Flatsharing in London is often a no-brainer – it’s not only a way to share living costs but also provides a great opportunity for meeting new people. This being all the more important if you’re a student, or a young professional new to London. This guide can help if you’re unsure about how flatsharing works, the benefits of it, or how to go about finding a flatshare.
Top Tips for Finding Flatmates/A Flatshare in London
Before breaking down the key considerations to make when looking for a flatshare – here are a few top tips for finding the right flatmates/flatshare in London:
- Use trusted platforms to find housemates: Reputable websites and social media groups can help you to find flatmates and you can review profiles and their preferences.
- Meet in person: Arrange to meet in person with your potential flatmates before deciding to move in. However, make sure to keep yourself safe and meet somewhere busy with other people around.
- Set a realistic budget: Agree on a budget that works for everyone to avoid financial stress further down the line.
- Have open communication and set expectations: Discuss your lifestyle preferences with each other to ensure your compatibility and to make sure everyone is on the same page before moving in.
- Visit the property together: If possible, visit the flat together to see if it suits everyone's needs and expectations. This ensures everyone is happy and comfortable with the place they will be moving in to and avoids potential issues later.
- Consider location: If you’re needing to commute into an office, you’ll need to agree on a location that suits you and your new flatmates. Along with commute time, consider proximity to necessities, amenities and social spots.
Living with the right flatmate is essential to a positive home experience, but finding the right people can be a daunting task. Consider talking to your friends, they might know someone else looking for a flatmate. Or find a speed flatmating event so you can meet potential new sharers in person.
What to Consider When Finding Flatmates
Let’s be honest, we all think we’re easy to live with. But we all live better with certain people than others. That’s why it’s so important to think carefully before you sign a tenancy agreement.
One of the first considerations is deciding how many people you’re comfortable living with. Do you prefer a quieter living dynamic with one or two flatmates, or do you like a busier home? Think about your lifestyle, need for personal space, and how social spaces might be used.
It’s also important to factor in your budget. More flatmates can significantly reduce your share of the rent and utilities, making living more affordable. Balancing your social preferences, spatial needs, and budget will help you find the ideal number of flatmates.
Furthermore, consider your lifestyle and how it might blend with someone else's. For example, if you’re a night owl, finding a flatmate with a similar sleep schedule may be best so no one is kept awake when they’d rather be asleep.
Getting to know a person’s habits and interests can help you decide whether you’d be compatible flatmates early on. Be honest about your habits and discuss them with each other. If you have a strict cleaning routine, make sure your flatmate is okay with it. If you're a smoker or have pets, make sure you find a flatmate who is comfortable with these things, and vice versa.
While you don't need to share all the same interests as your flatmate, finding someone with whom you have some common ground can make living together more enjoyable. Consider looking for someone with similar hobbies or interests, like a love of food, sports, or music—things you can easily enjoy within 15 minutes of the Quintain Living apartments.
By keeping these considerations in mind, finding a compatible flatmate that can help with a happy and peaceful living experience should be made a little easier.
The Importance of Location
With a variety of places to live in London, it’s important to consider how the location fits with the lifestyle, daily commute, and budget of you and your flatmates. Although the number of options can feel overwhelming, it's important to think about what matters most to you. Whether that’s:
- proximity to work
- transport links
- local things to do
- places to eat and drink
- essential services and amenities
Taking the time to find a location that suits everyone's needs is key, and Wembley Park could be the perfect place for you. With its excellent transport connections, vibrant community, and abundance of amenities, it offers everything you need to create an enjoyable living experience for everyone in your flatshare.
Social Life
When living with flatmates in London, it's important to consider your social life, and how the area you live in affects this as it may influence how you and your housemates spend time together. Are you looking for somewhere lively, busy, and with lots of things to do? It would be good to find a flatmate with those similar wants and needs. Finding a space that suits everyone will help create an enjoyable home environment. We’re biased but we think Wembley Park is a great place to live with your flatmates. It has everything you need—with over 50 places to eat and drink, including the latest Boxpark with 20+ global street food traders, to open green spaces like Union Park, and sports venues like Wembley Padel and Atlantic Tennis Courts.
With plenty of things to do right on your doorstep, you'll never run out of ways to spend time with your flatmates—whether it's catching a live event, grabbing a bite to eat, shopping at London Designer Outlet, or exploring the areas parks.
