Bespoke Lets
Short Lets
What is a short let?
A short let is a property which can be let from a few weeks to a few months (subject to local authority restrictions).
You can short let any type of property from a studio to a ten bedroom house.
When renting a property on a short let basis all utility bills are included in the rent (excluding telecommunication services).
Accommodation ideally suitable for:
- London holiday makers (vacations);
- Business people on short business trips;
- London students on short courses;
- London workers on short contracts;
- Temporary accommodation while looking for a permanent home in London;
- Short lets during home renovations;
- Accommodation for friends or relatives.
Everything included
Bring your suitcase and we'll provide the rest including the toothbrush
All our short let properties are furnished to a high standard with appliances and household items such as towels, linen, crockery and electrical goods are supplied.
All you need to purchase are the consumables.
Frequent short let users
A significant number of large companies use short lets as a more cost effective and convenient solution to hotels.
Insurance companies often choose short lets to house their clients, in order to minimise disruption to lives by allowing people to remain in the area.
We also provide short lets for media companies making advertisements or films.
Tenant - what are the benefits of taking a short let?
Flexibility - you have the option to extend your tenancy on a weekly or monthly basis at your landlord's discretion.
Home comforts - the privacy of your own front door, plenty of space and a relaxing environment where you can come and go as you please.
Landlord - why should I let my property on a short let basis?
Flexibility - if you are unsure of your plans and only want to rent for a short amount of time short lets allow you immense flexibility. Short lets can also allow your property to bring in rental income during void periods or whilst securing a long term tenant.
Choice - if you market your property on a short and long let basis you have the option to choose from multiple offers.
Efficiency - if you are going away on holiday or for business, letting your property on a short let basis can be a very efficient way of ensuring your home is occupied as well as bringing in rental income at the same time.
Room Lets
What is a flat share?
A flat share is where two or more people live in a property together. Each person usually has their own bedroom. Where the property is a house the term is usually house share (although flat share is often used for both). More about the types of shared accommodation you might find.
Why share?
Sharing is usually cheaper than renting your own place. If you live in a 1 bed flat you still need a bathroom, kitchen and living room. Effectively by sharing you split the cost of these extra rooms. By sharing it's often possible to live in a better property or in a better area than you could afford otherwise.
In addition to the cost factor sharing can also be a great way to live. The social benefits of sharing can be a real advantage. In a recent survey of Alexander Zain users 59% said that, while the financial benefit is the most important factor, they choose to live in a flat share for both financial and social reasons.
Who will I be sharing with?
All sorts of people use Alexander Zain from young students to parents whose children have moved out and have a room to let. The average age of Alexander Zain’s registered users is 30. Our detailed listing and search facilities allow you to specify all sorts of different criteria to help find the ideal flatmate for you.
Isn't it a bit risky?
As with any form of shared accommodation there are always risks. However, with the listing options available on alexanderzain.com it's easier to narrow down where you want to live and who you want to live with. We also go to great lengths to check listings to filter out any scammers or illegitimate advertisers. We employ real people to check the content of our ads so, while we can't vouch for everyone who uses the site, we can make it as safe as possible to give you peace of mind.
What about lodgers?
The biggest growth sector in sharing at the moment is in people taking in lodgers. As more and more people struggle to afford a mortgage the financial incentives are obvious. From the landlord's point of view it helps to pay the mortgage and, as a lodger, the chances of living in a good property are often increased if it's the landlord's home as well as yours.
Why should I take in a lodger?
The average lodger nowadays is much more financially independent than was the case 30 years ago. Many lodgers are professionals who simply can't afford to buy but want a good standard of accommodation and not just a crash pad. In addition the advent of online listings sites such as Alexander Zain has made it much easier to advertise and search for rooms for rent. With video and photo uploads and the ability to describe the room in detail it takes much of the uncertainty out of finding someone to live with.
Don't forget, under the government's Rent a Room Scheme you can earn up to £4,250 tax free by renting out a room in your house.
