Finding an apartment to rent in a major city can sometimes seem like an obstacle course. Between the pressure of the market, competition between tenants, the quality of available accommodation, and the often very tight deadlines, many people find themselves overwhelmed. It was against this backdrop that Drive Home helped Melania, a young professional newly arrived in London, to find an apartment in less than a week.
🎯 Customer profile : Melania, 29, marketing consultant
Originally from Newcastle, Melania was recently recruited by an international communications agency based in London. Her new position was starting in ten days’ time, and she had to find accommodation in a very short space of time. Her specifications were simple but demanding :
A furnished T2 apartment close to Canary Wharf or Westminster
Maximum rent of £1,500 including utilities
High-speed internet connection included (hybrid work)
Bright, secure accommodation in good condition
After spending several hours on platforms such as Rightmove, On the Market and Zoopla, she came up against a common problem : properties were gone within hours, landlords were difficult to contact, and the responses she received were often automated or impersonal. It was in search of a more human and responsive solution that she contacted Drive Home.
🚀 Step 1 : Contact and needs analysis
As soon as contact was made via our online form, Melania received a call within 2 hours for a free initial consultation. During this exchange, our referral agent :
Listened to her priorities and time constraints
Clarified her non-negotiable criteria
Proposed an express 72-hour action plan
Thanks to our presence in several major English cities and our network of local partners, we were able to immediately activate our contacts in London, notably with agencies, concierge services specializing in short and medium-term rentals, and private owners with whom we work on a regular basis.
🔍 Step 2 : Selection and targeted visits
Our team selected 6 apartments matching Melania’s criteria, all available immediately or within 3 days maximum. Rather than sending her a long, impersonal list, we opted for a clear presentation with photos, floor plans, location, strengths/weaknesses, and commented videos.
Melania, still in Newcastle, was able to take 3 live virtual tours via WhatsApp with our on-site agent, and had access to :
A detailed tour of the building and its surroundings
Real-time verification of the on-site internet connection
Advice on lease negotiation and insurance options
📑 Step 3 : Booking and administrative formalities
His choice was a 41 m² furnished T2 apartment just a stone’s throw from Westminster station, in a quiet, new residence. Thanks to our relationship of trust with the landlord, we were able to reserve the apartment without any immediate payment, provided we sent the supporting documents promptly.
Our team then took charge of
checking the rental contract
Discussing with the landlord the duration of the lease, the guarantee and the handover of the keys.
Recommend a partner mover and preferential home insurance.
In less than 4 days, everything was in place : accommodation validated, contract signed, insurance activated, key handed over the day after arrival in London.
🤝 Final result
Thanks to Drive Home’s support :
Melania found a home in 4 stress-free days
She saved dozens of hours of searching
She benefited from human, transparent and responsive support
She was able to move to London with peace of mind, ready to start her new job.
Here’s her testimonial :
“I was literally lost. I had the impression that all the apartments were gone in 30 minutes. In just a few days, the Drive Home team took charge of everything, showed me the apartments by video, negotiated with the landlord, and I was in my apartment on time. Thank you for your professionalism!”
🛠️ What made the difference
Several factors contributed to the success of this assignment :
Immediate response to the first request
Targeted selection of available properties
Interactive virtual tours with on-site advice
Full support through to installation
Melania’s experience perfectly reflects our mission : to simplify access to housing without wasting time, based on local knowledge, a reliable local network, and a real human dimension in every accompaniment.
🧭 What we offer in London and other major European cities
This case study is far from isolated. At Drive Home, we work with a wide variety of people every week :
Students or trainees on mobility schemes
Young professionals changing jobs
Couples looking for temporary or furnished accommodation
Companies looking for accommodation solutions for their employees
Our short and medium-term rental service is available in many cities, including :
Luxembourg
Paris
Montreal
Marseille
Brussels
Geneva
Bristol
We collaborate with residences, local agencies, concierge services and private owners, enabling us to offer verified, available and secure accommodation that can be quickly accessed.
✨ In conclusion
Melania’s case study perfectly illustrates Drive Home’s added value : personalized support, an effective approach, and a concrete response to an urgent problem. Our role is not limited to showing apartments or passing on links : we are facilitators, trusted relays, and experts in the field.
Are you in a similar situation?
Are you looking for emergency, long-distance or short-term accommodation?
Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We’ll help you find what you’re looking for, quickly and efficiently, with the assurance of a tailor-made service.
