Definitely your best option when looking for an apartment/flat would be www.gumtree.com - you should find it a lot easier than finding something here in Geneva ;)

for moving from CH to UK call Luker Bros. ( in Oxford )

they have trucks going between UK and CH every week

Hi Renata

For finding a flat you can try 

www.rightmove.co.uk

or www.findaproperty.co.uk

Estate agents are friendlier than here until they take your money:-) and do not pay anything for registering with the agents or having them showing you a flat.

godd luck

as removal company, I recommend you Simpsons Removals. http://www.simpsons-uk.com/

you can get a quote online.

When I moved from London to Geneva I chose them after asking quotations to many UK removal companies, they asked a very reasonable price. Their work was flawless, I also used their storage service.

Just a hint when looking for a property (no matter - room or a flat) make sure you are one of the first to view it once it becomes available. This means you have to check the websites every day and call the agent to arrange a viewing immediately. The market is much better in London than here, but to find something nice and not too expensive you have to be one of the first people to respond to an ad!

Also, the residential areas can differ very much in terms of safety, how nice they are and of course how expensive is the accommodation. You can get a very nice studio in East London for example for the same price as a small room in Hampstead or Highgate. The travel time to the center will be approximately the same. Also, some times it takes just as long to get to work when you live further away and take the train as when you are within London and travel by tube. So its best to check where you are going to work, then consider the transport options and then accommodation.

Thank you for all your suggestions. It's quite surprising that most of the time there is very little info about the size of a flat. What is the best way to rent directly from a propriety owner?

Do not expect that an ad will say how many square meters the flat has. They only give you a number of bedrooms (living room is always on top of that). SOmetimes you can come across "larger than average" but what it means you will have to check for yourself). There is also adifference between converted flats and purpose built flats. Converted means a buliding used to be a big house and has been converted into several self contained flats, sometimes you can have a bathrooom entrance through the kitchen or other surprises. They tend to be more expensive than purpose built flats as more often have some period features like fire place, sash windows etc.

Renting directly from the owner can be tricky as there are many scams on gumtree and you have to be very careful. (btw. alternative to gumtree http://www.loot.com/Search.aspx?catname=&catname=PROPERTY )Most people I know have been renting through an agency. But then you have another difference, some times agency only finds a tenant (you) and then the landlord manages the property (you contact landlord directly when something is wrong with the flat) or the agency also manages the property (then it is likely you will never meet or contact the landlord and the agency sorts out all the problems).

Speaking from experience.....as an owner.....turn up and bring your cheque book!

expect to pay a month's rental deposit.  There is now a rental de[poit scheme that works like an escrow account so ask which one they are using.  Don't pay money to owners directly as the deposit.  Check if it is furnished or not (don't expect too much, most tenants damage the good stuff).  Heating is important in winter, and double glazing helps.  check the evening standard and loot. 

Great advice above - google "Tenancy Deposit Scheme" for info, and don't accept an apartment without it. All genuine landlords will be happy to be use the scheme. 

The property market in London is a lot easier than in Geneva, so if you have any doubts about a landlord or apartment, don't take it, there will be plenty more. 

Look on gumtree for private landlords which will avoid any agency fees. 

You might find things easier using an agency though. The biggest is Foxtons:

http://www.foxtons.co.uk

But their service can often be pretty shocking! They do have a lot on their books though, and you're well protected with them. 

Others are:

www.ludlowthompson.com

www.abodelondon.co.uk

If talking to an agent, ask them upfront what their fees are, so there are no shocks! And check if there are fees for extending/redoing the contract after the first year - you don't want a nasty shock a year after settling. 

Wander round areas you're interested in, and you'll probably find a couple of local agencies as well.

Finally, if you don't know what areas to look in, ask! London is huge, with so many different parts, it's like lots of different towns. Everyone has different ideas about the great places to live, but I'm sure plenty of people here can warn you off the dodgy areas :)

Thanks for all sugestins. Acctually I going to Portsmouth. I think it 's easier to find some nice place there that in London.

For a good and reputed removal company you must google sites and find out the removal directory where you can have 8 companies in London.