Short Lets in London

[Prudie]

Can anyone help please. This a family crisis that I'm not particularly in the know to help with. My daughter is in floods of tears tonight because she and her BF live and work in London. They have been renting but are in the process of buying their first flat together. Against everyone's advice her BF insisted they give notice on the flat (ends next weekend) and now there's a hitch in the sale and they won't be able to move in until mid December or January. Does anyone know where to look for cheap short term lets or B&Bs or rooms that would tide them over in the meantime. She doesn't think they could afford more than £30 a night. Any Londoners that can offer advice of where to look?

[sherrardk]

Has the flat that they are currently renting been re-let? Could they ask the letting agent for an extra month or so?

[Prudie]

That's what I said Sherr. They don't think he has because no-one's come round to look. Unfortunately he's on holiday until Monday. I've told her to ask but she's convinced he'll say no but I'm trying to be optimistic. Just wanted some back-up plans.

[sherrardk]

Fingers crossed it's not let then - he might be grateful if they stay for a bit longer. Hope it all works out ok (long weekend for you all though until the landlord gets back). x

[mazie]

He'll snap their hands off with an offer to stay if he's got no-one lined up to move in.

[Prudie]

Thanks Sherr, I've had her crying on the phone for nearly an hour, it's like the world's come to an end!

[flump1]

Have a look on "Loot " . I think it covers London, bless her.

[Prudie]

Thank you flump, I've e-mailed her the link x

[ladybirder]

Lots of letting agents in London will do short lets, ie a week, a month, whatever. There is a plenty of call for this sort of thing, but it's not cheap. Tell her to ring a couple of letting agents in the area she wants to be in, or she might find adds in the free papers or the London Evening Standard. It will be very pricey over the Christmas period though.

[Eve]

Maybe look into somewhere like this? Prices in Euros and additional fees for cleaning and deposit but worth a look.

http://www.budgetplac...dget-apartments-list/

Depending on transport links then they could look further out if it is cheaper and it works out cheaper overall travel wise. Other alternatives like putting most of their stuff in storage and downsizing to something like a studio might also help cut costs.

Maybe she could have a word with local places to see if they could negotiate a deal for a longer stay but it would probably have to be quite definite booking wise so they can manage bookings Also the issue of food preparation and storage if they are staying in a hotel as money could rack up on having to buy food that doesn't need to be cooked or stored in a fridge.

Do they have any friends they could stay with in return for some rent if they can get a load of their stuff in storage?

Ps if they find hotels with kitchen facilities in the room make sure they look at them first to check them out - I had one booked for me and I'm not fussy but it was awful, dirty, smelly, damp and water running down the wall in the bathroom etc... and run by some creepy men.

[Prudie]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions, we'll look into them all. By Monday they should be able to get an answer from current landlord.

[sherrardk]

Do they get any luck today?

[Prudie]

Thanks for asking Sherr. I'm so relieved, not only has the landlord agreed to extend for a month but the seller has offered them £500 for their inconvenience while he sorts out the problem he needs to with the Land Registry. Crisis over for now!