Many Londoners would jump at the chance to live in East Sheen, the affluent southwest London suburb sandwiched between the River Thames and Richmond Park. But a studio flat, currently available to rent for £1,000pcm, might change their minds.
A bed, kitchenette, small dining table and shower cubicle (yes, it faces the bed) have been crammed into the tiny studio on Upper Richmond Road. £1,000 per month will not buy you access to a private toilet, though — that’s shared with the flat next door.
Listed by James Anderson, the recently refurbished property is marketed as “a fabulous apartment” with a built-in kitchen and double glazing “throughout”. There is one window in the room, located above the sink.
The shower, conveniently located between the hob and the front door, faces the bed, and is generously described as a “walk-in shower”.
The toilet, the listing states, is “shared with one other flat”.
Judging from the photos, the room is best suited to someone accustomed to living in a compact space.
The double bed lies in the middle of the room, within touching distance of the fridge, sink and electric hob. On the other side is the dining table, which will need to be moved if the tenant wants to access their wardrobe, tucked in the corner.
The studio also contains kitchen cabinets, a microwave washing machine, chest of drawers and the window.
Interested tenants will need to let the flat for a minimum of 12 months and pay a deposit of £1,153.84. The £1,000 monthly rent covers bills, including council tax.
The listing also emphasises the concentration of popular schools in the area, although this is not the most traditional ‘family home’.
Soaring demand for rental accommodation in London is driving up costs throughout the capital, while there are fewer homes available to rent.
In April, another bedsit without a private toilet was listed to rent for £1,240pcm, while a studio in Earls Court, listed for £1,279pcm, placed the bed in a storage area under the ceiling. A studio on Hanger Lane with the bed inside a wardrobe was advertised for £1,150pcm.
A spokesperson for London Renters Union commented on the latter: “Lately, almost anything can be called a studio flat in London’s wild west rental market. Whether it’s a lack of space or a lack of basic amenities, our rigged housing system has turned a decent home into a luxury for many.”
“At the acute end of the market, rising rents and a failure to invest in social housing have pushed many into dangerously overcrowded conditions.”
