Academics: Teacher Zone. Accommodation

Long-term Accommodation
Cost and geographical issues are top priorities. If you have a long-term post organised then commuting considerations will define your prospective location. However your accommodation doesn't have to be on the doorstep of your new school. For instance Londoners commute by public transport and living up to an hour's travel from work is quite usual. Having identified your area of choice, cost is likely to be a prime factor. Accommodation will probably represent your major outlay and the location you select will affect this considerably.
Accommodation issues may appear rather overwhelming but Academics will be happy to advise and assist you.

Renting Alternatives:

Bedsits are invariably your cheapest option. These are self-contained rooms with a small cooker and fridge but sharing a bathroom with other tenants. However, as these are a budget option they can be badly maintained and you must make sure that there is a good lock on both the door of your room and also your bathroom.

Flat sharing is a good way to meet people and is generally the most cost-effective way of living in the UK, especially in London. While the accommodation is self-contained it will be shared with other people. Shared areas include the kitchen and bathroom and may include bedrooms. Many flat share situations have a communal space (living/dining room). When considering flat sharing it is important to clarify exactly how the shared space is allocated.

House bills vary depending on how many people you're sharing with and even if the rate you pay is inclusive of bills the telephone is often extra so be careful. Also beware - international calls can be very expensive! Your intended length of stay may also be an issue. Many flat sharing options are relatively flexible but most places will want a commitment of at least 3 months. If you are looking for something on a shorter-term basis you are best off staying at a hostel on a weekly rate. You can also look at short-term lets in classified publications, however rooms for short periods of time are fairly hard to come by.

Individual Flats
There are many studio and one-bedroom flats on offer if you don't fancy sharing, but the prices tend to be prohibitive. If you are looking to set up in your own place rather than flat share try the following website for a listing of all estate agents in the UK, www.londonpropertyguide.co.uk

Moving In / Budgets
Whatever type of accommodation you decide on, it's almost certain that you'll have to pay cash up front, generally you need to provide a month's rent in advance plus a similar amount as a returnable deposit. It is best to budget around £1,000 to cover the rent and deposit outlay plus any extras you will need to cover.

You may be asked to sign a six or 12-month contract. Always read the small print before you sign and make sure you know what your rent covers. Council tax, gas and electricity may or may not be included. You should remember that if the lease is in your name you become responsible for the rent and a leasing contract is very difficult to break if your circumstances change.

Housing law in Britain is complex, but advice can be obtained free of charge from the Citizen's Advice Bureau (www.nacab.org.uk).
What should you expect to pay for accommodation?
Any real estate agent will tell you that its 'location, location, location'. They would be right. The more central you live to London, for example, the more you will pay for places to live. The following is a general guide to costs:
Bed sits start from around £15.00 per night.
Flat Shares are from £80-£120 per week
Individual Flats (One Bed) from £500 per month
The above prices may or may not include other bills, like Water or electricity so it is always important to ask what the rental includes exactly.