Letting an Apt in Widcombe, Bath

Hi
I'm just trying to get all the advice I can on trying to let an apt/house in Widcombe, Bath (South West England) - or a nearby area.  I'm in the States currently but have bank account with Nat West all set up.  We arrive Sept. 6th, and I just want to find a place ASAP.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've already scoured most the letting webpages and even tried to contact some agents via phone and email, but they are not returning my requests for some reason.  No clue why.

Most letting agents won't talk to you until you're here.  They want you to view properties ASAP so until you're ready to look, they won't bother.  It doesn't take that long to rent a place, especially if you've already got a bank account.  I know it's hard to come without having accomodation pre-arranged but you probably won't have any luck from across the pond.  Arrange for a stay in a B&B and look when you get here.  It's easier that way. 

I'm in the States currently but have bank account with Nat West all set up.

Off topic, but how in the heck did you manage that? 

Off topic, but how in the heck did you manage that?

Indeed! Do tell!

Oh and just to clarify.. you're looking to RENT an apartment, not let one.  If you are a property owner seeking tenants, you have a property to let.  Otherwise, you're looking to rent.    

... ah!  just what i was going to say,  Kristi!   

AH!  thanks for the clarification on "to let" vs. "to rent"   - the title of my email "university lecturer looking to let" must have confused the brokers.  And is that right?  "brokers?" 

Thank you for the warning/info that they don't really care until you are there - I thought there was something wrong with we were doing or the that Brokers were just being extremely rude.  Not one has returned a phone call and only one agency returned an email.

Whether you label this rude or custom, it's bad for business in my view.  The earlier someone sets up a relationship with me, the more likely I am to do business with them.  But whatever - maybe I'm just bitter because its a pet peeve of mine not to return calls or emails.

Moving on: regarding setting up the bank account.  My partner and I were in Bath back in May for his job interview.  Upon the good news that he'd been hired we went straight to the campus bank and began the process of setting up accounts.  They sent us the documents when we were back in the states, contacted our bank out here and viola, a bank account. 

I realize how lucky we are to have started the process early and how difficult it can sometimes be not only to set up, but also try to rent an apartment.   BUT, THANKS TO THIS WEBSITE I was an informed ex-pat!  ;-)

I can't begin to list the many areas in which uk-yankee has saved me the unnecessary but almost unavoidable hassles that most people go through.  Thank you to ALL!

the title of my email "university lecturer looking to let" must have confused the brokers.  And is that right?  "brokers?" 

estate agents

AH!  thanks for the clarification on "to let" vs. "to rent"   - the title of my email "university lecturer looking to let" must have confused the brokers.  And is that right?  "brokers?" 

Thank you for the warning/info that they don't really care until you are there - I thought there was something wrong with we were doing or the that Brokers were just being extremely rude.  Not one has returned a phone call and only one agency returned an email.

Whether you label this rude or custom, it's bad for business in my view......

 get used to "customer service", it gets better! .......sometimes it pays to go small on a Google (U.K) search if ya know the area that ya wanna live in, just a suggestion

Moving on: regarding setting up the bank account.  My partner and I were in Bath back in May for his job interview.  Upon the good news that he'd been hired we went straight to the campus bank and began the process of setting up accounts.  They sent us the documents when we were back in the states, contacted our bank out here and viola, a bank account. 

I did the same thing before I moved -- came over for a week about 4 months before my move and opened a bank account. To anyone who can manage a pre-move trip, I highly recommend it! It's great to have one less thing to think about once you do make the big move. Plus, the convenience of having a bank account ready to go to help with all the moving incidentals is invaluable.

estate agents

Sometimes known as "Letting Agents" too.  We do have some very poor customer service in this country, but Letting Agents are particularly notorious for a bad service, considering they make money off the deal!

You would think that you let them know roughly what you are looking for and they'd keep in touch if anything appropriate comes up, but as places tend to rent quite quickly, they don't need to do any of the legwork, they just ask you to call them every week.

Another thing to remember is that by the time the flats are advertised in the paper, they have already been available for almost a week if not more.  With some agencies you can sign up for e-mail alerts, although I know that won't help you from the U.S.

Here is a good link;
http://www.rentamatic.co.uk/

Another tip is the more upmarket local magazines (for example, we have one here called "Sussex Life" and a lot of the nicer properties get advertised in there and not with local rental agents in town. I'm sure Bath probably has a similar publication.

wow, thank you all for the tips/info - really helps me out. 

To bad that the middle man just gets paid because he's there, not because he does anything of value (at least for the renter).

In case you haven't stumbled across this...here is another link to try.  http://www.rightmove.co.uk/

Best of luck on your move!

Yes, I've checked those out, in addition to the links below.  Many are Bath specific, others aren't.  Most are for letting, a few are for sale only sites.  They are from my bookmarks and I will list them here in aims to helping my fellow ex-pat (but secretly hoping this doesn't create competition for me when looking for a place next week!)

I did the same thing before I moved -- came over for a week about 4 months before my move and opened a bank account. To anyone who can manage a pre-move trip, I highly recommend it! It's great to have one less thing to think about once you do make the big move. Plus, the convenience of having a bank account ready to go to help with all the moving incidentals is invaluable.

I tried that and was told that there was no way I could open a bank account until I had PROOF that I was a resident (i.e., utility bill in my name at a UK address).     (I tried flashing my little maroon passport at them, but they were unimpressed...sigh....)