Tip 39: Be Spareroom savvy

£1200 for 3 bedrooms by the Royal Albert Hall? Reeks of a scam.

Flat hunting in London can be a game of Russian roulette. The most popular flat hunting website, Spareroom, has loads of listings- but some of them pose traps to young players. Read on to get some crucial pointers.

1. Watch out for property sharks
   Be very wary of property sharks that list an abundance of adverts which don’t necessarily exist. If something looks too good to be true it probably is.  If an agent or a  property company is listed as the contact, chances are it will be an expired advert and they’ll just want your contact details to sell you another property. They may help in the end, but probably not with the flat you’ve enquired about.
2. Avoid randomly cobbled together flats
   Where possible, avoid adverts which are written and posted by the landlord. Unless the landlord is live in, it can mean each room is rented out separately, rather than leasing the whole house. Therefore, as a tenant, you have no say over who moves into rooms in the future. And as the landlord just wants the rooms filled, it can result in an odd mix of people living under the same roof! (We have proof of this scenario! Think vacuuming at 5am...)
3. Always request photos
   If a listing doesn't have photos, try requesting them through a private message to the advertiser before you tee up a viewing. Sometimes there aren't photos for a reason…
4. Work out your actual rent If the rent on Spareroom shows the cost of rent per week, be aware.  Most landlords require payment per calendar month, and as most months have more than 4 weeks in them, make sure you get an accurate monthly figure by multiplying the weekly cost by 52 then dividing it by 12.
   
5. Check for a living room
   Landlords often rent out the living room as a bedroom to get more rent. So if you want a living room, make sure you select this in your advanced search.
6. Check the age range of the current housemates
   Not everyone is a young professional and some people choose to flatshare well into their 50s.
7. Don't dilly dally Listings go very quickly. You may have arranged a viewing for after work, yet someone else may be able to go at lunchtime.  Be quick and make sure you have references and the deposit ready to go.
8. Map the area
   Where possible, use Google street view to get an idea of the street/neighborhood before you set out to avoid any nasty shocks (you might be living on top of a nightclub).

   

   Example of why you should use Google street view

Tip 38: A solution for your Broadway Market cash dilemma

If I'm in the area, I frequent Broadway Market most Saturdays as it's one of my favourite places to meet friends for some tasty lunch and/or to stock up on a cheeseboard for Saturday evening!

If you are like me, and intend to get cash out before arriving and then promptly forget and only remember when you go to pay for your first treat of the day, this hack is for you! (Thanks to a friend who pointed out this secret to me!)

Due to the location of Broadway market, cash machines are limited and if you remember en-route, you may think that your only option is to go to the one cash machine on the strip and join the never-ending queue snaking its way past the market stalls. Plus, it's one of those cash machines, which robs you of a couple of pounds just for using it.

However, instead, you should head to the tiny post office located mid-way down the market opposite Franco Manca and get cash out there! There is rarely a queue and theres no charge for withdrawing cash from your card.

Phew! Lunch, coffee, and an abundance of cheese and quince is back on!

Tip 37: Save your hair from London's hard water

The devastating effects of London's hard water on an emu's hair

London is notorious for its hard water. This is water that has a high mineral content which makes the little scales on your hair shaft stand up, causing hair to feel rough and to tangle easily. Shampoo also becomes less effective with hard water because it reacts more with the minerals from the water, and less with the dirt in your hair.

But we have some hacks to save your locks.

1. Apple cider vinegar rinse

Mix 1 table spoon of vinegar with 3 cups of water, and after shampooing massage this into your hair and leave for up to 10 minutes. Rinse. This will add shine and body to your hair. Tips: Don’t substitute balsamic vinegar, only do it once a week, and don’t worry – the smell of vinegar fades when the hair is dry.

2. Vodka

Oddly enough, this works too as the vodka strips bad minerals form your hair. Either add it straight to your shampoo, or add a shot to your hair once you have lathered up. Again, only do this once a week.

3. Clarifying shampoo

If you don’t want to use vinegar or vodka, you can get clarifying shampoos that can cleanse the minerals out of your hair, while also adding shine, thickness and volume. There are salon brands, but there are also high street ones for those on a budget. Even Herbal Essences does one.

4. Leave in conditioner

Don’t forget to moisturise your hair. Leave in conditioners work well, or we personally recommend using argon oil if you can get it. 

Tip 36: Hurwundeki - your one stop shop

Tucked away on Cambridge Heath Road in E2, you will find the tastiest Korean food and bargain haircut in London. Whilst they aren't mutually exclusive, there's nothing to stop you getting a pre or post-lunch haircut.

In typical East-London style, you write your name on the blackboard in either pink (girls) or blue (boys) chalk and take a seat amongst the stylists busy at work. When your name is called, you have a 15 minute time slot for your £14 dry cut makeover. The stylists are attentive and know what they're doing with a pair of scissors, and after a few minutes you forget that a room full of people are observing.

During your cut, the tantalising smells of the "fresh, simple and authentic" Korean creations will entice you through to the restaurant area no matter what time of day you visit. Although everything I have tried so far off the menu is delicious, their dumplings and Bibimbap deserve a special mention.
With prices averaging 6 - 7pounds, this may be the only place in London where you can get a haircut and lunch in exchange for a crisp £20 note.

* Hurwundeki have just opened a new shop on Brick Lane too!