Orientation

Before we look for properties, many clients like to do an orientation of the parts of London that are of interest to them to get a “feel” for the area as well as check the local amenities, schools and transport options, before they relocate.

We can also introduce you to areas that you may have not, as yet, considered.

We also arrange to view a selection of properties in each area that meet your criteria.

GETTING TO KNOW LONDON:

“The streets of London have their map, but our passions are uncharted. What are you going to meet if you turn this corner?”– Virginia Woolf

When providing our relocation services, we set up an initial complimentary call to discuss your needs.  It is really important to listen to what you, the client, is looking for and to discuss your options.

It is all about getting to know you and your situation and to be able to find the best solution for you and your family in your new life in London, be that a home and/or schools for your children.

We will explain how the rental market works in London and take you through each step of the process. Many clients have been to London many times and some have actually lived here before but not recently.

Like most cities, London changes over time and presents many more popular residential areas with great transport links than in earlier years. For example, see this report on the impact of the new Crossrail trains.

Listening to your needs and wants helps us to help you to find you the best that London has to offer. As relocation agents, our service doesn’t necessarily stop once you’re settled into your new home. We can help you with any questions, actions, or form filling before, during and after your London relocation. See our expertise here.

For each service, there is a 50% non-refundable retainer fee paid before service commences.

Please note:  We do not receive any fees from letting or sales agents, landlords or schools for our services.  Our sole fee is paid by the client.

Back to property:

Rent a property

We help clients find properties to rent across London and surrounding areas, in Berkshire and Surrey, for example.

Many of our clients are relocating to London from overseas for work purposes and some from other parts of the UK and don’t “ know” London or how the rental property market works here. So, they may prefer to rent before buying a property in London.

RENTING A PROPERTY IN LONDON:

“Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” – Samuel Johnson

After our initial complimentary call to discuss your needs, the below outlines what is involved in finding a property to rent in London.

Some clients have also benefitted from orientation and getting to know London to help identify their favourite parts of London.

Accompanied Home Tour
Having discussed your home needs in detail and identifying your preferred area(s), we will confirm in writing your search criteria and send your search out to our network of trusted agents and landlords.

From the properties returned, we will forward you the properties that most closely fit your criteria for you to pre-select to view.

On a 1-day accompanied home tour, we aim to see up to 10 properties in one day. 

Negotiating the offer: We will help you with the terms of your offer and negotiate on your behalf until the offer is agreed in writing by both you, the client, and the landlord.

Remote Home Tour
Increasingly in 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic, many clients relocating to London have found their home remotely via live video viewings . The process is the same as a face-to-face Home Tour apart from the viewing is done over WhatsApp or FaceTime.

Any questions you may have about the property can be answered at that time by myself or the agent.

Many agents have also prepared videos of each property in addition to the on-line brochures so that clients can view the property before the live viewing.
This helps to filter out properties that would be unsuitable.

Checking the AST
The Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is the tenancy agreement.
Once signed, it is legally binding, with no cooling-off period, so it is important to ensure that all terms are clear and correct before signing.

Depending on the needs of the client and the number of areas they are interested in, additional home tour days are needed.

Settling-in services
Once your tenancy has started, you will need to set up your utilities, council tax and various other services.
We can support you in registering for all services and utilities.

End of Tenancy support
At the end of your tenancy you may need support in giving legal notice, moving your goods, the end-of-tenancy professional clean, closing your utilities accounts and check-out inventory as well as the full return of your damage deposit.

“A person who is tired of London is not necessarily tired of life; it might be that he just can’t find a parking place.”– Paul Theroux

For each service, there is a 50% non-refundable retainer fee paid before service commences.
Please note: We do not receive any fees from letting or sales agents, landlords or schools for our services. Our sole fee is paid by the client.

Back to property:

Buying a property

London remains a prime destination to buy property. Our clients buy homes in London for many reasons:  somewhere to live, a long-term investment, a rental property or somewhere for their child to live whilst studying in London. 

We support you from finding the property through to exchange and completion.

BUYING A PROPERTY IN LONDON:

“London is a roost for every bird.” – Benjamin Disraeli

Buying a property in London is still considered one of the best long-term investments you can make.
Clients buy property in London for various reasons: a home for themselves, a home for their child whilst at university, a buy-to-let investment and a myriad of other reasons.

Property in London is not cheap!

However, there are many up-and-coming areas that are affordable or in fact, areas that traditionally have been very expensive but as London grows have become more affordable. Part of our London property finding service to you is to be aware of all these current and future changes and help to match your needs with the best options available.

Off-market properties:
Many owners prefer not to have their property advertised and list the property as off-market. Having a property agent work on your behalf helps you to access these off-market properties due to our trusted relationship built-up over many years. There are also owners of properties who don’t list their property – on- or off-market - but are open to selling if the opportunity presents itself.

First steps:
Once you have decided on your criteria, areas and budget, we will start the London property search on your behalf.
We will contact the key sales agents, property agents and in many cases owners to discuss what you are looking for.
We will send any suitable properties to you via email along with all relevant details, e.g. leasehold or freehold, length of lease, services charges, ground rent, etc. If a client has already identified properties of interest themselves, We will contact the agent on their behalf and arrange to view the property either with the client or as a live video tour.

Compared to finding a property to rent in London, the property buying service can take weeks, if not months, to find the “right” property.

Viewing properties:
Depending on where you are based, we can view together in person or via video in real-time.

Negotiating the offer: We work on your behalf to negotiate your offer with the agent or seller until both sides have agreed in writing.

At that point, solicitors are instructed by both you, the buyer and the seller to progress the sale of the property until the exchange, and completion, of contracts.

Fee:
The full fee comes in two parts: a non-refundable property search fee plus a success fee.

Success fee:
Upon the buyer (the Client) and the Seller solicitors’ being instructed, a success fee of 1% of the agreed purchase price is due.

** Any property search fees paid will be deducted from the success fee.

“A purchaser is a “ready, willing and able” purchaser if he is prepared and is able to exchange unconditional contracts for the purchase of your property. You will be liable to pay remuneration to us, in additional to any other costs or charges agreed, if such a purchaser is introduced by us in accordance with your instructions and this must be paid even if you subsequently withdraw and unconditional contracts for sale are not exchanged, irrespective of your reasons.”

Source: Regulation 5 and the Schedule of the Estate Agents (Provision of Information) Regulations 1991.

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