Family Longstay in Surrey, UK
 

My family of 5 are visiting the UK for 3 months next year. I am trying to find furnished accommodation in/around Epsom or Sutton but not having much like via internet searches such as 'serviced apartments' or 'vacation rentals'. Is a different name given to such accommodation in the UK (i'm from Australia). Any suggestions? I can find plenty of 1-2 bedroom places but ideally we'd like 3 plus space for the kids. We need to be able to get to Chelsea and Sutton easily. Any other suggestions as to where we should stay?

You need to try "short term let" or "holiday let"
"vacation" is rarely used in British English while "serviced" is even less often used though "self catering" might be affective.

Try "holiday cottages" or "self-catering accomodations".

You could try
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/
http://www.findaproperty.com
http://www.primelocation.com
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent
http://www.epsomguardian.co.uk/homes/homes_for_rent/
http://www.suttonguardian.co.uk/homes/homes_for_rent/

I just realised in British English "serviced" is what a daddy cow does to a mummy cow

I think most brits are bright enough to work out what you meant, bilbo, from the context.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but a 3-month rental can be tricky to find. It's too long for a holiday let and too short for a typical short term tenancy (most landlords want a contract for at least 6 months).

We did it once (in Surrey coincidentally enough) for 4 months when we were in the midst of a complicated house sale. I lost count of the number of agencies and estate agenices that refused to deal with us, before coming across a private landlord advertising in a local newspaper who had a small 18th century cottage sitting empty. She was happy to do a 4-month deal with us in return for a higher monthly rental.

In London itself there is no doubt more demand for short term "serviced" accommodation from international business visitors but prices will reflect their corporate budgets.

I was thinking along the lines of Gordon_R's post. Most holiday lets wouldn't be practical for three months. Even if you could find one, there might be only a very small reduction off the usual weekly rates . . . Making for a very expensive 3months.

And 3 months is too short for the typical 'short term' let.

Are you going to be associated w/ any sort of school or program? If so, they might be able to help you w/ suggestions/referrals.

Actually it's quite common to see 'serviced' apartments advertised in major British cities - they are most frequently used by people who are away on business for anything from a week to a few months. But outside cities, not really. You may be able to rent a holiday cottage for that period of time, although as Janis said it will likely be expensive. However, I'd have thought that the best place for easy access to both Chelsea and Sutton would be somewhere in central London ?

dchcom - the agency you found is precisely what I meant by "accommodation from international business visitors but prices will reflect their corporate budgets" - they're charging £120 A DAY which is not far off extended stay hotel prices. At those rates, a 3 month stay will cost a small fortune. Equivalent rates for a normal short term tenancy will be less than half this amount, but the problem is finding a landlord/agency prepared to enter into a 3-month contract (they don't like it because they have the hassle/cost of finding a new tenant on a frequent basis).

Gordon_R: I suspect the agency <u><b>dch</b></u>com found (<b>d</b>iscount <b>c</b>ity <b>h</b>otels.com) is the same one they work for - I think they're trying to rustle-up some business.

"<i>I think they're trying to rustle-up some business.</i>"

yep -- nuked by the powers that be . . .

D'oh!!! I should have guessed. There seem to be more of these people around here than ever before...

You may be able to rent a holiday cottage for that period of time, although as Janis said it will likely be expensive.>>

that's certainly something that would be easy to do in Cornwall - we have had a medium term let in our holiday cottage most winters, usually people in between house-moves.

we have often got them through word of mouth, but you could try the local tourist board for a list of rentals that may be available in the winter.