What I Rent: ‘I pay £1,925 for a one-bed flat but it revived my social life after divorce’
There is no bias in the original title provided.
Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series that explores what renting is like in the UK and further afield.
Last week, we chatted to 43-year-old Lorelei Mathias who owns her mermaid-themed one-bed in Brighton. Lorelei uses this as her writing retreat, a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of East London, where her main residence is.
This week, we’re in Greenford, North West London, having a nosy around Anil Vaswani’s apartment. Living in a waterfront neighbourhood, Anil has connected with a community through the events hosted by his building, from cinema nights to gym sessions.
Tell us about yourself!
I’m Anil Vaswani and I currently work as a project manager at a payment technology firm. I live on my own at Greenford Quay, having moved to the area over a year ago after separating from my wife. My young son comes to stay with me two times a week.
How much do you pay to live here?
£1,925.
And what do you get for what you pay?
I’m in a one-bedroom flat, which includes a double bedroom, en-suite bathroom, kitchen and lounge.
On top of this, I get access to all of the amenities included within my rental price – including private dining spaces, a resident’s gym, an on-site movie theatre and co-working spaces.
I’m also able to access the integrated facilities in the wider Greenford Quay development including BBQ areas and landscaped gardens, which have elevated my family’s lifestyle. My parents live just around the corner, so it’s great to be able to host them in the communal spaces.
Do you feel like you have a good deal?
I do feel as though I get value for money. The cost of signing up for the range of amenities I get access to, such as the gym and co-working spaces individually would definitely outweigh the cost which is included in my rent.
Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?
I’ve always lived in and around North West London – and grew up down the road in Sudbury Town, but I do have some extended family who live in both Malaysia and the Philippines.
I love the area and have met some great people and made lifelong friends. I love Greenford because it is my home and the huge amount of green space around the development allows me to take advantage of the local beauty of the area when hosting family and friends.
In addition, the proximity to transport links has made it easier to commute to work.
How did you find this property?
My interest in Greenford Quay started when I would walk past the development daily during my lunch breaks, however, it was my divorce that acted as a catalyst for seeking a fresh start.
The positive energy the development emanated from both the residents and the onsite team further fuelled my decision to make it my new home.
How have you made this place feel like home?
The extensive array of facilities has meant that I have been able to enjoy hosting BBQs and dinners for friends and family. I also regularly attend the community events in the building, such as cinema events or food trucks along the canal.
This has allowed me to meet new people which was really helpful for me as I was making a fresh start in life when I moved in. I’ve met a really diverse and interesting group of people since joining the community.
Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting? Is your landlord happy with you doing bits?
The beauty of Greenford Quay is that the flat comes mostly furnished, which made it easy when I moved in. With this being said, I do have the option to make the space my own, decorating it myself if I want to.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Inside, I definitely have enough space for me and my young son and having access to the wider amenities and outdoor spaces means that I never feel short on space or cooped in.
Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?
There are very rarely issues within my flat and if the case does ever arise the onsite team and concierge are often quick to resolve them.
I regard some of the onsite team as friends due to their friendly nature, and they are always accommodating of me and my son’s needs.
Do you have plans to move again any time soon? What about buying a place?
It has been over a year since I moved into Greenford Quay, and I’m now nice and settled.
I do have the aspiration to buy one day, however, the convenience of a build-to-rent development such as this works well for me at the moment, as I’m close to my parents, wider family, and son.
Shall we take a look around?
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What I Rent: ‘I pay £1,925 for a one bed flat but it revived my social life after divorce’