Relocation
Moving to London: how to choose temporary accommodation
· Staylio · Planning guide
Temporary accommodation gives you a base while you organise a move to London. Choose it around the first few weeks of real life: getting to work, attending viewings, managing luggage and keeping your plans flexible. Confirm the initial booking period and change conditions before paying, especially if your longer-term move-in date is still uncertain.
Separate your first base from your permanent neighbourhood
You do not have to solve every neighbourhood decision before arriving. A temporary base needs to make the transition workable. List the places you must reach during the first weeks, such as an office, campus or property viewings. Then compare journeys rather than choosing only by a well-known postcode.
Use the time to learn your routine before committing to a longer-term location. Consider the journey home, food shopping and whether you need a quiet place to work between appointments. Browse Staylio’s London locations for an initial shortlist and use the actual apartment postcode to check the commute.
Decide what is fixed and what may change
Make two lists. Fixed requirements might include an arrival date, guest count, separate bedrooms or access needs. Flexible preferences might include a particular area or decorative style. Sharing that distinction helps the booking team find a workable option without treating every preference as a requirement.
If your permanent home is not ready, ask how extensions are handled. Check when you would need to decide, whether a new quote would apply and whether you might need to move to another apartment. Availability can change during your stay. Keep a backup plan if your move depends on a date that somebody else controls.
Get one written picture of the booking
Request the total for the exact dates, compulsory charges, any deposit, payment schedule and cancellation or amendment conditions. Ask which services are included and which are available at an additional cost. A furnished apartment, serviced apartment and hotel can each offer different combinations, so compare the details in the quote.
If an employer or relocation company is arranging payment, agree who is booking and who needs the invoice before making payment. Provide the necessary billing details through the booking process. Do not assume reimbursement or a company’s approval process is the same as the accommodation provider’s reservation terms.
Plan for luggage and an ordinary working week
Tell the team if you are arriving with more than normal holiday luggage. Ask about stairs, lifts and storage space inside the apartment. If furniture or boxes are arriving separately, check whether deliveries can be accepted and where they could be placed; a residential apartment may have no reception or storage service.
Check the facilities you need immediately: cooking equipment, laundry and a suitable place to work. If several people need calls at the same time, a separate bedroom does not automatically provide a second workspace. Ask about the layout and connectivity for the apartment you are considering, and have an alternative for any essential first-day meeting.
Use a simple arrival and departure checklist
Before travelling, save the confirmed address, check-in arrangements and guest-support contact. Keep travel documents, chargers, medication and a change of clothes in accessible luggage. Check your route on the travel day, allowing for luggage and service changes. Ask about early arrival separately if it would affect your plans.
Before moving on, confirm check-out time, key return and any luggage arrangements. If your next home is delayed, contact the team before the booked departure date rather than assuming you can remain. Take any outstanding questions back to the booking confirmation. For a work-funded stay, Staylio’s corporate page is the relevant starting point for an enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I book temporary accommodation for?
Base the initial booking on your confirmed commitments and realistic moving timeline. Compare the cost and conditions of a longer initial booking with the uncertainty of relying on an extension.
Will I be able to stay in the same apartment if my move is delayed?
That depends on availability. Ask about extension options before booking and contact the team promptly if your dates change.
What information should I send in a relocation enquiry?
Include dates, guest count, regular destination, budget, access requirements and essential facilities. Explain which dates or preferences are flexible.