HELP! Looking for the best Flat Letting agents in London..

Hi guys-

We are in the process of looking for a one bed flat in london..tired of running around like a chicken without a head when it comes to flat hunting. I have resigned to the fact that paying the "administration fee " to a letting agent and lettting them find a place for you is the most time consuming and wise thing to do.

Can anyone recommend any " tried and tested " agents in london ?
I know i can google the info but anyone with excellent personal experience might be better to go by.

thanks heaps
Zufan

My recruitment agency referred me to a website called www.gumtree.com   Really interesting site.  An agency, though I am not sure exactly how good they are since I have never used them is www.flatfinder.org   I think they are based in the Bayswater area of London, but can find a flat for you in any section of London.  Hope this helps. 

I have gone through many agencies and sadly would not recommend any of them.

I've found the 2 flats I've lived in so far from Loot; which has a website with listings, www.loot.com.

Yep I was going to say Loot as well. I have got my last 3 flats in London through Loot and they have all worked out well and in all cases I found a place within a few days.

I know a bunch of people at work who used Stephanie Gladis who is an American who has lived in the UK most of her life (American parents who lived here for work)...she helps with relocation and specializes in working with Americans.  As soon as I can find the phone number, I'll edit this post with it.

Her email is Stephaniegladis@aol.com

Mobile number 07855427880
office phone - 0208 459 5082

well we went through a ton, but the people who ended up helping us were Gilbert estates.  here:

http://www.findaproperty.com/agent.aspx?agentid=1553&opt=list&salerent=1

the woman is nice....and if you took the 310 a week apartment, you'd be living a few floors under me! 

and i must say, findaproperty.com was really helpful.  i ususally went straight to the agent's homepage and worked off that

There's Craig's list, which might be better than Loot nowadays. It also helps to decide where you want to live and then go to realtor's, since many also handle rentals. This is how I found my flat, which, alas, is not in London.

see, i didn't think craigslist has caught on here all that much.  Coming from boston where it's pretty big, i've been disappointed in it here.

then again, it's been a few months since i've looked.

I can't say since I haven't looked at it that much. But I did read about how the London one is frequently used for casual sex dates.

Thanks you guys for the speedy heads up

Yea we've actually been here a little under 5 months so i do know about loot/gumtree/findflat etc. The problem lies in the fact that our budget right now is £700 pcm exclusive of bills ofcourse so i know that limits everything but that is what we can work with at the moment.

Re: loot, are you reffering to online loot ? If so i think there is a fee involved if you search sites online, but i do routinley buy the mag...no luck so far.

I guess the bottom line is we are looking for agents who are specializing in finding " working class " flats . I know if we pay more, all the high street agents would be more than accomodating.

We are currently living in east london for £500 pcm inclusive of bills for a renovated studio flat but the size is too small and we would need a one bedroom flat.

Definitley look into that American agent you suggested Onetiger...thanks

Areas we are interested in are all the " usual suspects "
Islington/Angel/Shordiech/Camden/Holloway/Stoke Newington/Parts of Hackney .
Anything basically east and north east london.

thanks heaps
Zufan

Well, I live in North London (Finchley) in a studio flat (large Victorian conversion) in a very nice neighborhood, and I pay £498 pcm, exclusive of bills (except water).  I found it through Loot (the mag)... so I'd think with a bit of searching, you guys are sure to come up with something pretty decent.
I thought online Loot provided some listings for free.
And from what I know of Stoke Newington, I would NOT go there!  And Hackney would be my second choice to stay away from.
But good luck, and keep us posted.

I live in Hackney.  It's not as bad as people talk it up to be.  I like living here.  It's quiet and convenient for transit.

Ok.  I shouldn't have phrased it quite that way; as all I know of Hackney is what I've read, and by one person's opinion over a year ago.
Reminds me of how I feel when I tell people I lived in Hollywood, and everyone asked if I had to avoid getting shot all the time (the answer:  never).

Thanks you guys for the speedy heads up

Yea we've actually been here a little under 5 months so i do know about loot/gumtree/findflat etc. The problem lies in the fact that our budget right now is £700 pcm exclusive of bills ofcourse so i know that limits everything but that is what we can work with at the moment.

Re: loot, are you reffering to online loot ? If so i think there is a fee involved if you search sites online, but i do routinley buy the mag...no luck so far.

I guess the bottom line is we are looking for agents who are specializing in finding " working class " flats . I know if we pay more, all the high street agents would be more than accomodating.

We are currently living in east london for £500 pcm inclusive of bills for a renovated studio flat but the size is too small and we would need a one bedroom flat.

Definitley look into that American agent you suggested Onetiger...thanks

Areas we are interested in are all the " usual suspects "
Islington/Angel/Shordiech/Camden/Holloway/Stoke Newington/Parts of Hackney .
Anything basically east and north east london.

thanks heaps
Zufan

I thought you guys were trying to get OUT of Hackney. On your budget, I hate to say this, but you probably won't have much joy through an agent, their properties tend to me more expensive than those listed in Loot etc by the landlord. I don't know of any agents specialising in cheaper accommodation - there wouldn't be much money in it for them. I would  widen your search a little,  most of the areas you are looking in are very expensive, eg Angel, Islington, Camden, you will probably find it is mostly studios in your price range.  Try Manor House, Finsbury Park, Wood Green etc along the Piccadilly Line, most of these areas are fairly nice , very mixed comunities and a bit cheaper.  I don't know if you have considered sharing a flat? That can be a good way to live in a nice place on a budget.  Good luck and let us know where you end up!