Flatshares, Houseshares & Rooms To Rent | Buy, Sell Or Rent Property With Classifieds Property

Flatshares are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to live in the more expensive areas of the country and particularly in London and the surrounding regions. By sharing a flat with others, it means you can often afford a nicer place in a better area than if you decide to live alone and it can also be a great way to make new friends. There are many things to consider when choosing a flatshare though and unfortunately thousands of people make the wrong choice every year and are stuck living in a place they dont like or with people they cant stand. Follow the guidelines below to make sure you find your perfect flatshare in record time.

Things to consider when looking at potential flats
The internet alone has hundreds of sites advertising rooms to let in flatshares which means in the area youre considering there will undoubtedly be plenty of options to choose from. Not every option will be as desirable as the others however and so it is important to get in early and ask to view the better flats as soon as possible. Before you view any flats you can find out about the general area from the internet and any serious crimes, high crime rates or other problems will show up on a search.

When you get to the flat of your choice there are a few important questions that you need to ask the current tenants. For example, are all utility bills included in the rent or will there be extra payments to make each month? Most flatshares stipulate that bills such as gas, electricity, water rates and council tax are included in the rent however phone bills and things such as cable TV are extra. It may be that in some areas of London and other cities there may also be parking charges and so this needs to be considered if you have a car or frequent visitors who have cars.

One thing that many people dont know about flatshares is the policy regarding locks on the internal doors. It may be that you value your privacy and so want to fit a lock onto your bedroom door or in some cases there may be a lock already fitted. If a lock is fitted onto an internal door then the room is considered to be a private dwelling and if you have a TV in the room then you will need a separate TV licence. Thus it may be cheaper to take the lock off the door than buy the licence or pay the fine for not having one! Plus if you find honest reliable flatmates then you wont need a locked door anyway.

Things to consider when choosing flatmates
You may find the perfect flat with reasonable rent and good parking but if you and your potential flatmates are incompatible then life may quickly become unbearable. You should try to spend some time with the people you will be living with in a social setting as people often act differently in their own home to how they act in public and you want to get a good idea of their overall personality before agreeing to live with them. They will probably ask for references from previous flatmates or your employer if this is your first flatshare so that they can get an idea of who you are and what you are like as a person and it isnt unreasonable for you to ask for the same type of references from them.

You can also ask for a contract which sets out the terms of the lease and what is considered to be acceptable so that there are no quarrels or misunderstandings later down the line. Many flatshares come to an unhappy ending because the tenants fail to set down the rules and limits from the start. It might be easier to do this part of the proceedings before you even move in with a drink in hand and with a light atmosphere however you should get down whatever is said and agreed to in writing before it is all forgotten and the alcohol takes effect! This is also a great way to break the ice with new flatmates and to see their real personalities before you sign anything. Some people wont offer a formal contract but if you feel you want one to protect yourself then just ask; if your new potential flatmates say no then maybe they arent as honest and trustworthy as you would want them to be.

Conclusion
With the rising price of rented accommodation in the big cities, it is no wonder that more and more people are turning to the flatshare option. Providing you do your homework and find a flat in a suitable area and flatmates you click with, then flatshares can and often do last for many years with lifelong friendships being built. They can provide an inexpensive way of living in a decent sized flat which is virtually impossible to do when living alone and they can also provide great company if you find the right flatmates.

Flatshares used to be the popular choice for students and young single professionals, especially in the large cities where accommodation is relatively expensive and hard to find, however today people from all walks of life are choosing the flatshare option. Most flatshares go well and there are never any major problems to speak of, plus they allow you to make new friends and even start new relationships. Flatsharing is a great way to live for many people however you need to take some time and find the right flat for you as moving into the first cheap flat you find could turn out to be the biggest mistake you ever make.

Other Flatshares Resources

Budget Self Catering Accommodation In London - London Home Stay offers short stay budget accommodation in London. Choose from either self catering or bed and breakfast with full kitchen facilities available in Stratford and Barking. Houses are located within walking distance to underground stations....
londonhomestay.co.uk

UK Flatshares - Rooms for rent and flatshares throughout the UK. The firm also specialises in house sales, house rentals, flat sales and flat rentals. Find property advice and more...
estateagent.co.uk