renting a flat in London...a few questions..

[byebyebadman]

Me and my girlfriend will be looking for a flat in London this summer. We're not looking for a house or flat share, just little one bedroom flat for the 2 of us.

We're going to Thailand for 3 weeks until the middle July, and we'd like to move as soon as possible once we are back.

So my main question is, are we best looking to get something sorted BEFORE we go to Thailand? Or once we come back? Ie is it possible to sort something in June for a tenancy to start towards the end of July? Or are landlords not keen on this? Also does it take time for paperwork ect to go through once signing? If so then perhaps sorting it prior to our hol would be wise?

We live quite a distance from London at the moment, so would probably want to sort something on our first visit if possible, so would waiting until we're back be the better option anyway?

Also, are the Olympics being on during this time going to have any implications for us?

(by the way we don't know which part of London we want to live in yet, but understand we'd have to decide on an area before we go flat-hunting)