Q- What do you do?
A- We supply budget short and long term sharing accommodation in houses
and flats to travellers, students and holiday makers
Q- What type of payment do you accept?
A- We accept Cash, Travellers cheques in Pounds, Bankers Draft, Money
Order, VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, some debit cards like VISA
DELTA, SWITCH, SOLO and JCB.
Q- One week stay. Does this mean 7 nights or 5 nights like some hotels?
A- No. 1 week is 7 nights.
Q- How do I make a booking?
A- There are several ways to book: you can use the Secure server by clicking on "book it" on this website, or by telephone at 0044 (0) 870 042 9290. Our multi language staff will be happy to help you!
If you need some info, do not hesitate to use our Live On line support.
Q- Are you available to show me the room sometimes next week?
A- Yes, you can view the room before booking, Viewing can be arranged from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm on appointments only.
Q- Do I need to pay money upfront?
A- The deposit is 10% of the total amount with a minimum of 5GBP and is not refundable. The deposit is due while booking the accommodation. It is a security deposit which will be deducted during your last rent payment.
Q- What is the difference between short-term and long term?
A- Short term is from one week to 28 nights. Long term up to one year. The shorter the stay is, the more expensive it is. Indeed, if you stay more than 28days, you get a discount of 20percent on the daily prices.
Usually short stays are not as flexible as longer stays, since you'll have contracts and notice periods to be aware of.
Q- What is your cancellation policy?
A- Before arrival:
Our cancellation policy requires a 28 days' written notice before
the arrival date (by e-mail only, including reservation number). Shortening the
stay is also possible with a 28 days' written notice. If failing to do so a
charge of up to 14 nights' rent may be enforced.
Any deposit paid in advance will not be refunded regardless of notice.
When you are already here:
The first rent is payed for 28 nights in advance. If shortening the stay, we need a 28 days prior written notice. The deposit will not be refunded.
The changing of a booking, i.e. changing of arrival date, room type
or number of persons results in a charge of 10 GBP per change of booking.
Q- I am arriving very late about midnight or even later if the plane is
late but don't want to book in a hotel?
A- We will be happy to book you in one of the Hotels (via our sister
websites) not far from our locations for the first night, and then come
the next day at 11 am to our Studio rooms.
Q- How do I Pay?
A- In all the cases you can pay your rent by cash. Some of partners do not accept credit cards, so you can contact us to have all the info before your arrival.
Q- This is our first time in London and we would like a flat with one
or two bedrooms and private bathroom and kitchen. Your rates seem very
good.. it sounds great.
A- Please be aware that London is expensive and the reason we are able
to offer such good deals is that in most cases the bathroom and kitchen
are shared. If you are looking at private facilities, this is possible
but be prepared to pay more than the basic options listed. An apartment
for a short term stay can be very very expensive, so if this is what you
are after then be ready for expense!
Q- What is check out time?
A- Check out time is 10:30 AM
Q- What is check in time?
A- Because check out time is 10:30, the check in time is after 12:00
noon, that gives the cleaning staff time to get the rooms ready.
Q- I am arriving around 8am, can I have my room that early?
A- To access the room that early, you will need to book it from the day
before, so It will be kept empty.
Q- I am arriving at the airport at 8pm, and I can be at the station 10pm
- can I get picked up using your service?
A- This service is only available between 9am and 5pm usually. If you
do have a late arrival, we may be able to work something out, otherwise
we can book you into a hostel with 24hour reception for the night, then
you can have breakfast and meet us the next morning.
Q- I am arriving next week for the weekend with 12 of my friends, would
you have a 12 beds in a dorm?
A- We don't do dorm rooms, but we refer you to our sister website that
does hostel bookings.
Q- Do I have to pay a bond/deposit ( Damage deposit) when I arrive to
the accommodation?
A- When you arrive, we take a print-out of your credit card which will be destroyed after your check out as a deposit for damages and against lost keys. If you don't have any credit card, it would be a good idea to apply for one. You can also make a booking with a friends or relatives credit card, providing you supply their full name, address and phone number. Obviously permission is required and we reserve the right to contact the card holder for authorization.
A cash deposit may be required if a credit card cannot be provided.
Q- How many blankets/sheets/Towels are provided?
A- As many as you need. It is free of charge!
Q- What does the service charge constitute?
A- Service charge is what you pay when you are renting a flat, not a
house. It is usually around £65 per month. When staying with us,
we cover it for you.
Q- How often are the rooms cleaned/sheets & blankets changed, and
is there a separate charge?
A- Rooms are cleaned before you check in. The rooms are also checked
by one of our managers, before you move in. You get the clean linen and
then it is up to you to clean the linen during your weekly laundry. Cleaners
clean the common areas, they do not have access to private rooms. You
are required to clean up after yourself every time you use the kitchen
or the bathroom.
Q- Are the ironing facilities communal? If so, what is the charge if any,
to use the iron/ironing board?
A- Iron facilities are communal and at no extra charge. Yes, it is part
of the service.
Q- Are the showers or heating in the rooms coin operated?
A- We do not have any coin operated devices in our flats.
Q- What type of heating is used in the rooms? e.g. oil, electric, gas?
A- Gas central heating, supplied by British Gas in most flats and houses,
few flats have electric heating.
Q- Can the temperature of the heaters be controlled/adjusted?
A- Yes.
Q- What months is the heating able to be utilized?
A- When ever it is cold, usually October to April.
Q- Does the heating automatically turn on/off at the times given on the
web site?
A- Yes.
Q- Is the kitchen communal?
