Short-term lets in London

[TondelayooohSchwarlock]

We're having our house extended / converted early next year. (touch wood) We'll have to move out for 3-4 months.

Does anyone know any short-term letting agencies in North London that aren't ridonkulously priced (ie for US bank employees or diplomats) and are flexible.

Or should we buy a caravan?

Its a nightmare, we tried and failed and had to go for a 6 month rental. The only agency I know that does it was Foxtons and the rent is roughly double the long term rental rate.
We also tried approaching the sales departments to see if any sellers who were having trouble seling an empty house would be interested in a short term rental So, I would suggest yuo rent normally and ask for a 6 month break clause. This way if the works overun (which they will) you will have some more flexibility?

Good luck

TS - works may well overrun, very easy for 4 to become 5 or 6. We are about to start a 6 month tenancy for exactly the same reason. The build work is 4 months, it will overrun (I assume), and then we need a few weeks to get it decorated etc, so I just figured, go with 6 months and be done with it.... short term lets are very hard to find, so I gave up on that very quickly.....

All you need is one month's notice to the 6 month anniversary or any date after that.

Thanks. Good idea about approaching sales depts. I knew it would be a mare.