Jess is our first ever repeat participant in What I Rent. Since last year she’s moved from a house-share with three other people to sharing a one-bedroom flat with her boyfriend (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Our weekly series What I Rent aims to take an honest look at how we’re renting in the UK.

In the midst of misleading flat listings and dodgy landlords, it’s vital for us to have clarity on what people get for what they pay – so we can know when we’re being ripped off.

So, each week we take you inside a different person’s rented property, looking at the good bits of renting as well as the grotty bits.

This week, we have a special edition of What I Rent, as for the first time we’re returning to a previous What I Rent participant.




This time last year we chatted to Jess, who at the time paid £580 a month for a room in a four-person houseshare in Deptford. The thermostat was kept in a locked box, the windows didn’t open, and there were ongoing issues with mould and ants.

One year later, Jess has moved to a one-bedroom flat with her boyfriend, Sean. We decided to see how she’s getting on in her new place.

Last year Jess paid £580 a month, now she pays £625 a month (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Welcome back, Jess! How much rent are you paying for your new place?

£625 a month each, £1,250 a month in total.

Bills are roughly £155 a month each for council tax, water, energy, and broadband.

There’s one bedroom, one bathroom, an open-plan living/dining/kitchen area, and a hallway with a storage area.

That’s £45 a month more than your last place – do you think you’re getting a good deal?

Definitely for London. The letting agent haggled us up from £1200 (why do they do this?!) but it still felt decent for a nice modern flat in an area we like.

And you’ve stayed in Deptford – how come?

It’s always been a dealbreaker for me to stay here because there are so many good pubs, food places, my favourite nail shop, and super friendly people.

The couple stayed in Deptford as they love the area (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

How did you find this flat?

We moved in at the start of December 2018. Zoopla, I think. We were scouring most of the property apps and websites for ages.

Do you like it?

We genuinely love it, and sometimes just sit around marveling at how different it is from mouldy, dark shared flats we’ve had in the past.

It’s close to all our favourite places and our neighbours are lovely. All good things.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

No complaints really, but we’ve had to buy a few things like rails and drawers to make the best use of the space. It came unfurnished apart from a bed and a wardrobe so at least when we move we can still make use of all that stuff.

Jess wants a cat, but pets aren’t allowed in the flat (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

What made you decide to move?

My old flat became too mouldy to bear and we had planned to move in together anyway.



What’s better about this place than your last?

No mould, no ants, no mice, no landlords randomly turning up, no windows that are nailed shut. Regarding the properties themselves, they’re like night and day.

You’ve also gone from a group house-share to living just with your boyfriend. What’s that like?

You feel so much freedom moving out of a shared place. I loved my old flatmates, but not having to be constantly vigilant about the space you’re taking up (and whose dishes have been left where) is a game changer.

I can belt out Lana Del Rey in the shower now whenever I want and have someone great to come home to after work.

Are there any major issues with the flat you have to put up with?

The light in the hallway was broken, but they came out to fix it a day after it was reported. The bar is so low that we were pretty elated the job had been done when and how it was supposed to be.

But it’s a major improvement on her last place, which had problems with mould and ants (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Last time you took part in What I Rent you said you want a bath, a more homely vibe, and a cat. Are you closer to getting those things?

Not quite a hat trick as this agent doesn’t allow pets, but I’ve named all my plants so I have something to nurture. The bath and booze basket also soothe my soul greatly.

Are you planning to move again?

Hopefully not, but the lease runs out in December, so if they put the rent up considerably we may have to. That would be really sad as we’ve made this place ours, but if it happened we’d just have to see what we could get I suppose.


Last time we chatted you said you’re not looking to buy. Is that still the case?

If I get a win on the scratch cards, yes, but otherwise no.

Same. Let’s have a look around Jess and Sean’s new pad.

The flat came unfurnished, so Sean and Jess were able to make it their own (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Jess says she appreciates the freedom of sharing with a boyfriend instead of living with three other people (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Plants and choice furniture make the flat feel more like home (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

We’re big fans of the yellow chair (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

The rent is a touch more than the couple would have liked, but they still say they got a good deal (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

They’ll have to move if the rent is hiked up in December (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Here’s the open plan kitchen and dining area (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Jess and Sean with their plant baby (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Anyone who stores their teabags in little canisters wins adult points (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Here’s the bedroom. Note that pop of yellow. (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Like many Londoners, Jess has given up on being able to buy property in the city (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Thankfully she’s happy where she is (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Everything’s very tidy and organised (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

Even the bathroom (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

How many plants have you counted? (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

And finally, the toothbrushes (Picture: Gustavo Valiente Herrero/Metro.co.uk)

What I Rent is a weekly series that’s out every Tuesday at 10am. Check back next week to have a nose around another rented property in London.

How to get involved in What I Rent What I Rent is Metro.co.uk's weekly series that takes you inside the places people are renting, to give us all a better sense of what's normal and how much we should be paying. If you fancy taking part, please email whatirent@metro.co.uk. You'll need to have pictures taken of your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, plus a few photos of you in your room. Make sure you get permission for your housemates! You'll also need to be okay with sharing how much you're paying for rent, as that's pretty important.

MORE: What I Rent: Abbie, £520 a month for a room in a three-bedroom flat in Manor House

MORE: What I Rent: Harriet and Hannah, £850 each a month to share a three-bedroom flat in St Paul’s

MORE: What I Rent: Sophie and Samy, £1,516 a month for a one-bedroom flat in Hackney

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