London Other Types Of Accommodations

Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) lodgings are usually cheaper than a hotel but more expensive than a hostel. Not all locations offer lodging. Many YMCAs accept women and families; some will not lodge those under 18 without parental permission.

World Alliance of YMCAs, 12 Clos Belmont, 1208 Geneva, Switzerland (☎+41 22 849 5100; www.ymca.int). Maintains listings of Ys worldwide. 9 listings in London, many of which offer accommodations.

Hotels, Guesthouses, And Pensions

Hotel singles in London cost about £44 (US$80) per night, doubles £61 (US$110). You’ll typically share a hall bathroom; a private bathroom will cost extra, as may hot showers. Some hotels offer “full pension” (all meals) and “half pension” (no lunch). Smaller guesthouses and pensions are often cheaper than hotels. If you make reservations in writing, indicate your night of arrival and the number of nights you plan to stay. The hotel will send you a confirmation and may request payment for the first night. It is often easiest to make reservations over the phone or on the Internet with a credit card.

University Dorms

Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some do so even during term time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low, and many offer free local calls and Internet access.

City University Finsbury Residences,
IES Chelsea Pointe,
King’s College Conference and Vacation Bureau (☎7848 1700; www.kcl.ac.uk). Accommodations in the halls of King’s College, mostly located on the South Bank. Rooms available July to mid-Sept.
London School of Economics (☎7955 7575; www.lse.ac.uk/collections/vacations). Central information site for 6 halls throughout central London. Most halls have rooms available July to mid-Sept.; some available year-round.See p. for information on their largest hall, the LSE Bankside House.
Rosebery Hall, see p.
University College London Residential Services (www.ucl.ac.uk/residences). Website contains description and contact information for 8 halls, mostly around Bloomsbury. Rooms available Apr. and mid-June to mid-Sept.
University of London Accommodations Office, Senate House, Room B, Malet St. (☎7862 8880; www.housing.lon.ac.uk). Russell Sq. Keeps a list of summer room and apartment vacancies. See “Hall Vacation List” on website for list of residence halls to contact directly. In-person services available only during vacations to students with valid IDs. Calls answered M and W-F 10am-5pm, Tu 11am-5pm.
University of Westminster (☎7911 5000; www.wmin.ac.uk/comserv). 7 halls throughout central London. Rooms available mid-June to mid-Sept. Singles from £20. See p.

Home Exchanges And Hospitality Clubs

Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases), plus the opportunity to live like a native and cut down on accommodation fees. For more information, contact HomeExchange.com, P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com), or Intervac International Home Exchange (www.intervac.com).

Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small membership fee may also be required. GlobalFreeloaders.com (www.globalfreeloaders.com) and The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) are good places to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is a more formal, established peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with someone you do not know.

Long-Term Accommodations

Travelers planning to stay in London for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent a flat. Rents range drastically, depending on where you are in the city (central London is much more expensive than North, South, East, and West London). When deciding how much you can afford, don’t forget to figure in transportation costs. If you work in central London but live in the suburbs, transportation could add £30-50 to your monthly expenses. The best way to find a flat is to search the web: Gum Tree (www.gumtree.com), craigslist (www.london.craigslist.org), Move Flat (www.moveflat.com), Loot (www.loot.com; also available in print). UK Flatshare (www.flatshare.com/uk-flat-share) has an extensive listing of available apartments and rooms for sublet.

Local taxes are a factor that shouldn’t be ignored when choosing a place to live. In England, council tax is levied on each “dwelling,” with the amount owed being set by the local council and dependent on the market price of the dwelling. In rented flats the tenant is generally liable to pay the tax, though if the landlord lives on the premises, he or she is normally liable. If everyone in the dwelling is a full-time student or earns less than a certain amount, it may be exempt from council tax; this exemption must be applied for. If your dwelling is liable for council tax, expect to pay around £600 per year for a small flat.

All tenants have certain rights. For example, the landlord has certain responsibilities for keeping the accommodation in habitable condition and paying for necessary repairs; it’s also illegal for landlords to threaten or harass tenants. Note that terms set out in the tenancy agreement cannot override rights laid out by law. Oral agreements have the force of law but are hard to enforce; it’s best to get a signed document.

Accommodation Agencies

Accommodation Outlet, 32 Old Compton St. (☎7287 4244; www.outlet.co.uk). Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Sq. Organizes short- and long-term vacation accommodations in Soho and Covent Garden. Double bedrooms from £40, with private bath £70. Studio apartments from £75 per night, 1-bedroom from £100, 2-bedroom from £120, 3-bedroom from £150. Office open M-F 10am-6pm, Sa noon-5pm. Up to 30% discount for long stays. AmEx/MC/V.