Slightly nervous (Moving to London)

Ok, so DB is down in London today,  and had gotten in touch with some agencies who had advertised online.  Apparently, the flats online either didn't exist in the first place, or were now unavailable (which is completely understandable).

Unfortunately this is very, very common. Barnard Marcus did that to us, and then brought us around to flats way out of our price range. However we were still able to negotiate a place he showed us down to £975. Don't forget that property in Chiswick is overpriced - definitely negotiate!

He's now looking into doing a houseshare, but with that, I'm a) worried we won't have enough documentation of us having ''lived together in a relationship akin to marriage'' for the unmarried partner's visa, and b) feel like we're taking a step backwards (though, I could easily get past this) Having documentation of us living together is the main thing... So I'd prefer to live in a flat for just the two of us.

Does anyone have any ideas on this one? Or particular agencies you were happy with/suggest we try?  Are there any sites that private landlords advertise on? I've used sparerooms, but only ever end up finding houseshares, which I'm trying to avoid..

Flat sharing is just fine to show you have been living together. Any reputable flat share will want you both to sign on to the lease. If you both sign on, you officially have documentation. Alternatively you get your landlord to write a letter when you move in giving permission for you to do so. That's what I did with my spouse. Sure it isn't traditional, but living in London sometimes isn't.

Gumtree is your best bet for private landlords as well as agencies. You can check a box to search for only private landlords. I just did a search for 1 bed in Chiswick and found 2 in the Bedford Park area under £1000/month. They'd been up a while so maybe aren't available anymore. However they do exist.

Since TW8 is on the Brentford side. You'd definitely do well looking in South Ealing/Northfields.

Flat sharing is just fine to show you have been living together. Any reputable flat share will want you both to sign on to the lease. If you both sign on, you officially have documentation.

Good, that certainly puts me at ease a bit; We've already set up a joint account as well, in the event that our names aren't on the bills. So hopefully that will be enough documentation if we go do take that route.

Since TW8 is on the Brentford side. You'd definitely do well looking in South Ealing/Northfields.

I've already sent him some new properties to check out/agencies to contact in that area.

Good, that certainly puts me at ease a bit; We've already set up a joint account as well, in the event that our names aren't on the bills. So hopefully that will be enough documentation if we go do take that route.

If you do end up sharing, do your best to get you both added to a bill if you can, like council tax, or have a bill transfered to your names. Never hurts to have more evidence!

DB found a place in Hammersmith! He's been so stressed about finding a place (as in, losing sleep over it), so I'm happy that the search is over, and he's signing the contract tonight. 

Does £220/week sound about right for including all bills and council tax? I have that it works out to around £950/month (if a month is 4.3 weeks).  Before you jump out of your seats and say "Yeah, that's amazing!"  It's a house share.  We'll have 4 other housemates, and one shower.

It'll be for the first 6 months until I find a job, but if we like it, who knows?!  As far as proving we live together, he's considering having his own virgin line put in for internet (he's a computer geek and plays online games and doesnt want to share internet), so if we have both our names on that, and on the lease, and our joint bank account, do you think that will be enough evidence of living together for the unmarried partner's visa.   He told me to have all my mail sent to his mum's house, but, I'm afraid I then wouldn't be able to use that as "proof" since neither of us will actually be living there.  So I don't think I'm going to do that, and I'll convince him to have his bank statements or something changed to the Hammersmith address.

I think it sounds great! One shower blows, but it's for 6 months. I'd definitely agree that all your post should go to your Hsmith address. Welcome to west London! Perhaps I will see you around when I get there.

*Scratch everything in my last post. 

It turned out to be really dodgy.  DB went to sign the contract, but it was clear that they were doing things in a really odd (illegal?) way.  To pay the rent, we were supposed to put cash in a little envelope and stick it through the letter slot in a house across the street on a weekly basis.  They couldn't set up a standing order, and wouldn't offer a receipt of payment.   DB asked about the desposit scheme, and the lady beat around the bush.  There was also something else that didn't quite sit right with DB, but I can't remember what it was.

So we turned it down.

Back to square one.  We're both heading down tomorrow, and have a few more viewings arranged.  We'll see how it goes!  Cross your fingers for me 

Wow, that sounds super dodgy. And here I am saying "sounds great!"

I think you guys can do better than £220 and wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted.

I'd say keep looking! For £220 a week, I'm sure you can do better than a houseshare with only one bathroom. We live in a lovely one bed flat for £250 a week, albeit in SE5.

First of all, thanks to everyone for their recommendations on living in West London.  This week, wandering around, I fell in love with Chiswick 

However, the price difference just isn't something we can afford right now.  We don't want to bank on me getting a job and using up all our savings in the meantime.  Yesterday, we put in a deposit for a place in South Ealing which is about a 25 minute walk from DB's work, and about 7 minute walk to the shops in Ealing Broadway.

I really appreciate everyone's help, suggestions, and PM's.  We'll be moving in at the end of this week! And, I've already potentially got myself a part-time job at Chipotle The hiring manager asked me to come for a trial shift once I've moved down. 

I don't feel nearly as stressed about money as I was initially.  Our rent (in a houseshare with one other couple) is going to be £820/month, inclusive of all bills.  We'll still have our privacy, because our room has its own set of stairs, an en suite bathroom, and enough room for our desks.

Yay!