Accommodation in Reading

After a property boom of a few years, Reading's housing market is slowing down. However, this does mean that houses can be purchased at a lower cost, which can work in the buyer's favour.

Whether expats are looking to rent or buy property in Reading, they are sure to have a lot of options, but it’s also important to note that rental prices remain fairly expensive. 

Types of accommodation in Reading

There are many different types of housing in Reading, including houses, bungalows, apartments, maisonettes and studios. New arrivals looking for more spacious accommodation will usually find it in the form of older Victorian houses near the town centre, or in houses within surrounding towns and villages. 

There has been a huge amount of development around the outskirts of Reading, adding to the variety of options available to those looking for family homes. New apartment complexes are popping up in the city centre and these are particularly popular with young professionals and couples. 

Finding accommodation in Reading

Most people relocating to Reading will find that their employer will help them in their search for a home, but for those who need to do this on their own, the best place to start is to approach an estate agent. These professionals will have an intimate knowledge of Reading’s market and can alert clients to properties that haven’t been advertised publicly.  Most property searches start on one of the large online property portals.

Useful links

• www.rightmove.co.uk
• www.onthemarket.com

Signing a lease in Reading

Lease agreements are typically signed on a six-month or one-year basis, with the option to renew. Tenants may also be required to pay up to six weeks’ rent as a security deposit and will need to supply references from employers and previous landlords.

For more information, see our page on Renting Accommodation in the UK

Utilities in Reading

Rental contracts vary, so expats need to be careful and know exactly what’s covered in the cost of their rent. Additional costs such as council tax, gas and electricity, water, phone line and broadband rental can cause monthly expenses to shoot up.

For more detail see Setting up Household Utilities in the UK. 

Best places to live in Reading

Reading is growing rapidly, and is a popular commuter town for those working in London, as well as being a busy regional centre and university town. A quarter of a million people live in Reading, and many more in the hugely desirable outlying towns and villages. Some areas are more popular than others, and this is reflected in rents and house prices. 

See our page on: Areas and Suburbs in Reading