Charlotte shares a three-bedroom house in Balham with her boyfriend and two friends (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Sure, watching Marie Kondo make people chuck stuff away is cool, but have you ever tried just looking at the reality of people’s living spaces?

That’s far more fun, if you ask us.

That’s a tiny part of why we launched What I Rent, a weekly series that takes you inside a different person’s rented property, mould, damp, and all.

The other, larger part is because renting can be bloody awful, and we reckon it’s important to get real about what people are paying and what they’re getting in return.


So come for the toothbrush shots, stay for the misery of paying hundreds just so you can live near a Tube station.



This week we’re hanging out with Charlotte Mullin, who you might also know as Chuck Draws Things. She lives in Balham in a shared house with her boyfriend and two friends.

She pays £650 a month for a room with her boyfriend (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

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

£650 a month, and around £50 a month in bills.

And what do you get for that?

It’s three bedroom, two bathroom, with one bathroom as an en-suite.

How did you end up living with this group?

I’ve lived here around six months now.

I live with my boyfriend, who I’ve been with for almost three years and lived with for around half of that; his friend from uni, who lived with us in our last flat for a year, and his friend from work.

They’re all great to live with, except for the fact I’m constantly outnumbered when it comes to what’s on telly, which is always football.

I think one of my housemates found it on Rightmove, or one of those kinds of sites.

Charlotte says it’s the biggest place she’s rented (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Do you like where you live?

I love where I live! My flat is in a quiet residential area, but it’s only five minutes walk from the tube and Balham high road, which has loads of good shops and restaurants.

I’m also really close to Wandsworth Common, which is a great spot for when we puppysit for our friends!

Do you feel like you have enough space?

Definitely – it’s the largest flat I’ve ever lived in.

How have you made the house feel like a home?

Lots of books, blankets, and plants! I’ve got cacti and two succulents.

So she’s happy to put up with a 40 minute commute (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Do you have any issues with the house?

Nothing major, it’s pretty great! The only thing I can think of is I have the upstairs bedroom and it takes ages for hot water to come up to our bathroom.

Any plans to move again?

I don’t want to move again for a good long while, this place is perfect.

If I did have to move, I’d maybe like something a bit closer to my work – it’s about forty mins on the tube or an hour’s cycle, which isn’t bad, but could be a bit better! I’m lazy.



And… what about buying a place?

*laughs in millennial*

Shall we have a look around Charlotte’s shared house?

The living room has plenty of space for the four people living in the house (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

The only downside of house-sharing? Charlotte is outnumbered when it comes to what’s on the TV (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

A strong DVD collection (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

And a fancy fireplace (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Here’s the kitchen and dining area, which doubles as storage for bikes (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Nice, right? (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

We approve of that collection of herbs (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Charlotte’s room with her boyfriend is upstairs (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Their room has an en-suite bathroom (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

It’s on the top floor, so it does take a while for the hot water to reach them (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

See that illustration? Charlotte did that (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Here’s their bathroom (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

With a proper bath! (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

(Picture: Susannah Ireland/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.

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MORE: What I Rent: Carlie and her daughter, £1,500 a month for a two-bedroom flat in Streatham Hill

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