You can either come into our office and have a free consultation or visit the 'Buy Our Appointment Service' page below for a comprehensive description of our services.
How do you differ from an estate agency?
Our service is very different to that of an estate agency. We do not drive you to the properties to view them, or organise your contract once you have taken a property. If you take a property through us, all the paperwork will be done directly thorugh the Landlord and you pay the rent and deposit directly to the Landlord. Because of this, we do not charge any commission on top of your weekly rent, and that is what helps to make our properties so reasonably priced! An estate agency charges anywhere between 10% and 20% on top of what the landlord receives. The majority of the landlords who go through Flatland own five storey Victorian houses which are converted into studios and flats, and they do not want to have to pay management fees and letting commission to estate agencies, and this is why they are so keen to go through Flatland, as we work for them purely as an introduction service with no commission. This is why we have so many properties- we are very much a favourite amongst London Landlords! They flock to us with their vacancies as they do not have to pay commission. We have thousands of Landlords who only deal through Flatland. The properties on this website are typical examples of the properties in the 3-5 storey Victorian Houses that we work with but may not specifically be available to rent when you require. To check availability please go to the Buy Our Appointment Service Page where you will find a direct telephone number to a letting consultant in our office ( 07799597662 ).
What is the fee for? Why do I have to pay before seeing anything?
The fee that we charge covers you for the three month appointment service that Flatland offers. You pay for the introduction appointment service that we offer, and the time and assistance that you receive from our helpful consultants. The reason that we charge this in advance is because we do not charge any commission on top of your weekly rental, and we do not manage the properties - that is done directly by the Landlord. Therefore we receive no management fees or Letting commission from the Landlord. Once you take a property, you do not come back to Flatland; you deal with the Landlord directly and pay the Landlord directly.
What does it cost?
The only payment for Flatland is the appointment service fee, which enables you to have appointments for up to three months. We do not charge any finders fees, administration costs or commission in your rent.
For one person looking: £61.50
For two or more: £71.50
Please go to the 'Buy Our Appointment Service' page below for more details.
Which areas do you cover?
With a large selection of properties in central London, we predominantly cover Travel Zones 1 and 2. However we do deal with property further out, and often the further out you go, the more space you get for your money.
How long will it take me to find a property?
How quickly you find something is really dependent on what you like and what you require. It also depends on how much time you have to go to appointments. Most of our properties are available straight away. Depending on what the landlords need, after deciding on a property it is perfectly possible to move in the same day, within a few days or a week depending entirely on what the Landlord requires (eg: references, proof of income,etc). We aim to keep giving as many appointments as we can until you are accommodated.
Why are your properties so cheap?
Because of the way in which Flatland works, we do not charge any commission on top of your weekly rent as an estate agent would. In addition, Flatland has been establishing its contacts since 1971 and has built up great relationships with its Landlords. To see more about how we work please go to the 'Buy Our Appointment Service' page below.
How often can I get appointments? When can I go and see property?
You can have an unlimited amount of appointments for up to three months with the Flatland Appointment Service. Different Landlords will view at various different times depending on their own schedules, but it is possible to view properties in the week, evenings and weekends.
What standard of accommodation should I expect?
London is a very expensive city for accommodation, particularly in Zones 1 and 2. With over 100,000 students arriving every autumn from all over the world, and the UK, the accommodation market can be very competitive at this time of year. A good time to look for accommodation in the £60-£250 per week bracket would be the end of June, when all the students go home for the summer, or finish their courses. September and October are the busiest months to look, and with the demand rents can increase by up to 10%. In June in comparison, they can drop by 10%.
London is rated the third most expensive city in the world and you will not get the same value for money in London that you get in many other countries and major cities. In Australia for example, it would be possible to get a three bedroom home with a garden for £100 - 120 per week. In London, £100 will get you a bedsit, flatshare or a single studio with kitchenette and shower.
When looking for accommodation in central London (Zones 1 and 2) you will need to be realistic with your expectations about what you can get for your budget. If you look in Zones 3 to 6, you will generally get more for your money, as the demand is less.
Do your consultants speak other languages?
We normally have consultants working who speak fluent French and Italian (in addition to English). We sometimes have consultants who speak German, Spanish and Polish.