Commuting
When trying to find flatmates and picking the right area for your flatshare in London, you will have to take into consideration commuting and work commitments as this will vary for everyone. Choosing a location with convenient transport links can make daily life much easier for everyone in your flatshare. What’s great about London is its transport services, with an excellent tube, bus and train network making most areas of London accessible – opening up your search for the right flatshare.
At Quintain Living, you can reach Central London in as little as 15 minutes, making it an ideal choice for those who want a quick and easy commute whilst also experiencing the benefits of living away from the hustle and bustle of inner-city life. Wembley Park has great connections, being located on both the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines, plus National Rail services, so you and your flatmates can easily get around the city and explore all London has to offer.
Budget
Rent prices vary across London, so aligning your budget with the right location can make all the difference in finding a home that works for everyone. Finding flatmates with a similar budget to yours is also essential to finding a stress-free living arrangement. At Quintain Living, your rent covers more than just your living space—it comes with a host of amazing perks. Enjoy lush gardens, stunning roof terraces, dedicated work-from-home areas, and fully equipped gyms, all exclusive to our residents.
How to Find a Flatmate – Flatshare Sites
If you’re wondering how to find a flatmate, using flatshare sites like SpareRoom and Ideal Flatmate can be incredibly helpful as they list 1000’s of potential flatshares.
If you already have a flat, a spare room and are looking for flatmates, listing your room on flatshare sites like these is also a great way to get more eyes on it — reaching a bigger pool of potential flatmates means you're more likely to find someone who’s a good fit for your lifestyle.
- Spareroom is one of the largest, most popular flatshare sites. With thousands of listings, you can easily filter search results based on criteria (such as location and move-in date) to find the type of flat, and flatmates you’re looking for.
- Ideal Flatmate is a website that connects potential flatmates based on their personality, preferences, and lifestyle using a compatibility matching algorithm. This can be a great option if you’re worried about living with new people and want a bit more peace of mind knowing you’re likely to align on lifestyle and living preferences.
- MatesPlace is a Facebook group that connects potential flatmates in London. It has a large and active community that can list rooms for rent, and allows you to chat directly with potential flatmates, so you can start getting to know them right away. There are hundreds of groups on Facebook for helping people find flats and flatmates, other popular Facebook groups include London House/Flat/Spare Room for Rent and Gals Who Rent.
Flatsharing with Quintain Living
We understand the challenges of finding the right flatmates and flatsharing set-up. Renting one of our apartments in Wembley Park is ideal for those looking to live in a thriving London neighbourhood, whilst also enjoying the benefits of a contemporary home with like-minded individuals. Our apartments are designed with your comfort in mind, featuring high-speed Wi-Fi, contemporary furnishings and plenty of storage space for you and your roommate to share. Similarly, your utilities - your water, gas and electricity - are all set up for you and ready to go.
Get in touch to find out more about renting with us and book your viewing today.
Living in Wembley – Things to Do with Your Flatmates
Once you’ve found your flatmates, it's time to start getting to know each other and what better way than exploring your new local area. At Quintain Living, we believe in creating communities where our residents can socialise, relax and have fun. Our 15-minute neighbourhood provides residents with easy access to a wide range of amenities and activities just beyond their doorstep. Visit Boxpark together, go to the cinema or grab some food - whatever floats your boat!
We believe that a positive living experience is not just about finding the right flatmate but also about creating a vibrant community that fosters a sense of belonging. We’ve created open communal spaces, such as landscaped gardens, rooftop hangouts and communal lounges where our residents, many of them students and young professionals, can come together and meet new people. For those who fancy venturing further afield, our proximity to London makes it easy to explore the city and spend a day out with your flatmates.
As you embark on the exciting journey of finding a flatmate to share your stylish apartment with, keep these helpful tips close at hand. Our range of flexible, fully furnished/unfurnished apartments are designed with flat sharing in mind, making it easy for you to settle in and connect with your flatmates. Explore our buildings to learn more about our apartments and find the perfect home for you and your new flatmate.
[AT1]Based on feedback: removed ‘so that you can enjoy all the city has to offer’
[AT2]Based on feedback: more examples added, please do add any others you know of and believe more relevant