A- In most cases, yes. but you can request a room with private kitchen
like OPTION 57
Q- Do you supply washing and cleaning materials?
A- Yes. There will always be dish washing liquid for cleaning the dishes
in the kitchen, cleaning stuff to clean the bath, and soap to wash your
hands.
Q- What appliances are provided in the rooms?
A- Most rooms will have fridge, Cable TV & telephone, wardrobe, bed,
desk, chair...
Q- Are there direct dial phones in the room or coin operated public phones
in the building?
A- All rooms have telephone in the rooms. In both cases you can dial
out using phone cards supplied by us and it's much cheaper. We have very
competitive rates for all calls worldwide. Ask us on arrival for further
details.
Q- Do you provide electric blankets?
A- No, they are considered a fire hazard
Q- Is there a supermarket in walking distance ?
A- Yes there are shops and shopping centres within walking distance.
Last time I checked they do home delivery, you can order your groceries
by internet using a credit card.
Q- If I make a booking for three weeks from the date of my arrival will
it be relatively easy to extend my stay?
A- Yes, simply notify us when you arrive (or as soon as possible).
Q- What appliances/facilities are provided in the kitchen?
A- Depends on each individual house/Flat. In all cases you don't need
to buy a thing. All applicances and cutlery in the kitchen are supplied
by us.
Q- Is there a laundry with washing machine and/or clothes dryer? If not,
is there a Laundromat within walking distance?
A- Most of our flats have a washing machine in the kitchen. If they don't, they are within walking distance to a launderette.
Q- As I arrive in London on a Sunday afternoon, is it possible to arrange
for someone to open my room and the like?
A- No problem! Just discuss it with the us when you call or e-mail.
Q- Do the rooms have any wardrobes/cupboards/storage facility?
A- Yes, all rooms do.
Q- Do you serve breakfast?
A- We don't but our sister website can offer a room in a hotel or Bed & Breakfast.
Q- When is the time limit to make a reservation?
A- You can book as early as you want or as late as you want, although generally it is best to book as soon as possible, as we can't always guaranty the availabilities of the rooms.
Q- When shall I pay for the accommodation?
A- If you are staying 4 weeks or less, the total amount is due on arrival.
If you stay more, you will have to pay the 28 first nights on arrival. Your deposit will be deducted on your last rental payment. If you shorten your stay the deposit will not be refunded.
On arrival, the check-in staff will take an imprint of your credit card (like a hotel) as a security deposit. On departure this can be returned or destroyed once the room is inspected. Without a credit card there may be a cash deposit required for your stay.
Q- I have a credit card, if I call you and give you the details, can
I pay cash when I get there or will I be charged on credit card?
A- You will be charged a minimum of 10% non-refundable booking
deposit which will be used towards your rent, it simply secures your booking.
You pay the balance on arrival in cash if you want. Some of our partners do not accept credit cards.
Q- Do you use gas or electricity for cooking?
A- I personally do not cook. I live on take away, especially fish and
chips and junk food. In the UK, they mostly use gas for cooking, most
of the flats have electric.
Q- I am travelling with my girl friend, can we share the room?
A- Yes, of course. A double room (one double bed) or twin room (2 single
beds) would be suitable for this.
Q- Is smoking allowed in the rooms/flat/house?
A- For your own safety, NO. Absolutely not. Smoking makes the rooms smell,
plus it is a fire hazard. you can smoke outside the flat making sure you
dispose of the cigarette but on the allocated box to keep the area outside
the flat clean and tidy.
Q- What about room dimensions?
A- Well the minimum for a single should be around 10 meters squared and
a double 12 meters squared.
Q- What happens when I fill the information on the booking form?
A- Depending on the request, we inform you if we can make a booking straight
away or not. If not then we keep your details on the waiting list and
if there is an opening as you requested we will contact you. If you are
on the waiting list, it will be a good idea to inform us close to the
date that you are still looking for a place.
Q- Can I make a booking for next Christmas & New year ?
A- In most cases yes, just use our secure server or give us a call.
Q- I have a lot of luggage can you organize a Taxi for me?
A- No problem !! You can book a taxi-online via our sister websites.
Q- If I arrive at 9:30 am, can I have my room straight away?
A- Check-out time for current residents is 10:30am and check-in time
for new residents is 12pm (to give us time to clean the room). You may,
however leave your luggage with us at the office and go on an exploring
tour of the area or go into Central London.
Q- Do your rooms have windows? And can you open the window?
A- Yes all the rooms have at least one window and of course you can open
the window, For your information it is illegal to offer a room without
natural light in London.
Q- Do you supply clean bed sheets, my friend told me, some landlords in
London supply dirty bed sheets?
A- You will get clean bed sheets, duvet and duvet cover.
Q- Do rooms have bunk beds?
A- No, they don't. We don't do bunk beds and we don't do dorms , we have
mainly singles and doubles and few triples. if you are after a bed in
a hostel, we can refer to a sister website for hostels.
Q- You offer free pick up for cheap-studios.com customers, is this correct?
A- The Free pick up applies to guests staying with us only. Just note that after 5pm you will be charged of 10GBP for late pick up. We can wait for you 20 minutes more if you noticed your late arrival before.
Q- What is the best way to recommend you?
Tell your friends about www.cheap-studios.com or studios92.com
Q- If I buy a weekly travelcard, can I use it on buses or night buses?
A- You can use all travelcards (daily, weekly and monthly) on the night
bus. You can also buy a BUS PASS, the PASS is not valid in the tube but
it it very cheap and you get to see London as well.