How to Find Short-Term Accommodation in the UK… Before You Move!
The time has come for you to start planning where you’ll stay when you first arrive in the UK – how very exciting! In this blog, we’ll be looking at how to find and organise short-term accommodation in the UK before you arrive.
When you first arrive in the UK, there’ll be a lot to organise which will take up a lot of your time and energy – the last thing you’ll need is additional stress from worrying about accommodation! Instead, booking short term accommodation before you arrive can be a more efficient and hassle-free way to ensure you have somewhere to stay when you reach the UK.
It’s important to note, that you should have accommodation booked for when you arrive in the UK as it isn’t possible to secure long-term accommodation before you are physically in the UK.
What are my short term accommodation options?
Friends/Family
More often than not, you may know a friend, family member or old colleague that has relocated to the UK and will kindly let you stay with them. This is the ideal type of accommodation option for when you first arrive as not only will it mostly likely be free, but the host will also provide a welcoming and comfortable base allowing you to relax after a long flight.
Staying with friends or family is also a good way to become acclimatised with the basics of British life; including getting to know your surroundings, essential services and simply not being overwhelmed by the experience.
Hotel
However, if you don’t know anyone in the UK or perhaps you would prefer your own place to stay – the UK has over 45,000 hotels and so, you will have plenty of choice! The advantage of staying in a hotel is that most will provide you with access to 24-hour reception and room service, security, Wi-Fi access, on-site restaurants and buffets.
If you’re looking to book a hotel for your short-term accommodation, there are a number of travel/booking agents available – just hit the links below to take a look:
Tips for when you are making your hotel booking:
- Check the exact location of the hotel, how far it is from the airport and what transport you will use to get there
- Check the cost of breakfast
- Check to see if Wi-Fi is free
- Check the cancellation period/fee
- Check to see if there is a coupon code
- Check other people’s reviews, experiences and insights
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Studios, Apartment or Houses
If you’re travelling to the UK with your family, then a hotel might not be the best option for you as you’ll need more space. In the UK, it’s possible to book short-term accommodation rentals such as studios, apartments and houses for 1-3 months. You should note that prices will generally be cheaper than a hotel, but more expensive than a long-term rental.
There’s a good selection of travel/booking agents available if you’d prefer renting a lace to stay – just hit the links below to take a look.
Remember: always check your dates and cancellation policy before booking short-term accommodation in the UK!
Hospital Accommodation
If you’re going to be working at a hospital here in the UK, you may have been able to secure hospital accommodation which will be paid monthly via your salary. This type of rent will typically include your electricity, gas, water, council tax and TV licence which will save you time and effort when setting them up.
There may be some exceptions to the bills you pay, so make sure you check the property description before you sign.
One benefit of hospital accommodation is that rooms or houses typically come fully furnished with basic kitchen equipment. However, you should note that it can be extremely difficult to obtain hospital accommodation as it’s a popular choice and rarely available for medical staff with families – which means you’ll need to rent somewhere long-term.
Have any questions about securing short term accommodation in the UK? We have a team of specialists who can assist you with any queries you may have! Just give us a call on 01908 552 820 and we’ll be delighted to help.
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- Securing an NHS post
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