Traditionally, ads for flats on Gumtree are a string of sentences designed to lure in the naive and hopeful. You’ll see them online using deceptive adjectives to tart up every shortfall. But not this advert on Gumtree. This room is "shit". Just "shit".

The advert for the apartment in Mile End boasts "Shit room to rent in East London!!!", and goes on to say that not only is there the one shit room for a lucky prospective tenant, but three shit rooms on offer at a cost of £120 per week.

It describes the rooms’ contents with a similar candour: "The wardrobe is broke on the top, tha mattress doesn’t match with the base."

Letting agent Luis Swarovski told the Evening Standard that the advert aimed to be an honest reflection of the current state of the property, but wants to reassure any future tenants that things would be a lot better before they moved in.

He said: "I described it like that because of the present condition. Obviously if someone moves in it will not be like that anymore."

The sincerity of the ad is kind of refreshing. I want to know what I’m getting. If I’m turning up to a house viewing, I want to be aware I’m walking into a world of shit, not conned into thinking I’m about to occupy the utopia of all rented accommodations. After the room that was a tiny shed in a living room, I want cold, hard, unflinching description. It might be a totally "shit" room but at least it’s upfront about it.