What I Rent: I’m paying £1,250 for my Acton flat — but a little-known scheme means I’ll buy it in three years
Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK and further afield.
Last week, we visited Maisy Dewey and Harrison Kent, who moved to London from Philadelphia last year.
As they struggled to find a pet-friendly property that would accommodate their dog, Kipper Von Spot, they took the plunge and rented a houseboat on the Thames.
This week, we’re back on dry land in West London having a nosy around 25-year-old Tia Costell’s two-bedroom flat in Acton, for which she pays £1,250 per month.
Tia had been renting a smaller, more expensive place in Brentford and, feeling deflated at the thought of potentially never getting on the property ladder in London – that is, until she stumbled across a deal that would allow her to put away money to buy her flat after three years of renting.
Here’s what Tia had to say about her renting journey…
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a hair and makeup artist, and I’m driven by my passion for beauty and my faith in Jesus. My work is about more than just appearance – it’s about bringing light and positivity to others.
How much do you pay to live here?
£1,250 per month in rent (or around £1,500 including bills).
And what do you get for what you pay?
A two-bedroom apartment at SO Flexi Acton measuring 700 square feet. It’s a three-year contract and it’s under the London Living Rent scheme, funded by the Mayor, which means that I get a reduced rent price so I can put more money away to save for a deposit.
Do you feel like you have a good deal?
I honestly cried when I moved into the apartment. For the first time in my life, I have a place that I can afford to live in, and a realistic plan to get on the property ladder at the end of my tenancy.
I’m saving £250 on rent alone each month compared to my last flat – and this is a bigger place! The money is going straight into my savings account to build up my deposit. I could never have saved that kind of money living in my old flat in Brentford.
Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?
Within Acton Park Conservation Area, SO Flexi Acton is surrounded by leafy streets, green open spaces, and historic architecture. On the nearby high street there are shops, cafes and restaurants.
There’s also great transport links – there’s actually eight stations altogether, on Underground and Overground lines, and national rail too. I can get into central London within about half an hour, which is great.
How did you find this property?
I found it online – I loved the area and the property as a whole; they’ve really created a beautiful quiet space in London. It just feels nice and residential.
How have you made this place feel like home? What’s your interior design inspiration?
I absolutely love to decorate, and furnishing was literally a dream for me. I love the Scandi style so the white walls are a perfect canvas for me and I’ve been able hang things up on the wall too.
What’s your favourite room and why?
The open-plan living room/kitchen. I love to host so this space just means everything. My four-seater table extends to a 10 which is excellent for having my family and friends round. I love how much light comes in.
What do you love to do in your flat?
I absolutely love to host Bible studies, have friends and family over for dinner parties, and do fun activities like painting.
What would you like to have but don’t with this flat?
There’s nothing that immediately stands out, maybe just parking with the property, but to be honest it’s not been an issue. The actual flat itself is more than I could ever thought or imagined. I’m beyond thankful that I get to call this place home.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Being a hair and makeup artist means I have a lot of kit so the fact I have so much storage space and the extra bedroom has been really useful.
Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?
No, I love it.
Do you have any plans to move again any time soon? What about buying a place?
The purpose of LLR is to purchase a flat at the end of the tenancy agreement with a deposit made up from the savings.
My minimum 5% deposit goal is £9,000, so I agreed with SO Resi to save £3,000 each year – that’s really achievable for me, and I plan to go over and above that target, so I hopefully have a bigger deposit when the time comes to buy.
I have agreed to check in with SO Resi each year to make sure that I am still on track with my savings. With London Living Rent, you have to demonstrate that you can’t afford to buy the property now but would be able to in a few years.
I knew that my earnings made me mortgage-eligible, but I didn’t have enough savings to buy with Shared Ownership, so London Living Rent would help me get into a financial position to put down a deposit.
I was slightly concerned that being self-employed would affect my eligibility, particularly as I am renting by myself, but that wasn’t the case at all.