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

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Flatshares, Houseshares & Rooms to Rent  
Looking for a Flatshare in and around your area? Find it here at Classifieds Property - the home of FREE classified ads.
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Classified Ad Results  ( 1 to 14 of 14 ads found )
27 June 2008
Includes all bills & council tax 4 – 5 mins to london city airport dlr sharing with 3 easy going professionals who like to share a drink/meal at home & socialise at times newly refurbished house. brand new toilet, bath, shower and boiler wooden floors thr. .
£105
E16
23 June 2008
Large room available to rent in nice house in wavertree, close to local shops and main bus routes. local amenities also include pubs, resturants, hairdressers etc, close to town. room is partly furnished, just needs a bed, furniture includes large double wardrobe, sing. .
£350
L13
21 June 2008
superb large single room, fully furnished, french window to patio and large, sunny garden, in quiet but friendly, n/s flat, w/m, gch, tv, wooden flooring throughout, all mod. cons. , close to shops, bus & willesden green tube, zone 2. share kitchen & bathroom. .
£480
NW10
20 June 2008
the apartment has a seperate ,modern bedroom with two good 90x200 cm beds. the livingroom has a comfortable 2 persons bedcouch which you can use if there are more than 2 persons staying in the appartment the bathroom and kitchen is completely equipped (toaster, . .
£350
19 June 2008
Nice double room in a shared 3-bedroom house, gch, two toliets,close to all amenities. clean and nice condition. 6 mins to dlr-prince regent / custom house station the room is fully furnished with fitted wardrobe, table, double bed, lots of space for storage. free w. .
£95
E16
I am looking for a profeshional person to share my house with. double bedroon. fully furnashed bedroom. my house has a large lounge with patio doors that lead onto a nice garden. fitted modern kitchen. seperate dining area. fully fitted bathroom up stairs & shower . .
£375
DA12
01 June 2008
Double room in lovely victorian 4 bedroom house, must be cat friendly as they are social and curious guys. suit professional person, male or female who enjoys a friendly but independant household. it is near all the facilities that you would want, shops, gym, restaur. .
£125
SW15
28 May 2008
Single room in a share house (east croydon) include two toilets, one bathroom & a kitchen, very quiet & safe area to live. suitable for a professional female only (no smoking) rent £90 per ween include bills. 15 minutes from east croydon station for m. .
CR0
26 May 2008
The double bedroom, is fully furnished with all the furiture you would require. there is free wireless broadband and television. the lounge is available to socialise. the kitchen has all the appliances, such as washing machine, gas cooker, fridge/freezer. t. .
£55
B9
16 May 2008
I am looking for an housemate for a house/cottage i am intending to rent in suffolk. age, race, religion etc unimportant. the disabled are also welcome to contact me as well. i don`t care what you are, i just care who you are! if your interested please e. mail and i will. .
14 May 2008
Hello, i have a double room to rent in my three bed terrace house. i am a 36 year old professional female and i have one lodger who is a 24 year old professional male, i also have a big friendly dog called louie. the house is bright, airey, modern, clean and tidy. we h. .
£400
BR8
Rooms available in central london (zone 1 & 2 ) starting prices for a place to share from 80 pounds per week double rooms from 150/170 pounds per week all bills incl water , gas , electricity , council tax + internet please for more info do not hesitate t. .
NW1
07 May 2008
£130 double room (couple) or £95 double room (single person) or £75 for single room northolt. nice, lovely modern house. close to transport. rent including utility bills. furnished house fitted kitchen. 3 weeks rent required in. .
£75
UB5
06 May 2008
room available in new modern house less than 1 year old, based on the new arbury park site close to cambridge science park (north cambridge), house has all mod cons including sky tv, wireless broadband, close to all amenities with regualr bus service into city centr. .
£400
CB4
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