff on the walls – looking for spare paint in storage (maybe in a garage or shed) is a great thing to do on your first day, as there will likely be scuffs from moving in furniture that need painting over.
• Find out whether there are spare kitchen or bathroom tiles in storage and which company they came from. You never know when one might crack and you’ll need to replace it.
• Return your house key to the old home/ to your estate agent to hand over to the new owner.

Garbage

Once you are in the new house you should make time to find out your bin day/garbage system.

Often this will be on a leaflet somewhere in the important documents for the house, or you can check this online with your local council.

This is really important, as bins fill up quickly, and you don’t want to miss a week of disposal. After moving it’s likely you will have some increased waste, so it’s key you get it taken away.

Unpacking

Before you unpack make sure you walk around the new home and get a good feel for the layout. Make a note of electrical sockets, phone lines, light switches etc, so you know where everything is before your furniture covers it up.

Unpack following the numerical system/labels you used to label your boxes. It’s best to get the whole family involved and tackle the most important rooms.

If anything has been broken or lost you will need to make a claim on your moving insurance. Refer to your catalogue of photos on your phone and provide these when making a claim. 

Food Delivery

Organise a food delivery for your new home, to save you having to go out food shopping. Get a next day delivery and stock up on all of the essentials.

You’ll likely be very busy in the new house and won’t have time to fill the cupboards. Book in a delivery so you don’t have to worry.

I hope you found this moving into a new house checklist helpful and you now feel confident to begin planning your moving process. 

Feel free to refer back to this article and keep it as your personal checklist to help your moving process go as smoothly as possible.

As someone that has hopped on a plane and moved to London by myself, I know exactly what you are feeling when trying to make friends in London. The city can certainly be a very lonely place when you first move over.

London is such a transient city and that can impact your group of friends as people come and go. This is certainly something that I have experienced while living here as friends’ visas expired, they wanted to move to another city, go travelling and so on.

To maintain a group of local friends you will need to build new friendships regularly.

I am sure I am not telling you anything new when I say making friends takes time and commitment to finding the people you click with. Build your initial friend network and then be prepared to go on lots of friend dates! I find a lot of people end up being lonely in the city because they don’t have the time or give up easily. Here are some ways to help you build your group of friends…

Where to Meet Friends in London?

Facebook

One of the most popular places to connect with people is Facebook and there are several Facebook groups you can join that host events, you can suggest events or join other peoples groups.

There is a bit of misbalance between groups that are mixed and ladies only – sorry guys, there are more groups that the ladies can join. Don’t be shy to post your own meet-ups on these groups!

There are many more groups that you can join, these are just the ones I personally use and you will see me posting in them occasionally. I have found some great events and support in the groups.

Let’s Start with Mixed Groups

Kiwi’s in London

Facebook Group run by Clint and famous for making people read his FAQ’s (haha). There are monthly Kiwis in London drinks which are generally located in the South West/ West of London. Even if you are not a Kiwi they are a welcoming bunch so check them out.

Aussies in London

The group provides a lot of entertainment, they host a few events but not as many as Kiwis in London.

The Non-Boring London Collective.

The Non-Boring London Collective is run by Gigi and John, as expats themselves, they understand the difficulty of making friends in London. They run a meet-up only group where they host various events every month plus others create side events.

Britbound

Britbound is run by Sarah, who has been welcoming new faces to London since 2008. Their social package does cost money but they provide you with all sorts of other benefits to like setting up your bank account and NI Number. Without Britbound I wouldn’t have been able to establish my life in the UK.

They host lots of events at their base in Putney, pubs crawls and various other events across London.

See more about their social package here.

Ladies Only Facebook Groups

London New Girl

The group doesn’t host events itself but there are lots of people who create WhatsApps groups or events on the group so just look through the search bar and see if there is something that takes your fancy.

London | Girl Gone International

The group hosts events like colouring nights and a bookclub which you can join via their meet-up page. Similar to London New girl there are lots of people posting events or groups to join. I recently joined a dinner club via this group and has been really fun so far!

Aussie & Kiwi Women in London

Recently Hayley and Kaitlyn have started a group for Aussie and Kiwi Women in London. They have been hosting quite a few events since the group started so I recommend joining if you are an Aussie or Kiwi.

