THE farther one rents a flat from London’s center, the cheaper it will be. This is not a problem if your business is located on the outskirts of the city but if you’re commuting through the Tube or taking any of those black taxis or driving your own car, you’ll be consuming more in terms of fares and gas expenses and you won’t save in the end.

Yet there are other factors that must affect your decision before renting a flat in London. First, renting a flat is ideal for persons who are here on a long-term basis like an exchange student or so. If one is here for a one-week conference, one better stay in a hotel. Anyway, your stay in the three-star hotel is billed to your employer most likely. But if one is on a six-month language course, then staying in a flat is definitely the ideal place to be billeted. The nice thing in being billeted in a flat is that your flat suite offers the same conventional amenities and facilities found on a three-star hotel room with the lesser amount of course. Some of these facilities are cable TV and Internet connection. Then be noted that there are two kinds of flats – furnished and unfurnished ones but the furnished ones come with a steep price obviously.

You also have to be wary if you take on a furnished flat. Check if all the furnishings, the appliances and the furniture are functioning properly. Some London flat landladies usually offer HD television (either LCD or plasma) to go with your rent. You must check these as well as other appliances like dishwashers, dryers, microwave ovens, electric stoves, electric irons, beds, cabinets, drawers, couches, etc. You must also check if there are no vermin invading your house like rats and ants. One indication that your house is infested is by checking whether plants in the front lawn outside have the presence of ants. Another thing that one must know before signing a contract with your landlady is to check about the relative peace in the neighborhood. Check also if the neighborhood is not prone to floods. Check too where the nearest trauma hospital is (or a hospital specializing a certain disease if you got one like a heart center). You must also persistently ask the landlady whether the person renting the room next to yours is on the level.

Another tip in saving while staying in a London flat is to rent on a per-group basis. This means that you don’t rent on your own but with a dozen. This will inevitably make your stay in London lively as you’ll be with your friends. If you’re new here in London, you better get some friends (work colleagues or classmates will do). The most exciting adventure you can have is to rent coed rooms.

This will surely be a blast because you’ll be sharing rooms with both sexes. But first, your roommates of the other sex must explicitly be consenting this arrangement otherwise you’ll not be living harmoniously. If you rent on a per-group basis, you’ll be sharing utility expenses – electricity, water, phone, cable TV and Internet connection, etc. You can also take turns in cooking the food and challenge the lesser chefs in the group to be masters in food preparation.