How to Rent a Room in London
Rooms in London go fast, and the people who get the good ones are ready before they start looking. These five steps take you from setting a budget to signing for a room, with live prices from rooms posted on Dwelles.
Five steps to renting a room in London
- 1
Set your budget
Decide the most you can pay each month. Most London rooms do not include bills, so ask what they come to before you compare two rooms.
See room prices across London - 2
Choose two or three areas
Pick areas on a direct line to your work or university instead of searching the whole city. Rent changes a lot from one area to the next, so compare typical prices before you decide.
See the cheapest areas - 3
Reply on the first day
A good London room fills up with messages on the day it is posted, so the people who reply first have the best chance. Set an alert for your areas and budget so new rooms reach you while they are still free.
Create a free alert - 4
View before you pay
See the room in person or on a live video call, and meet the people you would live with. Never pay a deposit or holding fee before you have seen the room and signed an agreement.
How to avoid rental scams - 5
Check the paperwork
Ask for a written agreement and read it before you sign. Landlords must check your right to rent, so have your passport or share code ready. If the landlord does not live in the home, your deposit is usually capped at five weeks' rent and should be protected in a government approved scheme.
Renting a room in London as a student
Start looking about a month before you need to move, as many rooms are listed only a few weeks before they are free. If you need a room for a single term or an internship, look at short term rooms and sublets.
Full-time students do not pay council tax, so a home where everyone is a full-time student pays none. In a mixed flatshare, ask how the bill is split before you move in.
Questions about renting a room in London
How much does it cost to rent a room in London?
A typical room on Dwelles in London costs £1,000 a month right now, and most cost between £880 and £1,150. About 26% of rooms include bills.
How fast do rooms in London get taken?
Fast. A good room often gets a lot of messages on the day it is posted, so reply that same day if you can.
Should I pay a deposit before viewing a room?
No. Pay nothing until you have seen the room, in person or on a live video call, and signed an agreement. Asking for money before a viewing is one of the most common signs of a rental scam.
What documents do I need to rent a room in London?
Landlords must check your right to rent, so have your passport ready, or your share code if you are in the UK on a visa. Some also ask for proof of income or a reference from a previous landlord.