Meet-up Groups

Meet-up has 1000’s of events that you can join, this is great if you have a hobby like photography where there will be heaps of groups based on this. Some will cost money as the organiser can be experts in that field helping you grow your skills.

Links to the Groups

• Kiwi’s in London Chat
• Aussies in London
• The Non-Boring London Collective.
• London New Girl
• Aussie & Kiwi Women in London
• London | Girl Gone International
• Conscious Travel Community
• She Spreads Her Wings

Move into a Share House

Finding an apartment or house in London can be soul-crushing but getting the right people to live with will change your London life (no pressure ;)). Make sure you check out the Facebook groups I mentioned above as they will have people advertising rooms or posts about searching for places together.

Other places you can look at Spareroom (the most popular), GumTree (be careful with scams) and Room Buddies.

On Spareroom you can create a profile telling people about you and join up with others looking for a place. When I first moved to London I met two guys that were looking for an apartment in my price range. They got in touch with my friend and I to see if we were keen and went on a few viewings together.

If you have found some buddies to rent with make sure you check out my article on How to Find a Flat in London.

Connect with People You Know

If you have acquaintances or friends of friends living in London this can be a great way to connect with people. I had an old co-worker that moved to London at the same time I did, while we were friendly at work we weren’t super close. I got in touch with her when I moved to London and she became one of my closest friends in London.

I actually find that people that know acquaintances don’t end up getting in touch and therefore miss out on potential friendships. There is something about moving overseas and bonding that changes your relationship with that person. In most cases for the better as you get a good friend and they can relate to your challenges.

Get to Know Your Friends’ Friends

Do you have any friends or family members know people in London? See if they will connect you together. When I moved over my Grandma connected me with my Great Uncles Brother and while I didn’t become super close with them it was nice to hang out with family and know that they were there.

It’s amazing the kindness of people when living overseas and truly welcome you into their homes.

Pick Up Some New Hobbies

New hobbies are a great way to meet some new friends and like-minded people. Learn a new language, go on a cooking class (the Bread Ahead baking classes look amazing!) or join a sports group.

I found yoga classes a great way to meet new people, my personal favourite yoga studio is Fierce Grace which has a few locations around London.

If you are into sport, then here are some clubs you can look into:

• Some AFL for the Aussies uses AFL London to find a club. 
• Rugby fan uses the England Rugby to find the closest club.
• For Netball try Go Mammoth, you can either join with other people or as an individual.
• Looking for a running group try the Run Together website.

Get to Know your Local

The pub culture is strong in the UK so what better way than making friends by heading to your local pub. Get involved with the events too, chances are your local will hold quiz nights, cheap food nights and much more.

Alternatively, drag your new co-workers for drinks. You will find that as long as the drinks are Monday to Thursday you will generally find someone keen to go for a drink (at least in my industry).

Go and Volunteer

Volunteering is the perfect way to help the communities around you and expand your social network. Some types of volunteering will have a waitlist in London so picking less popular volunteering activities like cleaning up rubbish or something in your local community will be more available.

Check out the Mayor of London’s Volunteer team, Hands-on London or Do It are just two websites you can look into.

Join Apps

Just like the dating thing you can also get apps for the make your friendships. Check out apps like Hey Vina, Bumble and Citysocializer. Some of these apps we will have charges associated with them so they’re not the freeway to make friends.

Citysocializer does host event quite often which you don’t need to pay to attend so just doing some of their weekly or monthly drinks and get to know the people going.

Be a Leader Rather Than a Follower

I cannot recommend this enough to be a leader rather than a follower. Make your own destiny in London and create an event and invite other people along. Advertise your event on the Facebook groups and the next thing you know you will have a sea of people joining you.

When I move to London I met my friend Mel in a hostel and ended up becoming friends. One day we started talking about book clubs and next thing I know I’m a part of a book club. We started off with a few ladies and then the group dwindled down to 3 members.

We advertised on some Facebook groups and next thing you know we have 10 new people attending our bookclub the next month.

It’s been such a success in the way that I make friends in London, every few years we have to do another recruitment run as people move away but it has been the number one way I make friends in London by running this group.

