Phoebe Rudd is a 22-year-old student. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Look, we’re nosy people and love few things more than closely analysing the details of another person’s life.

So yes, that’s part of why we do What I Rent, a weekly series that shows you all the details of a place someone rents in London.

But the other reason we do it is probably more important.

Renting in London is a glorious mix of confusion, stress, and grotty toilets.


It’s not clear how much we should be paying and what we should expect, and there’s such a wide discrepancy between flats of the same price that it’s tricky to know if you’re getting screwed over.



Seriously, try going to a few flat viewings with a set budget. You’ll find tiny box rooms and massive loft apartments at the same price. It’s baffling.

We like to look at other people’s renting situations to make things a bit clearer, providing an alternative view to all the artfully angled listings on RightMove.

This week we’re heading to Phoebe Rudd’s flat in Kentish Town

Phoebe pays £1,300 a month for a one-bedroom flat in Kentish Town. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Tell us about yourself, Phoebe.

I’m 22. I’m predominantly a full-time student at The London School of Economics, but have worked throughout my degree as a researcher for The Economist and at a start-up in London.

I also model and recently competed in Miss England.

Lovely. And how much money are you paying in rent?

My rent is £1,300pcm.

What about bills?

I’m a nightmare and scared to look, but it’s around £100pcm with water, electricity, and internet.

I don’t pay council tax due to student status which helps a lot.

And what do you get for your money?

There’s a big hallway which doubles up as my street-found art gallery, plus one double bedroom, a bathroom and a huge space with the kitchen, dining area and living room which is separated by a wooden beam/pillar thing. It’s a sexy flat.

She works alongside studying to fund her rent and bills. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

What do you think of what you’re paying? Is it within budget?

Considering the location and what you get for your money, it’s excellent.

Having said that, it’s a lot to pay as a student and I’ve definitely sacrificed studying for working at some points to make it work, but that’s central London for you.

When I graduate this summer I’ll have to start paying council tax, but then again I’ll also be working full time so that should mitigate against the extra cost.

I don’t rely on the bank of Mum and Dad which I’m really proud of, but they still think I’m deluded for not getting a dodgy flat share in Zone 5 and saving money that way.

She found the place after living in a three bedroom flat in the same building. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

How did you find this place?

It’s actually a really funny story. My flat is in the loft of an old Georgian house, but for two years I lived with friends in the three bedroom flat downstairs.



I was mates with the couple who lived here before me, who had some crazy parties with some famous faces, so we were always popping in and out of each others’ flats.

They were really sad when they had to move out, and I didn’t want to upset them when I said I was moving in in case it looked like a slap in the face, so for weeks I was secretly liaising with the estate agent.

In the end I told them and it turned out they were really happy about it, plus it was the easiest move in history just being up one flight of stairs.

Phoebe’s room has plenty of storage. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

What’s the area like?

I live in Kentish Town, sort of equidistant between Camden Market and Hampstead Heath. It’s really leafy and surrounded by pubs and bars.

I absolutely love it. It’s got a great community feel and there are heaps of independent coffee shops and art galleries, plus it’s surrounded by green space like Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park.

At first I loved being so close to Camden Market, but the novelty wears off after a while as it’s constantly packed (also I think I’m just getting old and uncool).

It’s home to some great bars and pubs such as The Lord Stanley, and I promised to shout out Ladies & Gents – easily the best bar in London and where you’ll find me most weekends.

And are you happy with your flat?


I’m constantly working on it. I promised myself when I moved in that I’d never spend money on furniture or art, so a lot of the things in here I’ve found on FreeCycle or just left in the street.

It means I’m now the proud owner of some weird stuff, like a giant silver glitterball, a phrenology skull, a vintage shisha pipe and a hallway full of questionable original art.

I have these ridiculously large cupboards stretching right the way round the flat. If times get rough the one in the bathroom is probably big enough to rent out as an ensuite double. I’m joking, I swear…

And there’s space for some personal touches. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Any bad bits?

The building’s really old and I think it’s got lost in translation as to who’s meant to look after the communal areas, so they’re a bit heroin-chic.

When I moved in there was a problem with the plumbing under the bath which I didn’t know about, so when I ran a bath it ended up flooding everything beneath me, including the poor bloke downstairs’ bedroom.

I think everyone now thinks I’m the crazy girl in the attic who flooded the stairwell, but alas. Onwards and upwards.

Do you have any plans to move again?

Not unless I really have to. I’ve been in the same building for nearly three years so it feels like home now.

If I moved again I’d like it to be into the first property I’m able to buy.


The only pull is the fact that all my friends and family live in South London, but I’m working on convincing them to cross the river.

Have you considered buying a place?

Definitely. I want to be on some kind of help-to-buy scheme by the time I’m 30.

That may seem hopelessly unrealistic, but then again I’ve been a full-time student and managed this place well enough, so I do believe it’s doable if you’re clever about it.

Having said that, I bet that goal gets pushed back – 30, then 35, then 40.

Right then. Shall we have a look at Phoebe’s flat?

Yes, that is a second sofa in the back. Don’t ask us why. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Maybe one’s a TV sofa and one’s purely for relaxing? (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

There’s space for a dining table, too. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Phoebe’s picked up a bunch of stuff on FreeCycle. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Oh look, now she’s sitting on her second sofa. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

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

The table is always set for guests. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

The hallway is filled with art Phoebe’s picked up. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

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

We do like that lit-up wire thing. Very Pinterest. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

The kitchen. Casual. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Phoebe in her bedroom. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

See all that storage space? (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

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

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

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

The bathroom is pretty spacious. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

See? There’s even a seat to perch on. (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

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

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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