Moving to London — your checklist

What moving to London costs

Two numbers worth knowing before you sign anything: the up-front lump sum on move-in day, and the recurring monthly baseline once you're in.

Find a place in London

Median rent here is £1,928/month — use that as a benchmark when comparing listings. Two marketplaces between them carry the great majority of UK rentals: OpenRent for self-listed properties (no admin fee), SpareRoom for rooms and flatshares.

Broadband and energy on day one

Don't inherit the previous tenant's tariff. Switching on move-in day takes 15 minutes and saves the median renter ~£200/year on energy and ~£10/month on broadband. In London, 100% of premises are gigabit-capable per Ofcom 2025.

Removals and storage

Removals quotes for a one-bed flat run £350–£600 within the same city, £600–£1,200 for a longer-distance move. Reverse-auction sites (Shiply) tend to come in 20–30% cheaper than fixed-quote sites if you can be flexible on date.

Insurance, referencing and the legal bits

Renters' contents insurance is cheap (~£5/month) and almost no-one has it — one cleared-out break-in costs more than ten years of premiums. If you're renting through an estate agent, they'll require a tenant-referencing check (~£40); going through Homelet directly keeps it portable across landlords.

Tick these off before / on / after the move

Council tax registration, GP registration, DVLA, electoral roll and TV licence — most of these need doing in the first 30 days.

Schools, transport and what's nearby

The full demographic, schools, transport and economy picture for Londonis on the area guide:

Common questions

What do I need to do when moving to London?

The big-five categories are: find your home (rentals + rooms), set up your home (broadband + energy), sort your finances (renters insurance + deposit), plan your move (removals + storage), and admin (council tax registration, GP registration, DVLA, TV licence). The interactive checklist below walks you through each in order.

How much does moving to London cost up front?

Plan for £4,527–£5,377 on the day you move in: £2,249 deposit (five weeks' rent, the legal cap), £1,928 first-month rent, plus £350–£1,200 for removals depending on distance and volume. Some landlords add a holding deposit (one week's rent) that converts into the security deposit on tenancy start.

What is council tax in London?

The most common council tax band is H. Council tax registers automatically with the local authority once you sign a tenancy or buy.

Is gigabit broadband available in London?

100% of premises are gigabit-capable. Almost any flat will support full-fibre packages from major providers.

What's the deposit cap when renting in London?

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps assured-shorthold deposits at five weeks' rent (six weeks if the annual rent exceeds £50,000). For a property at £1,928/month that's roughly £2,249. Some landlords accept deposit-replacement schemes that take a one-week fee instead of the full lump sum.

How do I register for a GP in London?

You can register online at any GP practice in London's catchment using your new address. Bring proof of address (tenancy agreement / utility bill / bank letter) and ID. Don't wait until you're ill; register on the day you move in.