Hello,

I'm a Biology PhD student starting at Barts and the London in October 2011. I was wondering if anyone can share their experiences with looking for accommodation in London. Also, is there anyone also looking for accommodation in London who would be happy to team up with me to look for a flat-share? Inbox me!

Congrats... and which campus will you be based at? I did my BSc at QMUL and was based in Mile End and Whitechapel for most of it. London's East End has less of a housing shortage than most places so you shouldn't find it too hard, the only problem is the gentrification of the area putting prices up in recent years. Just stay away from Hoxton and Shroreditch if you need somewhere cheap, and avoid the estate agents Felicity J Lord- I've rented two flats from them and they were useless when I needed help getting my deposit back from their two dodgy landlords.

I've never tried one of these but they look fun, and like a good idea- kind of like speed-dating for flatmates:

http://www.flatnightfever.co.uk/

Thanks! I'm gonna be at the Blizard Institute in Whitechapel. I haven't been given my University username and password yet so I can't log on to their systems. Do you know if QMUL has a website on which up-to-date private accommodation is listed or at least other accommodation related resources?

Try Spareroom.co.uk--they have a student section where you can find lodging, flats, flat shares etc...

gumtree is always a good place to start!

Gumtree etc is a bit hit and miss. I found my current place through gumtree, with other students (I'm doing an MSc at the moment), but I've found the honeymoon period was over very quickly. I'm starting my pathology/immunology PhD at King's in October 2011 also, so I'm also starting to think about accommodation ideas for this year!