Short lets in the UK?

[BabCNesbitt]

DH and I moved to NYC with our daughter last March, and we'll be moving to Colorado permanently this summer. But DH has a temporary position in London from May to July. Yay! of course, because it'll be lovely to spend time with friends (and go to free museums instead of paying $20 a head, cough). But we have to find our own accommodation no friends I want to impose on for 3 months with an 18-month-old) and I'm having trouble finding an affordable place to stay for that time. Gumtree is pretty useless - mostly rooms, and it's impossible to know how legit they are - and all the other short-term lets I've seen seem to be aimed mostly at businessmen whose companies are paying for their accommodation. I've tried Air BnB, but again, there's nothing suitable in our price range (up to about 1600 quid a month, I guess). There are lots of studio flats, but those aren't great when you want to get a toddler to stay asleep after 7pm!

Has anyone else had any luck finding a short-term let if they've had longer trips back to the UK? Is there any point in talking to estate agents?

[londonmoo]

And for month-long (or 3-week long) London let's too please :)

[londonmoo]

Darn Iphone: 'lets' and meant to say: 'in July'

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Will you have a place of your own or are there gaps between nyc and colorado? even a place in the uk? Try www.homeexchange.com, we swapped our place in Scotland for a fab family home in Copenhagen a couple of summers ago, free of charge and we got insider information on stuff to do, best restaurants etc. Lived like locals with our kids, even mil came to stay.

[BabCNesbitt]

Unfortunately not - the place here is tied to the job, so once the job's finished, we're out! Thanks for the suggestion, though

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

Bumping for you as I woilc be interested too

[newbiefrugalgal]

I would try placing an advert (free) on gumtree with your circumstances as landlords do look at those. Gumtree does occ offer short lets as I know we filled our flat a few times this way. Real estates almost double rent for short let periods - crazy. see Foxtons as an example.
what about B&B -

[BabCNesbitt]

Not sure about B&Bs, because not being able to cook would get really expensive, and we like our own space! But will give the advert on Gumtree a try - thanks for the idea!

[IreneR]

People may think I'm shilling for this website, but I only mention it as I'm longing to use it myself! Try sabbaticalhomes.com. They have a lot of properties in London, and their rates seem more reasonable than the usual holiday lettings places, which may be too pricey for the length of time you're after.

I promise I have no connection to sabbaticalhomes.com, but this is the second time I've referred someone to them, and I hardly ever even post....

[Salbertina]

Gonna report you for plug, .. Joke.. sorry, not funny ... Am in weird mood, our pending move back rather getting to us all!
Friend of mind uSed them also but shes an an academic. Didn't know you can use if not but sounds good.

[Salbertina]

Remember now, friend actually did swap with them so worked really well. We have nothing to swap, sadly

[IreneR]

You don't have to swap; there are plenty of properties available for rental as well. They do list swaps, and even shares, but it's only ever the rentals that appeal to me.

[Salbertina]

Yes i know. Rents high though fir the areas i looked.

[Vagndidit]

Try searches on "self-catering" accommodation/apartments in London. We were sponsored for about a month in London by DH's uni years before our permanent move here, and our flat was booked through an agency. There's plenty out there, and probably a better option than airBnb, to be honest.