You Don't Need to Visit London to Secure Your Studio — How Virtual Viewings at DIFF_RENT Actually Work

Published 2026-05-26 · Studio Living · By DIFF_RENT Team

Over 60% of DIFF_RENT residents complete their entire viewing process online — and many arrive at the building for the very first time on move-in day. Here's how it works, and why it's become the preferred way to secure a studio.

Most People Who Live Here Have Never 'Visited' Before Moving In

It surprises people when they hear it, but it's become completely normal at DIFF_RENT: the majority of our residents secure their studio without ever setting foot in the building first. No in-person viewing. No travelling to Harrow to walk around. They watch the virtual tour, ask questions over video call or WhatsApp, sign their agreement digitally, and show up on move-in day.

In 2024, 63% of new residents at DIFF_RENT completed their viewing entirely online. Of those, 41% moved in from outside the UK — from Europe, the US, the Middle East, and South Asia. The process works. People trust it. And once you understand how it's set up, it's easy to see why.

Why Virtual Viewings Work So Well for Co-Living

Traditional flat viewings are high-friction: you book a time, travel across the city (or across the world), walk around for fifteen minutes, and try to imagine what it would feel like to live there based on a brief snapshot. You can't really tell anything about the community, the atmosphere, or the management — the things that actually determine whether you'll be happy.

Co-living properties like DIFF_RENT are, in some ways, easier to evaluate remotely. What you're signing up for is well-defined: an all-inclusive studio with a known set of amenities, a known price, and a professionally managed building. There's no mystery landlord. There's no vague "what are the bills like?" The tour shows you the studio, the gym, the co-working space, the cinema room, the communal areas. What you see is what you get.

We've also invested heavily in making the virtual experience genuinely informative. Our 360° tours cover every studio type and every communal space. We do live video calls for anyone who wants to ask questions in real time. And our team typically responds to WhatsApp messages within a few hours, seven days a week.

The Numbers Behind the Trend

• 63% of residents in 2024 completed their full viewing process online, with no in-person visit before move-in
• 41% of new residents relocated from outside the UK, making in-person viewings logistically impractical
• 4.9/5 — average satisfaction rating given by residents who viewed virtually, when asked specifically about the online process

Case Study: Marcus, Relocating from New York

Marcus had accepted a role at a financial services firm in the City. He had six weeks between accepting the job and his start date, was still based in New York, and had no interest in flying to London twice — once to look at flats, and once to move. He found DIFF_RENT through a Google search for air-conditioned co-living in London.

"I spent about an hour on the virtual tours and then sent a WhatsApp message with about twelve questions," he says. "Someone replied within two hours with answers to all of them, plus a video of the specific studio that was available. I did a fifteen-minute video call the next morning, and honestly I'd already made up my mind."

Marcus signed his agreement digitally from his apartment in Manhattan. He paid his deposit via bank transfer. His move-in date was a Monday. His flight from JFK landed at Heathrow at 6am that morning.

"I came straight from the airport. Dropped my bags at the building, the team showed me around in about twenty minutes, and I was in my studio by 9am. I had a gym session and then started unpacking. It was completely seamless. I'd been slightly nervous about the whole thing — moving to a place you've never physically been — but everything was exactly as it looked in the tour. Actually, the studio was slightly bigger than I expected."

Marcus has now been a resident at DIFF_RENT for eleven months. He renewed for a second year.

How the Virtual Viewing Process Works

If you're considering securing a studio remotely, here's exactly what the process looks like:

1. Take the 360° virtual tour — available any time, no booking required. Covers all three studio types (Silver, Gold, Platinum) plus the gym, co-working space, cinema room, communal areas, and outdoor terrace.
2. Send your questions — WhatsApp, email, or the contact form. Our team responds the same day, usually faster. No question is too detailed.
3. Book a live video call — optional but popular. We can walk you through the building live on video, show you the available studio, and answer questions in real time. Most calls are 15–20 minutes.
4. Receive your offer — once you're happy to proceed, we send a digital agreement via email. No printing, no scanning, no posting.
5. Sign and pay deposit — everything is handled digitally. UK bank transfers, international transfers, and card payments are all accepted.
6. Move in — your key is ready, the building team is expecting you, and there's a free morning coffee waiting at the concierge.

Who Is Virtual Viewing Particularly Good For?

Remote viewings work well for almost everyone, but they're especially well-suited for:

• International relocators — moving to London from abroad and can't justify a dedicated pre-move visit
• Students arriving for a new term — especially those coming from overseas who need accommodation confirmed well in advance
• Professionals accepting London roles — with a fixed start date and limited flexibility to travel beforehand
• Anyone who values their time — a 360° tour and a 20-minute video call genuinely replaces a half-day in-person visit