An Unforgettable Journey: Helping a Private School Mum Settle in West London

An Unforgettable Journey: Helping a Private School Mum Settle in West London

28th November 2024

Case Study | A Mother’s Journey: How to Quickly Find the Perfect Home for School?

Date: August 2024

Location: Wimbledon, London

"Can you help us find a home quickly?"

One day in August, we received a phone call from a mum sounding quite anxious. "My child starts school in early September, and we’ve never rented a property in the UK before. Can you help us find a home quickly? We also need someone who understands UK rental laws!"

The Challenges of Finding a Home in Wimbledon: Scarcity of One-Bedroom Flats

As soon as we took on the case, the team got straight to work. September is peak rental season, and in a family-oriented area like Wimbledon, most properties are large family homes. Finding a one-bedroom flat close to the school was no small task. Properties were either too far away or far too small to meet their needs.

After thorough research and comparisons, we finally found a brand-new one-bedroom flat that ticked all the boxes. It was within walking distance of the town centre and had plenty to offer in terms of convenience and comfort.

Efficient Viewing and a Swift Offer

Once the property was identified, our consultant wasted no time. They visited the flat for a detailed inspection, checking every corner and recording a comprehensive video for the client.

The flat was unfurnished, which was a slight drawback, but the client was pleased with everything else and decided to make an offer. Luckily, the landlord appreciated the client’s background and approved the offer within just a few hours!

Coordinating the Details: A Smooth Move Before School Starts

With the offer accepted, we moved quickly to tackle the next steps: negotiating with the outgoing tenant about leaving behind some furniture, coordinating payment terms with the letting agent, and more.

As the school start date approached, the UK's infamously slow pace of administration had us all on edge. But thankfully, everything was finalised just in time, and the client moved into their new home the day before school began.

On the check-in day, the elderly landlord spent over an hour walking us through every detail of the flat. After seeing him off, we sat down with the mum to carefully review the tenancy agreement, pointing out the key differences between renting in the UK and in China. We also gave her tips for the eventual move-out process to ensure her deposit would be safe.

From School to Dreams: A Midnight Conversation

After all the busyness, we had a chance to chat. She laughed and said, “I didn’t expect you to be so young!”

We ended up talking about everything—from economic changes back home to London’s job market and, of course, education in the UK.

As a fellow parent with a child studying abroad, I could relate deeply to the loneliness, uncertainty, and challenges that come with starting anew in a foreign country. She explained that bringing her child to the UK was about opening doors, giving her a broader perspective and more opportunities.

I genuinely hope their new life in London is filled with happiness and success. Every time we help a client overcome challenges, it’s a moment of pride and fulfilment. It reminds me of the deeper purpose of this job: to put heart into what we do, to empathise and connect, and to earn trust through sincerity and care.

Scarlett, Founder of Peninsula

22nd September 2024