Renting in London can be a daunting prospect if you are new to the area, but if you approach it systematically then the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Living in London is an amazing opportunity, there is so much to do and even if you are living on a very strict budget it is still possible to go out every night of the week.

Finding a flat to rent in London can turn into a lengthy process if you do not follow a structured and well thought out plan.

First things first, decide which area of ​​London you would like to rent your flat in. Remember, living further out of London, sometimes in zone three, will work out much cheaper. Is it important to live near a tube station, or are overland or bus routes more appropriate for getting about?

Plan your budget carefully – work out all of your outgoings including expected bills to help you decide your price range. Renting a flat in London works out a lot cheaper if you share with flatmates.

There are a number of websites that are dedicated to helping you find a flat to rent in London, or flatmates if you need people to live with. Consider attending a speed flatmate finding evening (a little like speed dating but to find a flatmate rather than a boyfriend).

When you know what you are looking for in your London flat, start the search. Be prepared to visit a lot of different flats in London, and make sure you have the deposit ready as you will need to move quickly when you find the flat you want to rent. Set aside weekends and line up a series of views with an estate agent. Be firm about what you can afford and try and negotiate the cost down if you can.