Zoe Rose, Head of London Lettings at Strutt & Parker, gives advice to those tackling the competitive and fast-moving London rental market for the first time.

The facts speak for themselves:

• Rents in London grew more than twice as much as the rest of England in 2014/15, up 3.2%, compared to 1.5%, says the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

• The average private sector rent in London is more than twice the national average across all property sizes

• The average monthly rent in London tops £1,500 a month, according to HomeLet

To help you negotiate what can be a daunting market, we’ve come up with a few tips.

Be ready to move

Being able to move fast - whether it’s for viewings or signing contracts - is hugely important in London as competition is fierce and comes from a variety of sources.

While there are a number of British people taking their first job coming to London, figures from the Mayor of London show 60% of private renting households in the capital are headed by someone born outside the UK. Demand is especially high from Europe, particularly Eastern Europe, where many graduates haven’t been able to find jobs.

The Mayor’s Office figures also reveal the level of turnover in the market, with around a third of private renting households in London having moved in the last year. This all means London has a faster market than other cities, so delaying could lose you a property.

Prospective tenants outside the city are forced to use websites and portals to educate themselves about what properties are out there – but being physically in London while you’re searching is definitely an advantage.

Sort your finances

Having your finances in order is the key to being able to move quickly. In terms of practical advice, we recommend working out your finances carefully and never underestimating the cost. Not only is rent expensive but many landlords require large deposits and a few month’s rent in advance.

Do your own budget sheet to work out how much you can dedicate to rent. As a general rule, your rent shouldn’t be over a third of your income, according to the rent affordability calculator. Keep a rainy day fund and don’t stretch yourself to the max.

Also remember that in London, rent is often displayed as a weekly amount so make sure you times by 52 and divide by 12 to get the right monthly figure. Don’t just times by four as this is misleading and inaccurate.

Do your research

Sites like OnTheMarket.com and Rightmove give insights into which agents have the best properties in your area. Try to work with just one or two agents closely, rather than several at once.

Get on the phone and make it personal, as lettings agents in London get hundreds of enquiries every day – ONS figures show a quarter of households in London are private renters. Make friends in order to make your enquiry count.

Be prepared to forgo some of the items on your wish list. Be realistic and have a plan B, and indeed a plan C. Be open-minded and go and see the wildcard that your agent suggests, just in case.

To find out where you can afford, try the Mayor’s Rent Map. It’s also worth noting where demand for rent is highest. For example, the rate for private renting is almost twice as high in central London as in the outer boroughs.

Consider the commute

If you’re starting your first job, you could be working long hours in order to prove yourself. So try to get as close to a tube station as possible. You’re also likely to be doing a lot of socialising so don’t give yourself a long commute.

We’d recommend pushing yourself as close to central London as you can afford, in order to make the most of the whole experience of living in London for the first time.

The launch of the 24-hour tube later this year should open up outer boroughs, making it easier to commute to work or go out in the centre at any time.