Say ‘YES’ to Everything (Within Reason)

Mimic Jim Carrey in Yes Man and just say yes to everything. Taking that leap and putting yourself out there is the best way to make friends. If you are just watching events go by and not joining any, the journey to finding friends will be longer.

Just be careful and don’t get burned out but truly it is a great way to meet a bunch of new friends.

Stay in a Hostel

When I first moved to London I stayed in a hostel for 3 months and it was the place that I made my initial friends.  I even ended up moving out with one of the guys that I met and then eventually our other friend joined us in the flat.

I get that living in a hostel isn’t for everyone but they can be buzzing places and great a place you can meet people. If sharing a room isn’t up your alley then look at a private room whilst you are flat searching.

Talk to the Organisers if you have Social Anxiety

Recently on a few social media groups, there have been posts about people reluctance to come to events as they suffer from social anxiety. Everyone has a different level of anxiety and I know it can be strong enough for people to cancel.

A lot of the lovely people I have met in London will be happy to help out and try to ensure you feel comfortable. Reach out to the organisers and in most cases, they will do their best to discreetly help you to feel at ease and relaxed.

I’d hate to think people might be missing out because they’re uncomfortable. It’s not easy being away from home. Feel free to PM me on social media as well!

Hopefully, that has given you a few ideas on how to make friends in London and some of these have personally worked for me. If you have any other suggestions on how to make friends don’t forget to leave them in the comments and let’s help the community out!

More Living in the UK Articles

• How to Build a Credit Score as a New UK Resident
• Exchanging a Foreign Licence for a UK Drivers Licence
• Cost of Living in London
• A Helpful Guide on How to Find a Flat in London

The quest to find a flat in London is an involved process and with all the different types of properties, ways you can rent, ways to search for accommodation, knowing what to look for and figuring out the rules, it can get confusing.

I know just how overwhelming this can be when you are new to London. Rental properties are snapped up quickly. If you are immigrating here, you can have a disadvantage with the lack of credit score and UK based references. Those from the UK will find it easier to find a flat.

To save you having to wade through the tricks and pitfalls of the game I am going to give you the best resource for finding a flat in London. This guide to finding a flat in London covers the key things you should know when searching for a flat including:

• When to start flat hunting
• Things to know as a renter
• Setting a budget
• Learn the London flat terminology
• Creating a list of deal-breakers and must-haves
• Researching neighbourhoods
• London expat neighbourhoods
• Using websites and apps for finding flats in London
• The viewing – what to look out for
• When you’ve found a place – offer, contracts, etc
• How to deal with issues if they occur

The guide to flat hunting in London comes not only from my experience and others I have helped over the years but also contributed to by my amazing partner who is an estate agent. With his expertise, we have made sure you have all the tops tips to make your flat hunting go smoothly.

Please note this article isn’t about finding a shared house which will be covered in another article.

When to start flat hunting

It’s normal for you to want to get a flat before you arrive in London and by all means do go online to get a feel of what is available. However, I recommend not starting the process until you arrive.

Not only will it be easier but you will also have the important things established (like a job or bank account). Plus, you will have the ability to get a sense of the neighbourhoods, safety, commute to work and much more once you are in the city.

If you do want to start searching for flats before arriving in London tend, then start you search 4 to 6 weeks (as this when properties tend to come available) prior to your desired move in date.

This is not to say it is impossible to get an apartment before you arrive. However, in my time of living in London, I’ve only met one couple that successfully got an apartment before arriving in the UK.

They had a friend that was willing and able to go house hunting for them and assist during the process. Plus, they had enough money to pay 6 months rent upfront.  

Another alternative is to employ a Search Agent, they will hunt for a flat on your behalf. Simply they will take all your requirements, view the properties, set-up virtual viewing (if you want) and as they have knowledge in the industry pick up any issues with the flat or negotiate.

A Search Agent will normally have the following fee structure:

• Retaining fee – Payable upon instruction prior to the commencement of the search.
• Success fee – a percentage of the annual rent. Payable – Upon signing the rental agreement.

