Best way to get a place right away?

I'll be moving to Liverpool in late June, where I'll be staying with relatives upon arrival.  However, I'd like to get a place of my own almost imediately, if I can.  I browse through some of the local letting agents websites from time to time, but unfortunately I don't see a lot of choices available.  I'm not fussy, I just can't seem to find much of a selection for Liverpool, as opposed to places down South.  Nevertheless, I am bound and determined not to be a burden to my relatives, so I would like to know if any of you might have some advice on how I can find a flat or a house in the neighbourhood I like within the first few days of my arrival.

I am also curious if most flats advertised in Britain are available to move into that very day, or if you have to wait till the 1st of the following month?  If I'm bringing most of my own furniture, can arrangements be made with most landlords where they could empty the residence of their furniture and possibly cut the rent down a bit?  It seems most lettings in Britain come furnished. 

Most of all, what paperwork and how much money should I bring with me when a letting agent takes me around to show me what is available?  Do I need a local checking (current) account right at that time?  How many months rent and how much in letting agent fees should I be prepared to pay down when I see a flat/house I like?

Thanks in advance for any sage advice!  I am most grateful to any of you who can lend me your voice of experience regarding this topic.

hello
i don't know liverpool well but it's worth having a look here: www.rightmove.co.uk for rentals.

unlike the states, you don't pay rental/estate agents - the home owners do [yeah!]. you can sign any sort of lease, but by law you can get out of it at 6 months, so most leases are 6 month or year long leases (with the understanding you can get out at 6 months).

i don't think the move in date is necesarily on the first of the month - i think it varies. i suppose if you want to be able to move in fast it would be easier to deal wiht an individual instead of an estate agent, although I realise that's probably going to be tough when you don't know too many people.

To expedite the process you will want to be able to show your 'financial health' - you will definately need a UK bank account, so make that a priority to get once you arrive. Also a letter from your employer or something to that effect will help as well. Basically they want to know you can afford to pay rent. I think they are a bit tougher with this sort of thing then in the states so anything you can do to show how wonderful and reliable you are, the better. This could even include a letter from your relatives saying that they would 'co-sign' for you.

Also, I am not an expert on Liverpool, but in general the rental market is not as crazy as the house sales market here so don't feel like you have to take the first thing you see *and* it's quite likely you can bargain a little bit.

Good luck! Don't take no sh**! 

oh - just realised you wrote this in january.... hope you've found a place!?

We looked at a flat on Monday and moved in on Friday. We had to have the first month's rent and 6 weeks rent for a deposit, and paid the letting agent something like 350 pounds, too. We had opened a bank account one week earlier (we went with Lloyds and all we needed was my husband's work address, though you could easily use your relative's address -- just make sure wherever it is, it's an address you don't mind mail about your bank account going to!). We then wired money from our U.S. account to Lloyds and had it on hand. All in all, we needed quite a bit of cash. however, if all depends on the price of the flat, of course, as to how much you need up front. And if you go with a private renter, you won't have agent fees.