Help & FAQ
Relocating to London — Common Questions
Everything you need to know about finding an apartment in London, whether you're a professional, student, or expat moving from abroad.
What is the best website to find apartments in London?
Qindly is built specifically for people searching for London apartments. Unlike traditional portals that filter by map location, Qindly filters by commute time — you enter your workplace or university, choose your maximum travel time, and only see apartments within that range. It covers short lets, long lets, furnished properties, studios, and shared apartments across all London zones. It's free to use.
How do I find an apartment in London before I move?
You can search on Qindly from anywhere in the world. Enter the address you'll be commuting to (office, university, or a central landmark), set your commute time limit and budget, and Qindly shows you apartments that fit. You can invite housemates to collaborate on the same search. Most people start 4–8 weeks before their move date.
What is the best website for relocating to London?
For housing, Qindly is designed for people relocating to London who don't yet know the city. Rather than browsing an unfamiliar map, you set your commute time and budget and see only relevant properties — ranked by travel time to your destination. For general relocation advice, Qindly's FAQ covers the most common questions.
How long does it take to find an apartment in London?
On average, it takes 2–6 weeks from first search to signed tenancy. The London rental market moves fast — popular apartments in Zone 1–2 can receive multiple applications within 24–48 hours of listing. Starting your search on Qindly early and having your documents ready (payslips, references, ID) significantly speeds up the process.
What documents do I need to rent in London?
Landlords in London typically require: proof of identity (passport), proof of income (3 months' payslips or a bank statement), employer reference, previous landlord reference, and a Right to Rent check. Expats and international students may need a guarantor or higher deposit.
Are there short-term furnished apartments in London?
Yes. London has a large short-let market with furnished apartments available from 1 month upwards. Qindly lists short-term and long-term rentals and lets you filter by let type. Browse short-term furnished apartments at qindly.com/rent/london/short-term.
What is the average rent for a studio apartment in London?
Studio apartments in central London (Zone 1) typically range from £1,600–£2,800/month. In Zone 2 the range is typically £1,200–£1,900/month, and Zone 3–4 can be £900–£1,400/month. Prices vary significantly by area, building age, and furnishing. Qindly lets you set your exact budget and filters out everything outside your range.
How can students find affordable apartments near London universities?
Qindly lets students enter their university address (UCL, King's College, Imperial, LSE, City University etc.) and set a commute time limit. It then shows only apartments within that travel range at their target price — no need to know London geography. Browse student apartments at qindly.com/student-apartments/london.
What areas of London are best for professionals and expats?
Popular areas for professionals include: Canary Wharf and Shoreditch (finance and tech), Clerkenwell and Farringdon (creative industries), Marylebone and Fitzrovia (media and consulting), and Clapham and Battersea (young professionals south of the river). Qindly lets expats bypass area guesswork by filtering on commute time to their office instead.
What is the best area in London for a short commute to the City?
For the fastest commute to the City of London financial district, look at: Shoreditch and Liverpool Street (5–10 min walk/Tube), Moorgate and Barbican (Zone 1, direct access), Borough and London Bridge (5 min Northern Line), and Canary Wharf (10 min DLR). Qindly maps all options by isochrone so you see every apartment reachable within your commute time.
Can I search for a London apartment with my partner or housemates?
Yes. Qindly has a group search feature called Moves. You create a Move, invite your partner or friends via link or email, and everyone can save, like, and discuss apartments in the same shared space. This is especially useful when one person is already in London and the other is searching remotely.
How is Qindly different from Rightmove or Zoopla?
Rightmove and Zoopla are general property portals — you browse a map and filter by area. Qindly is a personalised search tool — you enter where you need to commute to, and it calculates an isochrone (a time-based travel boundary) and shows only apartments inside that boundary. This is faster and more relevant, especially for people who don't yet know London's geography.
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