Things to Know as a Renter in London

Some of the key things to know about flat renting in London are:

• Your annual salary (as a general rule) needs to be 30 times more than the monthly rental price. This will vary between different agents and landlords but is a good benchmark to have in mind. If you are renting with other people the combined salary of all on the agreement will be taken into account.
• The tenant fee ban is being introduced on the 1^st of June 2019. Here are the Permitted Charges in accordance with the Tenant Fee Act 2019:

• First month’s rent in advance
• Tenancy Deposit 5 or 6 weeks depending upon the rental amount
• Holding Deposit maximum one week’s rent
• Early termination when requested by the tenant a charge not exceeding the financial loss experienced by the landlord
• Utilities, communication services, TV licence and council tax
• Default charge for late payment of rent limited to interest charged at 3% above Bank of England base rate, when rent is more than 14 days late
• Default charge for replacement of lost key or security device equivalent to cost incurred
• Changing the tenancy documents after the commencement of the tenancy

• With the changes in June there will also a cap on deposits agencies and landlords can request. If the yearly rent is under £50,000 a year the maximum deposit that can be requested in 5 weeks rent. For properties that the rent is over £50,000 the maximum deposit is 6 weeks rent.
• There is now a Zero Deposit Guarantee which means you no longer have to pay a deposit upfront, instead these deposit guarantee will request 1 weeks’ worth of rent and a yearly admin fee. You will not get your money back using this method so if your rent is £1,000 a month and therefore, you’d lose around £200 + the admin fee. If there are any damages during the tenancy you will still be liable for these.
• Your deposit should be protected if you rent a flat under Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract (AST). This will change if you are renting a short let (i.e. anything under 6 months).
• Pets can make searching for a flat more difficult as not all leases allow pets in the building.
• Read how to rent guide.
• This is a really useful document for anyone struggling with understanding the new acts and fees you can be charged.

Immigrated to London? Things to Know Before Renting

Relocating to London can make renting harder especially if you’ve just arrived in England. The more time you spend in London working, the easier it will get over time. Here are some things to consider:

• Not having a credit history will impact your ability to be accepted through estate agents. Some landlords will request that you provide 3 to 6 months rent in advance to ensure the landlord has security.
• If you wish to go down the guarantor route to avoid paying so much rent up front you would need a person that is a UK homeowner who is willing to act as your guarantor so this can be a challenge for those who immigrate here.
• You need to prove that you can legally be in the UK so British Passport, EU Passport or working visa. The paperwork can’t be started until you can prove this.

Set A Budget

According to the National Statistics Office the top four categories of spending in England are transport, housing, fuel and power, and recreation and culture.

Based on those statistics, in 2017 BBC released an article stating that Londoners are spending 41.1% of their annual salaries on rent so as you can easily see your money is gone quickly.

It’s no wonder that London is consistently ranked as one of the worlds most expensive cities to live in.

The best way to help you determine the budget you have available is to use a pay calculator and get a rough idea of your take-home pay. In my experience, this has given me a close enough figure to work with.

Now you can determine which neighbourhoods you can potentially afford; the next step is to consider how much money you will spend on bills and council tax.

In the UK the renter pays property tax and will be based on the occupancy, the band the flat is in (from A to H) and borough you live in.  

The council tax will be based on a yearly cost, for example, I live in Bromley in a band c property which is £1,367 a year. Note that students don’t have to pay council tax, and single occupants get a 25% discount.

There are other factors to consider like food, utilities, transport, etc and you can read more about my breakdown of how much it costs to live in London.

Learn the London Flat Terminology

If you speak English then you will know that there are different terminologies we use in each country. In this section, I will cover the nuances plus a few additional UK rental terms that you may not have heard of.

What is a flat in London? Simply just terminology difference between the UK and countries like Australia and the US. There is no difference between the two. Flats can be built or converted, the two terms are:

• Purpose-built – A block of apartments that were built as apartments when first constructed.
• Conversion (e.g. Victorian Conversion) – A building that was originally a house once upon a time and then converted into flats and one of the most common styles of flat living in London.

