Forum › › How to Find a Flatmate in London: Apps, Facebook Groups and Red Flags

How to Find a Flatmate in London: Apps, Facebook Groups and Red Flags

Started by LiamLondon · 12 août 2025 · 8 replies · 📖 Read as Guide
L
LiamLondon
International student, UCL
Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 59
12 août 2025 #1
Moving to London next month for my masters and the flatmate search has been brutal. Spent two weeks on SpareRoom and Facebook groups and learned a LOT about what works and what is a scam. Sharing everything here because I wish someone had told me this before I started.
↵ Quote ↩ Reply ♡ Like ⚑ Report
O
OliviaOxford
Masters student, Oxford Brookes
Joined: Jun 2024Posts: 161
August 14, 2025#2
The SpareRoom Early Bird tip is real. I was getting zero responses on the free tier and the moment I upgraded I started getting viewings within hours. Twelve quid well spent.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
B
BackpackerJake
Gap year traveller
Joined: Jul 2019Posts: 22
August 16, 2025#3
Got burned by a Facebook scam last year. Beautiful flat in Shoreditch at 600 a month, wanted a 600 deposit via bank transfer before viewing. Classic setup. Reverse image searched the photos and they were from an Airbnb listing in Berlin.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
E
EmmaManchester
Postgrad, King's College London
Joined: Jul 2019Posts: 78
August 18, 2025#4
Zone 3 is genuinely underrated. I pay 680 in Lewisham, 15 minutes to London Bridge on the train, and the flat is twice the size of anything I could afford in zone 1. The commute trade-off is worth it.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
S
SarahStudiesAbroad
Exchange student, LSE
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 169
August 21, 2025#5
Can confirm the deposit protection thing is serious. My previous landlord did not register my deposit and when I challenged them they returned the full amount plus compensation. Know your rights.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
A
AidanDublin
Irish student, SOAS
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 201
August 24, 2025#6
One thing I would add: visit the flat at night before signing anything. My first London room seemed perfect during the daytime viewing but had a pub directly below that was loud until 1am every Friday and Saturday. Would never have known from a Tuesday afternoon visit.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
N
NatalieVancouver
Canadian exchange, Imperial
Joined: Apr 2022Posts: 111
August 27, 2025#7
The bills-included vs bills-excluded point is huge. My first room was 550 but bills added another 160. My current room is 700 all-in and I actually pay less overall. Always do the full math.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
M
MikeFromMichigan
Semester abroad, UCL
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 33
August 30, 2025#8
As an American this whole process was culture shock. No Craigslist, no Zillow, completely different platforms. SpareRoom is the answer. Took me a week of confusion before someone told me.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
L
LiamLondon
International student, UCL
Joined: Oct 2022Posts: 21
September 02, 2025#9
Thanks for all the responses! To everyone asking about guarantors: if you do not have a UK-based guarantor, some landlords accept a larger deposit (usually 6 months rent upfront) or you can use a guarantor service like Housing Hand. It costs a fee but solves the problem.
↵ Quote↩ Reply♡ Like⚑ Report
Reply to this topic

You must register or login to post a reply.