We receive so many enquiries about apartment rentals that I’ve compiled a list, based on TALF users’ input, advice, and experience, of some dos and don’ts when arranging for short-term holiday flat lets in London. For a list of recommended rental companies, please refer to my sticky ‘London Websites for Visitors.’
Dos
DO ask the following questions about the flat:
1. What is the EXACT address, complete with postcode (you can then look up the exact location by postcode on www.streetmap.co.uk)?
2. Is a minimum stay required?
3. Are there discounts for longer stays? Are there discounts for stays of more than 14 days? 28 days? Longer?
4. Is VAT included?
5. What are the cancellation fees?
6. Is there a telephone in the flat? What is the telephone number?
7. Will you provide an inventory list?
8. Are linens and towels provided?
9. What utensils are in the kitchen?
10. What is the bed configuration? Twins? Double? Queen?
11. Does it have a bath and shower? Bath only? Shower only?
12. Is there a television in the flat?
13. Does the flat have air conditioning? Fans?
14. Does the flat have heating? Is it on a timer? How does it operate? Is it on a coin-operated metre and, if so, what coins does it take? Do all the rooms have heating?
15. Is there anything that I need to be aware of regarding electricity? Hot water?
16. Where is the nearest grocery store or supermarket?
17. Does the building have a lift (elevator)?
18. Is daily housekeeping provided? Are there laundry facilities for guests?
19. Are there any cleaning fees?
20. Can you provide the measurements of the flat in square feet or square metres? Can you provide images of the layout?
21. Have there ever been problems with noisy neighbours?
22. Is Reception staffed 24 hours?
23. What time can I check in?
24. What time must we check out?
DO be aware of Scotland Yard’s description of how fraudsters operate, and watch out for telephone numbers starting with (0)70:
“Whilst it appears that 'the fraudsters' are in London/UK they rarely are. They use the veneer of London/UK to add kudos to their Scams. The fraudsters use technology to hide their true whereabouts and identity. All information they have provided about themselves will likely be false.
Payment systems such as Western Union are used because it means there is no fixed location for the individual, and the money can/will be collected anywhere in the world using false identification. Even if the money is collected in the UK, it will be sent out again within minutes. The large number of Western Union / Money Gram outlets causes a problem. There are over a thousand in London alone.
The telephone numbers used are normally Platform numbers (Number starting with 070 or from international calls 004470) These numbers are set up via the Internet with various providers and unfortunately can be answered, again, anywhere in the world. The details given re setting up these account are, of course, again false."
DO ascertain the rental terms. If a deposit is paid, can the rest be paid upon arrival (frequent TALF flat-renters insist on this option)? Or is full payment required in advance?
Similarly, DO note that cancellation fees and payment fees may vary from listing to listing, rather than agency to agency. Ensure that you know the relevant fees for each flat that you’re considering.
DO ask whether the landlord is a member of the British Tourist Authority, and what their rating is. If they're not affiliated with the BTA, ask for American references (or references local to you) that you can contact personally to verify authenticity.
DO confirm with the agency that you will not be given a ‘substitute’ flat if the place you rent is double-booked (prevents ‘bait and switch’).
DO try to acquire a range of RECENT photographs of the flat, preferably showing the house number as part of the montage. Ask how recent the photos are.
DO look at those photographs critically. Note the condition and quality of furniture. Remember that they will be putting photos of their best accommodations on the web.
DO read the description carefully. Does it give a full idea of what is included in the apartment? For example, is there a full kitchen with oven, cooker, and full-sized fridge, or a kitchenette with no oven and a couple of hotplates?
DO ask for instructions to be left for the appliances, especially washer/dryer units and ovens.
DO try to talk to the owner by phone beforehand.
DO ensure that there's a local contact, and that you have their name, phone number, and address. (TALF regular Britfan notes, “Sometimes operating instructions are unintelligible, and sometimes you just need to have somebody show you how to turn the heat on, turn the heat down, turn on the water heater, find the water heater, open the window, open the door of the washing machine, bring the towels that were promised and paid for, deal with a break in the water line, etc.”).
DO make sure you know how far the flat is to convenient public transport. If you are booking outside of London and will have a car, ensure that parking is available.
DO take out travel insurance for any prepaid expenses (e.g. apartment rent or deposit).
DO read the fine print BEFORE you verbally confirm. Some companies hold you to verbal commitments.
DO have a look at the FAQs that Scala House has published on their website for queries that may not be listed above: http://www.scala-house.co.uk/faq.html
Don’ts
DON’T expect anything better than what you see in the photographs.
DON’T forget to include the cost of payment to the owner/agency into your overall budget. If the agency requires money to be wired to them, then the cost of an inter-bank wire needs to be figured into your budget.