Here is some additional London flat terminology to get you started:

• Flat share/House share – The most common way of renting in London. It’s where you live with others, either friends or strangers. If you’re renting with strangers there is normally an interview process to see if you fit within the houseshare.
• Maisonette – There are different set-ups for Maisonettes but basically means that it will have its own private entrance.
• End of terrace, Terraced, Semi-detached are houses and not flats.
• Furnished vs. Unfurnished – Rental properties can come with various levels of furnishing so fully furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished. White goods are included in most cases – this includes refrigerator/freezer and washing machine. Don’t expect a dryer as there often isn’t space for these in flats in London. If a flat is unfurnished you can request the landlord to add furniture like a bed, wardrobe, sofa and dining room table however the landlord is under no obligation to do as you request and this will vary usually depending on the strength of your offer.
• PCM – In the UK you can here PCM which means Per Calendar Month.
• PW – Sometimes properties are advertised with a Per Week price.
• Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) – The most common type of tenancy if you rent from a private landlord or letting agent. You won’t have an AST if you share accommodation with your landlord. To read more about AST here.
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) – This is only relevant if you are renting a property with at least 3 people who are not from 1 ‘household’ (for example a family) but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. For example, if you are renting with 3 other friends then this could become an HMO. To check if a house is an HMO here.

Don’t forget to read the essential you need for a flat in London.

Create A List of Deal-Breakers and Must-Haves

When you’re looking for a place to live you will have a list of deal breakers and a list of must haves for you to want to move into that property. The list shouldn’t be extensive otherwise you’ll never find a place to live but a handful of things will help you assess the properties out there.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Commute time
• Furnished/ Unfurnished
• Proximity to tube/train station, bus and shops
• Number of bedrooms, size i.e. do you need double rooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Parking
• Pet-friendliness
• Garden/outdoor space
• Kitchen amenities/space

Research London Neighbourhoods

With so many choices in London it can be hard to narrow the search to which neighbourhoods suit you. Luckily there are some tools out there to help you refine your search.

There are lots of handy websites which will give you the latest area costs. Using maps tools will help guide you with the prices for areas in London. Here are some to start out with:

• London Mayor website has a heat map that breaks down costs by postcode (for example E1 Whitechapel area) with sample data from the past 12 months.
• Sparerooms has a “where to live wizard” which is a good starting point to get a rough idea of the potential areas. The downside is its based-on room prices and not the rental prices of a flat.
• GoodMigrations is another website that helps identify neighbourhoods. Select the filters that suit you best and it will automatically start pulling up neighbourhoods. When you click on the area it will give you a breakdown of average rent price for the area, what’s around the area, safety, transport and walkability.

Determining if the London Neighbourhood is Safe

Determining the safety of the area can change depending on the person and your comfort levels so it’s good to have some statistics as well. The police publish a crime map and under the find your neighbourhood tab you can enter your postcode or the accommodation you are planning to stay at and see all reported crime in the immediate area.

Wandering around the London neighbourhood during the day and night will give you a good sense of whether you do feel safe.

Determining Your Commute

Citymapper is a great app for getting a sense of the commute you will have to work and is loved by Londoners. The app will provide you in real-time the fastest route to work. Just make sure you set the departure time to your commuting hour.

National Rail is great if your area is on a National Rail route. South East London and a few other areas don’t always access to the underground.

London Expat Neighbourhoods

London is a city filled with expats and there are some areas that we are just famous for building our roots in.

For example, Aussie and Kiwis tend to live in West and South West London like Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Fulham, Putney, Southfields, Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Clapham. Even I have spent some time living in Clapham and it was hard not to pass a fellow antipodean. 

The antipodeans have slowly spread their wings to North and East to be in the hip and trendy areas. Shoreditch, Hackney, Dalston, Angel, Islington and Old Street.

Kensington, Notting Hill and Islington are meant to be where the American live.

Finding your expat neighbourhood in London can make you feel settled in like having familiar people, supermarkets catering to your nationality and making friends. Although I always this it’s always good to spread your wings out a little.

What are the Best Property Websites for Finding Flats in London?

Zoopla or Rightmove

The best place to start your hunt is Zoopla or Rightmove as they are the big players in listing properties. The search settings will allow you to set a budget and property preferences.

What is the difference between Zoopla and Rightmove? There is no real difference in the portals. They have different interfaces and different agents will choose where they advertise.

London Estate Agents

Using the estate agents in the neighbourhood you’ve narrowed will provide you with more options and contact when new properties come to the market. Some of the common ones are Hamptons International, Foxtons, Knight Frank and Savills.

