Cheap rentals exist, but they stay listed for a very short time. People who find good prices are rarely lucky: they have a method. This guide sums up where to look and how to organise yourself to get there before everyone else.
Where cheap flats appear
- Property portals, with alerts set by area and maximum price.
- Neighbourhood estate agents, who often have flats not listed online.
- Signs in doorways and shops, still common in mid-sized cities.
- Local groups and notice boards at universities or companies.
Daily routine
Spend ten minutes in the morning and ten in the evening going through your alerts. Reply to listings with a short message that says who you are, your income and your move-in date. Keep your documents in a single PDF ready to send.
Warning signs
Never pay to view a flat or transfer money to a landlord who says they are abroad. Always ask for a written contract and a land registry extract proving ownership.
