With land at a premium and house prices spiralling, not to mention the cost of living crisis, many people are trying to find ways to buy their first home that won't break the bank.
To that end, Pocket Living offers affordable homes to first-time buyers at prices at least 20 per cent below market value, but there's a catch.
Their recent 'Pocket Homes' build in Croydon has individual flats that measure 38sqm with a width of just 3.5metres - barely any bigger than a Tube train.
Now, MyLondon Journalist Ayokunle Oluwalana decided to test out their new homes in Croydon, and he was in for a surprise and described it as like a Tardis inside.
What do you think about the Pocket Living flats? Let us know in the comments...
Ayokunle said: "Walking into the property you are greeted by communal spaces on both sides, something Jenny Anson, Head of Sales at Pocket Living, says they wanted to pay close attention to.
"With community spirit at the forefront, chatting to your neighbours and fostering harmony, Pocket wants residents to be able to interact and get on with each other. Optimistic thoughts in London I would imagine.
"Jenny showed me to one of the homes and as I walked through the lobby, this felt more like a hotel than a selection of homes to me.
"Wide hallways and identical doors, it felt like I was going to treat myself to a luxurious experience. As I walked through the doors, I found myself not needing to duck my head.
"What was this new feeling? I thought I got lucky so I walked in and out a few times just to confirm and amazingly, these were tall doorways.
"Walking into the kitchen I was greeted by a burst of natural light, something that should be a given but is also becoming rarer with a lot of developments. The home had two large windows in the front room which helped to light up the interior giving it a very homely feel.
"I was instantly amazed at how spacious the home felt. The open-plan living area meant the kitchen was joined to the front room while also maximising the space.
Pocket Living describe their homes as "private, 100 per cent owned homes" that are "available to eligible first-time buyers for at least 20 per cent less than the market value".
They go on to say that the flats are designed to be "community-minded" so occupants have access to "shared spaces such as roof terraces, landscaped gardens and 'communal hubs' to foster a spirit of togetherness."
Ayokunle continued: "The kitchen was big enough for me to bend over and open up multiple cupboard doors as well as the fact I wasn't even close to the ceiling.
"How this place was only 38sqm amazed me as in my head, I imagined it wouldn't be bigger than a Tube carriage and I couldn't have been more wrong.
"The home is big enough for one person but could definitely fit a couple in and if you are an average-sized person, you might even be able to get a pet in.
"The bedroom is big enough to fit a double bed with two bedside tables on either side. If you're feeling fancier, you can even get a king-size bed and sacrifice a bedside table. Again, I didn't need to duck on my entry into the room so this was a major selling point.
"Another large window graces the room providing wonderful light and a nice wake-up call if your alarm fails you.
"The bathroom consists of a shower, sink and toilet, and it doesn't feel too cramped whatsoever.
"The horror images of a fridge right next to a toilet live long in my memory but thankfully at a Pocket Home, you shouldn't encounter a sight like that. I was able to stand in the shower and felt like I wouldn't break anything with my size so that was a big plus. It simply had everything.
For more of the news you care about, straight to your inbox, sign up for one of our daily newsletters here.
"Another problem some have faced with living in London is the lack of open spaces attached to your property. Pocket Living doesn't have that problem. Located on the 9th, 20th and 21st floors are terrace spaces that give residents different viewpoints of the London skyline and an opportunity to relax or basque in the sun.
"On the 20th and 21st floors, you can see the city and Canary Wharf on one side, Crystal Palace in the distance and the greenery of Surrey on the other. The contrast is a beautiful touch and having that option certainly makes living here that bit more appealing.
"Overall, the home is separated into three-different rooms but utilises the space well. My only concern was the fact my phone signal was pretty much non-existent but Jenny mentioned that it could be an issue with new build developments in their initial phases."
Prices on the homes start from £260,000 and are exclusively for first-time buyers who live and work in the borough. They are also at a 20 per cent discount on the local market rate as well as providing owners with 100 per cent ownership.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