A good way to check if an estate agent is reputable is that they are a part of the Property Ombudsman. I would also check their physical office, branding and online presence to see if that all matches and they are legit.

The Aggregators

Home.co.uk and Nestoria collate properties from across the various portals and act as a search engine for property listings across the web.

Private Landlords

OpenRent – is where private landlords list their rental properties. The properties will be managed directly by the landlord and not via an agency. The stock is not as abundant on OpenRent so you might not find the property you are looking for.

I tend to avoid websites like Gumtree when searching for a flat as there are lots of scammers and less genuine listings.

Finding a Rental Property in London that is Pet-Friendly

Whatever your reason is for wanting to move to London, you’ll likely want to bring your pet along with you if you own one. They are such a big part of our lives!

Is London a dog-friendly city? Yes, London is a dog-friendly place to live and is known as one of the most pet-friendly cities in the world. London offers plenty of beautiful walks and places to live that dogs will enjoy. 

Even though London is one of the most pet and dog-friendly cities in the world, it will still take your time doing some research to figure out where the best place to live will be for you and your pet. Lets with Pets is a fantastic starting point as you’ll need to find a pet-friendly rental property, especially a dog-friendly one.

If you have found an area that you already want to live in then make sure you speak to the lettings agent to help find you a pet-friendly rental property that isn’t overpriced. Do be prepared that this might take some time.

Pet Renting Additions

When shopping around for rental properties for you and your pet, consider making a “pet CV. Creating a “pet CV” can be similar to a person’s CV, but you should list the rental properties you’ve lived in with your pet before.

Then you should also add “references,” like previous landlords and neighbours that can attest to how well-behaved your dog is. That way, you can persuade landlords to consider your pets when they might not otherwise have done so.

Besides figuring out a beautiful place to rent for you and your dog when you live in London, you’ll also want to know about some fantastic places to go with your dog. We’ve developed a list of some of the best dog walks in London for you.

The viewing

Now that you’ve spotted some flats that you wish to view, and you’re all pumped for the viewing, you should have some questions on your list for the viewings.

With the list of must-have this should be your starting point at the viewing to make sure it ticks all the boxes you were looking for. There are some additional questions and checks I’d recommend adding to the list when going on views.

Questions to Ask When Viewing a Flat

Financial Considerations

How much is the rent and what is included? This would have been included in the advert but it’s always wise to reconfirm with the agent.

How much of a deposit is required? What are the conditions for the landlord deducting money from the deposit? As per things to know as a renter there is a cap being placed on deposits so you shouldn’t be requested more than 5 weeks rent. Also if you wish to do the Zero Deposit Guarantee then ask the agent if they are offering this service.

What are the estimated running costs of the property? Helps to get a sense of how much you will be paying in bills (unless the contract is bills included).

Flat Considerations

What type of boiler is there? In the UK there are generally two types of boilers;

• Combi boiler is instant hot water.
• Standard boiler will heat up water on a daily basis (as long as you have the right settings).

Is it managed by the landlord or by the agent? Landlords can do find a tenant only or managed by the agent so this will give you an idea of who you will be speaking to when issues occur.

Who is responsible for what? Depending on the type of flat there could be common areas, such as kitchens, gardens, courtyards or hallways to upkeep so its good to know what you will be responsible for.  

Are repairs required? This will help form a part of your offer if there are issues you can state I would like x fixed before moving in.

What’s the water pressure like? This was a massive issue in some of my flats but this was mainly the shower didn’t have enough pressure to shower in.

Do kitchen appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers work? As most rentals come with white goods you should check that these are in working order and if any issues add this to the repairs.

Can I decorate? Before making somewhere feel like home check what you’re allowed to do to the flat.  

Put in an Offer

Now that you’ve found a place you just have to put in an offer and get the contracts sorted!

When you put in an offer then you need to put any terms you want them to meet, for example,

• Adding furniture (beds, wardrobes etc)
• Repairs

Then stipulate:

• the amount you wish to pay
• break clause that you wish to have, for example, 6 months
• the length of the contract
• the date you want to move in

The landlord will either accept or reject the offer which you can decide the next way forward from there.

