There are a lot of routes you can go if you’re looking for a flat to rent. Do you want to share with a group of friends, or strangers? Do you want a house or a flat in town? Where exactly do you want to live, and how much do you want to pay? Are you going to live on your own, or with a partner? Once you’ve got that sorted, the fun part begins.

Found a Flat you like, what happens next?

When it comes to actually finding a place, there are loads of ways to go about it. People post ads in coffee shops or on bulletin boards, in newspapers and online. Letting agencies can help you find a place (for a fee), and sometimes word of mouth is the easiest way. One the right of this page, we’ve listed just a few of the sites that can help you find a place to rent.

It’s always a good idea to view the flat before you commit to anything. What’s advertised as a modern, breezy flat might in fact be a cold, empty room. Viewing flats can be annoying: people don’t show up, you find the flat is already gone, or it turns out to be completely unsuitable. Expect this, and don’t get discouraged. To arrange a viewing, call the contact number on the advertisement and go from there. And make sure to check out the section on Viewing a Flat before you go.

Once you find a property you can really see yourself living in, read the Tenancy rights article to make sure you are in the know about all the responsibilities you as a tenant hold and your landlord will hold.