need One year lease for London
 

My sister will be attending the London School of Economics. She didn't get housing. We need to find a nice apartment near the school at a reasonable price. Everything seems to be outrageous at 400+ pounds per week!! Does anyone have any info on leasing an apartment a flat for a 22 year old starting in late Sept. 2002 for one year? Please respond here or email me at [email protected]. Thanks!!

If she wants something reasonable you sister will have to share. Even so, it won't be cheap. I paid £60 per week for one room. Has she been in touch with the students' union or the student welfare officer at LSE? They should be able to help. BTW, you'd find it hard to get a one year lease. I've shared flats and the usual lease is six months.

My sister also graduated from the London School of Economics. She boarded with a family for the year, and got a very reasonable rate. But, I need to clarify that she got her Masters Degree there 15 years ago. I'd also contact LSE's housing department and ask about boarding. That way, you won't have to worry about furnishing a flat.

check out Loot. it has all sorts of housing options - overwhelming, actually.

Students in London do not rent flats on their own because rents are astronomical. They either share w/ several others or they "bed sit". A bed sit is where you have a private bedroom but shared kitchen facilities and baths.<BR><BR>the best bet is what others have suggested - contact the LSE student housing office for referrals for shared accomodations.

My sister called the LSE office regarding alternative housing. They told her she was asking too many questions and should find some people that have lived in London and get info from them. Can you believe this??? They suggested that she should be able to find a place within walking distance for about 125 pounds a week. Does anyone have any friends who associates that know of any group of girls that are living together in the area and need another roommate? Or does anyone know anyone who can help find a small studio in a safe place??

their estimate of &pound;125 a week is probably for several sharing. And even a studio will be expensive and are often set up for 2 or 3 to share.<BR><BR>I would look for a website for LSE students or Loot as Londoner suggests. Also do a web search for sites using terms such as: London, estate agents short/long lets, etc.

Jamilla, check out this site and look under student housing. It is categorized by area, and might be helpful for your sister. Also go to a search engine and type in "London shared housing" or "London student housing" and see what other web sites are available.<BR><BR>I can't vouch for any of them, but there is information. Here's the web site that I found for you: http://www.housingnet.co.uk

Thanks for all the advice! What neighborhood would you say LSE is in? Would it be london-East?

LSE is off the Aldwych, right in the heart of Central London (W1). Housing there is minimal and astronomical. Look in West London (District Line to Embankment or Picadily to Covent Garden) or North London (Northern Line, Bakerloo etc). Most areas further out of the centre are cheaper (depending on area) and greener. You could try South or East but I don't like them (personally) and the transport links into town aren't as good

East Putney? I used to live there.<BR><BR>But when I went to LSE I lived in Enfield!<BR><BR>Doug

It will be expensive, so she should bear that in mind and simply live with it. <BR>Why not see if she can be put on a wait-list for University housing in case someone drops out? Does the Univ. newspaper have a website she can browse for small ads? <BR>Look at Loot, a listing magazine. Time Out magazine, which has a website, might be able to help. <BR><BR>Tell her to be scrupulous about deposits and contracts. Landlords often rip students off. I think it is a worldwide malady. <BR><BR>If she can get a job before she comes and have plenty of $$ behind her, so much the better. Students can get discounts on travel, food and drink etc, but London will be expensive. It does have lots of upsides, too.