Signing the contract

At the point of signing the contract make sure you check the following as a minimum:

• the date
• the terms you agreed
• amounts
• break clause
• length of the contract
• where your deposit is being held

Inventory

The landlord or agent should provide an inventory (or check-in report) which you agree before you move in.

Make sure you agree with any amendments and as an extra safeguard, make sure that you take photos.

If there is ever a dispute about the deposit at the end of tenancy this will make it easier.

Once you are happy to sign it and keep a copy from your records.

Meter Readings

Last thing you want to be doing is paying for the previous tenants’ bills so check the meter readings before you move in.

Contact details

It’s in your rights to know the name and address of your landlord and agent including phone numbers. These to be used in the case of an emergency.

How to Deal with Issues If They Occur

Sometimes things don’t go well and if you are unable to resolve the issues with the agent or landlord then there are services to help support you. Here is a list of companies you can contact if issues do occur:

• Citizens Advice – provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. They will be able to help you understand your contract, issues with break clauses, condition of the property and much more.
• Shelter – housing and homelessness charity who offer advice and support.
• Crisis – advice and support for people who are homeless or facing homelessness.
• Your Local Housing Authority – to make a complaint about your landlord or agent, or about the condition of your property.
• Money Advice Service – free and impartial money advice.
• The Law Society – to find a lawyer.
• Gas Safe Register – for help and advice on gas safety issues.
• Electrical Safety First – for help and advice on electrical safety issues.
• Marks Out Of Tenancy – information for current and prospective tenants.

Let me know in the comments how your flat hunting is going and if you have any additional tips!

More Living in the UK Articles

• Essentials Items You Need for a New Apartment or Home
• How to Build a Credit Score as a New UK Resident
• Exchanging a Foreign Licence for a UK Drivers Licence
• Cost of Living in London

Now that you have finally settled down in the UK it’s time to exchange your license to a UK drivers license. It’s a pretty easy process to exchange your licence once you’ve been here for over 185 days.

Why Should You Change Your Foreign Driving License To The UK One?

The reason I changed my licence is because I was tired of everyone looking my Australian licence asking is this “valid” when I was buying alcohol, using it as proof of ID and I couldn’t use it as proof of address. The main benefits for you changing your licence are:

• Proof of Address – One of the benefits of having a UK licence is that it is the most convenient Proof of Address you can have. Before having my licence I needed to carry my passport around when I needed to something at the bank and requiring me to remember in advance with having my UK licence I didn’t need to worry.
• Cheaper Car Insurance – Most companies offer cheaper car insurance for full UK driving license holders. I recently tested this on confused.com to see whether it was true using VOLVO V60 SE T3 as the car model of choice. The first quote with my Australian licence came to £2924.32 and the second quote using my UK licence came to £937.56. It’s worth making the switch if you are planning to buy a car to save those £££’s.
• Continue driving in the UK – If you wish to continue driving in the UK you must change your licence after 12 months of staying in the UK on a foreign licence. I waited 3 years before exchanging mine however I don’t really drive in the UK. You can exchange it up to 5 years after becoming resident if it hasn’t expired.

Can You Get A UK Driving Licence On A Visa?

As long as your visa allows you to hold a permanent address in the UK and have lived in the country for at least 185 days of the last year you will be able to get a UK drivers licence. For example:

• Tier 5 Youth Mobility
• UK Ancestry
• Right to Abode
• Spousal Visa
• Student Visa
• And others…

How to Exchange a Foreign Licence for a UK Drivers Licence

The process for exchanging your licence is (note that this is only for England, Scotland and Wales, Northern Ireland has its own process).

Check If Your Country Has A Reciprocal Exchange Agreements

To exchange your licence your home country must be a ‘designated country’ (countries with exchange agreements with Great Britain), the countries in this agreement are; Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

The application does ask which country your licence was issued in and where you passed your test. If you didn’t pass in one of the above countries you will have to complete a driving test. You will be able to drive on your licence for 12 months before requiring to exchange.

Complete driving test (if required)

Countries that don’t have a reciprocal agreement you will need to apply for a UK provisional licence and pass the UK practical test. It’s not required that you take any driving lessons before taking the test but it could be helpful to familiarise yourself with the UK rules.

Check out this handy little tool to see if you can drive in the UK on your non-UK drivers licence.

