Adelaide rents a two-bedroom flat in Littlehampton and lives with her two-year-old son (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

What I Rent is a weekly series in which we take you inside different people’s rented properties – from the outrageously overpriced to the cheap and cheerful.

The idea is to create a more honest picture of what renting is really like in the UK (and beyond).

Last week we were in Clackmannanshire, in Scotland, with Carmel, who pays £650 a month for a four-bedroom house.

This time we’re hanging out with Adelaide in Littlehampton.


Adelaide is an 18-year-old student and has a two-year-old son, who she lives with in a two-bedroom flat. She was born in Peterborough but has lived in Littlehampton for the majority of her life, having chosen to stick around as it’s a ‘beautiful, peaceful town’.

She pays £625 a month (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Hi, Adelaide! How much do you pay to live here?



The rent is £625 a month.

The water costs £30 a month. This flat doesn’t have gas so I don’t have to worry about that. The electric is pay as you go so I usually put about £40 a month on it.

And what do you get for what you pay?

We have five rooms – two are bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a lounge.

Do you think you have a good deal?

Yes, this is the cheapest two-bedroom flat I could find in the area and it has nothing wrong with it!

Adelaide has lived in Littlehampton for most of her life (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

How did you find the flat?

I saw it advertised in an estate agent’s window.

I’ve been here for about five months. Before here we lived in a shared house so it’s a relief to finally have some privacy.

Do you like where you live?

Our home is in a small seaside town called Littlehampton. I live near the town, beach and a train station, so it’s really convenient.

I like it because there’s lots of space, it’s near a lot of local amenities.

This flat also has a lot of character, including a Juliet balcony.

She likes how peaceful the seaside town is (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

How have you made the flat feel like home?

I’ve bought a lot of quirky ornaments to make it seem more homely.

Are there any issues with the flat?

No.

Do you have plans to move again?

No, as at the moment as I’m very happy here.

And what about buying a place?

I do not have enough money.

Fair point. Shall we have a look around?

So here’s the entryway (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

The living room (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Adelaide has only lived here for five months, having previously rented in a houseshare (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

That might be why things look a bit sparse (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

But Adelaide has added plenty of ornaments to make the flat feel like home (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

The kitchen (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

A clock themed around food and tea? We’re into it (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Yes, those magnets are what you think. Yes, we are asking Adelaide why she has them (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Who doesn’t want a rainbow butter dish? (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Adelaide’s bedroom (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

We think Adelaide likes pink (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Oh hey, Audrey (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Oh hi, pink bunny (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

The second room is the baby’s (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Big fan of the sharks (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

The bathroom (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

Yes, there’s a tub (Picture: Scott Ramsey/Metro.co.uk)

And finally, the toothbrushes – complete with a shark (Picture: Scott Ramsey/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.

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.

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