{"id":366738,"date":"2025-08-23T08:06:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T08:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/366738\/"},"modified":"2025-08-23T08:06:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T08:06:57","slug":"what-i-rent-i-pay-915-pcm-to-live-in-my-london-home-it-gets-mice-but-it-heals-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/366738\/","title":{"rendered":"What I Rent: I pay \u00a3915 pcm to live in my London home \u2014 it gets mice, but it ‘heals’ me"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Lillianne
\n\t\tThis week, we\u2019re in London visiting 28-year-old Lillianne Margaret (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

Welcome back to\u00a0<\/strong>What I Rent<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Metro\u2019s\u00a0tenant diary<\/a>\u00a0series exploring what\u00a0<\/strong>renting<\/a>\u00a0is like in the UK.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When 28-year-old Lillianne Margaret moved to London<\/a> in 2019, it was the first time she\u2019d ever lived away from her native New Jersey, USA.<\/p>\n

After three years of hopping between flats, she finally found the one in 2022.<\/p>\n

Eagerly putting in a bid for a room in an Archway four-bed, she was beaten to it by another tenant<\/a>. But, either luck or fate intervened, and Lillianne ended up moving in anyway.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what she had to say about her renting journey\u2026<\/p>\n

Tell us about yourself!<\/p>\n

I moved to London<\/a> from the USA six and a half years ago. It was the first time I\u2019d ever moved away from home. I play softball, I sing, read, dance, hike, enjoy live music, and go to raves.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tReady to start your homebuying journey?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Award winning service from the UK\u2019s leading mortgage broker<\/p>\n

\u2013 Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week<\/p>\n

\u2013 Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market<\/p>\n

Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won\u2019t charge you a fee for their advice.<\/p>\n

Find out how much you could borrow online<\/a><\/p>\n

Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.<\/p>\n

I work in a behavioural neuroscience lab as a manager of research technicians. I have a great group of friends here in London, and we go on weekends away together when we can.<\/p>\n

What kind of property do you rent and how long have you been there?\u202f<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve lived in a four-bedroom terraced house for the past three years.<\/p>\n

How much do you pay to live here?<\/p>\n

\u00a3790 a month excluding bills, which come to about \u00a3125.<\/p>\n

And what do you get for what you pay?<\/p>\n

The house is very spacious. I have a double room, a living room, a garden, and a big kitchen.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great deal, although I\u2019m always scared the landlord is going to jack up the prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne feels she has plenty of space (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
\nWhat do you love most about your living situation?<\/p>\n

I love hanging out with my flatmates, playing board games, sitting and reading in the garden, or just vegging in front of the TV. We love making house dinners together too, where I appreciate their good cooking.<\/p>\n

I want to go home at the end of the day. I feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. I grew up in a difficult home, and I feel like this house is healing things in me.<\/p>\n

Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?<\/p>\n

I live in Archway, and I love the area. We have Waterlow Park nearby, and there\u2019s a market in the square on Saturdays.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re spoilt for good pub options. My favourites are a little hole-in-the-wall pub called\u00a0The Charlotte Despard, and a great pub quiz at the\u00a0Oak and Pastor.<\/p>\n

I love that we have an Aldi, and there\u2019s also an organic shop and coffee cart near the station. The area is also well connected for work in central London.\u00a0<\/p>\n

My least favourite thing is probably the hills \u2013 it\u2019s good exercise when you want it, but when you\u2019re tired or travelling with a suitcase, I could really do without.<\/p>\n

How did you find this property?<\/p>\n

Through a SpareRoom advert. I originally viewed this house and thought it went great, so I was gutted when the current tennants chose someone else.<\/p>\n

But a month later, the person they\u2019d chosen decided to move out. The housemates remembered me, and they messaged to ask if I was still interested. Of course, I said yes immediately.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tShe njoys singings, reading and hiking (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
\nHow have you made this place feel like home?<\/p>\n

We either buy furniture, or use Freecycle \u2013 we\u2019ve also collected lots of free things from the side of the road.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a very sentimental person, so my bedroom is decorated with pictures and things I have collected throughout my life.<\/p>\n

My room is eclectic and colourful, as is the rest of the house. When I first asked my flatmates about their bedroom aesthetics, their answers were \u2018unsifted back room of a charity shop\u2019, \u2018bedroom of a gay 1950s teenager\u2019, and \u2018fossilised snapshot of a 1930s alcoholic antiquarian.\u2019<\/p>\n

Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting?<\/p>\n

Our landlord is pretty chill. We try to use easy-to-remove methods like Command Strips or Blu Tack, but we have some freedom to do what we like.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Do you feel like you have enough space?<\/p>\n

Yes, definitely. I can even to do a workout in my room. The house itself is big enough for living with other people, and any noise doesn\u2019t travel that much.<\/p>\n

What would you like to have, but don\u2019t with this home?<\/p>\n

I would love a tumble dryer because there are quite a few of us in the house and only so much room for clothes-airers. And I love a fluffy, warm towel! <\/p>\n

Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?<\/p>\n

We had a mouse problem last winter, and we have ants in the summer. Also, the bathroom didn\u2019t have an extractor fan for a while, so we had some mould in there.<\/p>\n

Right now, we have a leak from the bathroom into the kitchen, so we have to be mindful when showering.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tShe found her flat on Spare Room (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
\nWhat are your biggest property non-negotiables when looking?<\/p>\n

Well-connected for transport and some type of shared living space. I spend a lot of time in my room, but I want to be able to crawl out of my hole and hang out with people when I can.<\/p>\n

Do you have plans to move again anytime soon? What about buying a place?<\/p>\n

I have no plans to move out right now. I\u2019m the youngest of six, so there\u2019s something about housesharing to me that feels comforting.<\/p>\n

I want to live on my own at some point, but I can\u2019t afford much more right now. As for buying, that is so far in the future for me that I don\u2019t really think about it. Also, being from the USA, there is always a question of whether I will move back there, but only time will tell.<\/p>\n

Shall we take a look around?<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tWhat a lovely colourful home! (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne has lived in Archway for the last three years (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tShe feels grateful to have so much space in London (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tShe loves hanging out with her housemates (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026they spend many an evening in front of the TV (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThey also often cook dinner together (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tNow this is an impressive-looking rug (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tIs that a painting easel we spy? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tWho needs one disco ball when you could have seven? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThere\u2019s space for a tiny home office, too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThey\u2019re minutes away from an Aldi, as well as Waterlow Park (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThey\u2019re spoilt for pub options in the local area too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne first found her room through a SpareRoom advert (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tShe originally put an offer in, but it was rejected (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026but when the previous housemate fell through, she moved in (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tShe considers herself very lucky to live where she does (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tImagine the dinner parties you could host here? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe bunting adds a fun touch, too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tFancy a cocktail? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe friends have the occasional house party (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026and they often have their pals over for sleepovers (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe vision of renting in London in your 20s (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tIt\u2019s the classic toothbrush shot (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tPlants often thrive in a humid space like a bathroom (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026and that one in the corner is plant goals (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThey either buy or use Freecycle to source new furniture (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tIt\u2019s another classic vision of a London household: bikes galore (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThere are yet more bikes in here (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tTheir landlord is pretty relaxed about them decorating (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t(Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tWhat a spot for a piano (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne feels comforted when she\u2019s housesharing (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026as growing up one of six children, she\u2019s used to a busy house (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tWe spy another piano in the corner (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne would love to live on her own at some point (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026but for the moment, housesharing is all she can afford (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tMaximalism is certainly the vibe in here, and we love it (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tSpot the record player (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne likes her eclectic household\u2019s interior style (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe fake flowers on the curtain rail are a nice touch (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tAnd finally, welcome to Lillianne\u2019s bedroom (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tHer favourite piece of furniture is her bed (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026which a previous housemate gifted to her after they moved out (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne has decorated with sentimental pictures (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\t\u2026as well as things she\u2019s been given by friends and family (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe household have also decorated with things from the road (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tHer housemates have decorated in the style of a \u2018charity shop\u2019 (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tAs well as a \u20181930s alcoholic antiquarian\u2019 (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe only thing Lillianne doesn\u2019t like about the area is the hills (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tWe\u2019ll certainly be needing a fan in this heat (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tA private garden in London is a true treat (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThe housemates love spending time here, too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tLillianne says she \u2018loves living here\u2019 because \u2018it feels like home\u2019 (Picture: Belinda Jiao)<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n

\t\t\tComments
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

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Sign up for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This week, we\u2019re in London visiting 28-year-old Lillianne Margaret (Picture: Belinda Jiao) Welcome back to\u00a0What I Rent\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Metro\u2019s\u00a0tenant diary\u00a0series…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":366739,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7757],"tags":[748,393,4884,6333,388,257,2516,1270,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-366738","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-london","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-housing","12":"tag-lifestyle","13":"tag-london","14":"tag-property","15":"tag-renting","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115077058783456812","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=366738"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/366738\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/366739"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=366738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=366738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=366738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}