A Copy of Your Licence or Proof of Entitlement Letter From The Issuing Authority

You need a copy of your drivers’ license or proof of entitlement letter from the issuing authority confirming your licence is valid with all of your details etc. and send that in with your application in the UK. Saves you having to re-order another licence.

When I was in Australia I said my licence was lost and paid for a new one. Plus got a new photo whilst I was at it.

If you passed your driving test in Canada or New Zealand you will need to provide proof that you can drive a manual gearbox if you want a manual license.

Manual or Automatic Licence

Your licence should be switched to the type of licence you had in your home country so in Australia I had a manual licence and when I exchange I also received a manual drivers licences. The same happened when my sister applied, she has an automatic licence and received an automatic licence back.

Order Form D1 From The Driver And Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

The easiest way to get a D1 form is by ordering it online, otherwise post offices should have copies of the form.

Get A Passport Sized Photo

You will one standard UK Passport size photo to send with your application. Just like a passport the photo is valid for 10 years so make sure you look your best ?.

Where to get photos? I always end up going to Snappy Snaps for my passport photos as there are so many around. They will ask you what type of photo you require and provide the correct type.

Complete the D1 Form

Simply complete the two page form. If you need any help there is also a guide to support the application.

Send the Application with Your Documentation

You will need to include:

• Completed D1 form
• Passport Photo
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (if you’re on a visa)
• Your licence or proof of entitlement letter from the issuing authority
• £43 fee – As I don’t have cheque book I decided to get a postal order to pay the £43
• Self-addressed registered post envelops (optional)

If you arrived in the UK on a British passport then you just need to add your passport in the application and you will not need to send your passport off with the application.

Please note: If you don’t provide a self-addressed registered post envelope then your documents will be posted back to you in second class post. DVLA will not compensate for any loss or delay in the return of your documents. I highly recommend paying extra for the registered post envelope for a piece of mind.

How to Pay Via Postal Orders and Checks

For some reason the DVLA only accepts cheques! The easiest way to get one is a postal order from the post office. The cheque will cost 12.5% of the value order which will be £5.37 on top of the £43. Simply go up to the counter, ask for a postal order to the DVLA Swansea and one will be produced with the correct amount.

Alternatively, you can visit your bank or credit union’s branch to request a counter cheque. Make sure you check with your bank branch before you make a trip there and see if counter cheques are available. If you use an online bank like Monzo this option won’t be open to you.

Make sure you add your name and date of birth or licence number on the back of the cheque.

Where should I send the application?

The application should be sent to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BT

I sent mine by registered post and included an addressed registered post envelope so it could be tracked when my documents were returned. Your new UK licence and identity documents will be sent separately.

How long does it take to get a driving license UK?

Allow about 3 weeks for your driving licence to be sent to you. This can take longer if they need to check your health or personal details.

Understanding Your UK Driving Licence and the Codes

On the back of your UK licence there will be a table of vehicles (categories) and licence codes which state what you can and can’t drive.

If you have a standard licence then chances are yours will say something similar to mine. My exchanged licence it says I can drive the following categories and with the associated conditions:

• AM which is a 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph) if I comply with code 122 (see below).
• A with restriction of 79 (3) which is motor tricycles with a power output more than 15kW.
• B1 which is basically a quad bike.
• B the one we are most likely to drive, a car. It’s exchanged to a full licence, if you had an automatic licence it would say 70, 78 which is restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission.
• BE I can drive a car with a trailer.

The codes determine what conditions are on your licence. Here is a quick highlight of the codes I think are most common:

• 01 – eyesight correction, for example, glasses or contact lenses
• 70 – exchange of licence
• 71 – a duplicate of the licence
• 78 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
• 79 – restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets on your licence
• 79 (2) – restricted to category AM vehicles of the 3-wheel or light quadricycle type
• 79 (3) – restricted to tricycles
• 122 – valid on successful completion: Basic Moped Training Course 125 – tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014).

For more information on the code here.

Video on How to Get a UK Driving Licence

More Living in the UK Articles

• Essentials Items You Need for a New Apartment or Home
• How to Build a Credit Score as a New UK Resident
• A Helpful Guide on How to Find a Flat in London
• Cost of Living in London