what i rent: i pay £915 pcm to live in my london home — it gets mice, but it 'heals' me

This week,we’re in London visiting 28-year-old Lillianne Margaret (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK.

When 28-year-old Lillianne Margaret moved to London in 2019,it was the first time she’d ever lived away from her native New Jersey,USA.

After three years of hopping between flats,she finally found the one in 2022.

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

Here’s what she had to say about her renting journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I moved to London from the USA six and a half years ago. It was the first time I’d ever moved away from home. I play softball,I sing,read,dance,hike,enjoy live music,and go to raves.

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I want to live on my own at some point,but I can’t afford much more right now. As for buying,that is so far in the future for me that I don’t 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.

Shall we take a look around?

What a lovely colourful home! (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne has lived in Archway for the last three years (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

She feels grateful to have so much space in London (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

She loves hanging out with her housemates (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…they spend many an evening in front of the TV (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

They also often cook dinner together (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Now this is an impressive-looking rug (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Is that a painting easel we spy? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Who needs one disco ball when you could have seven? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

There’s space for a tiny home office,too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

They’re minutes away from an Aldi,as well as Waterlow Park (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

They’re spoilt for pub options in the local area too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne first found her room through a SpareRoom advert (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

She originally put an offer in,but it was rejected (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…but when the previous housemate fell through,she moved in (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

She considers herself very lucky to live where she does (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Imagine the dinner parties you could host here? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The bunting adds a fun touch,too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Fancy a cocktail? (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The friends have the occasional house party (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…and they often have their pals over for sleepovers (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The vision of renting in London in your 20s (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

It’s the classic toothbrush shot (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Plants often thrive in a humid space like a bathroom (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…and that one in the corner is plant goals (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

They either buy or use Freecycle to source new furniture (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

It’s another classic vision of a London household: bikes galore (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

There are yet more bikes in here (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Their landlord is pretty relaxed about them decorating (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

(Picture: Belinda Jiao)

What a spot for a piano (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne feels comforted when she’s housesharing (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…as growing up one of six children,she’s used to a busy house (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

We spy another piano in the corner (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne would love to live on her own at some point (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…but for the moment,housesharing is all she can afford (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Maximalism is certainly the vibe in here,and we love it (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Spot the record player (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne likes her eclectic household’s interior style (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The fake flowers on the curtain rail are a nice touch (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

And finally,welcome to Lillianne’s bedroom (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Her favourite piece of furniture is her bed (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…which a previous housemate gifted to her after they moved out (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne has decorated with sentimental pictures (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

…as well as things she’s been given by friends and family (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The household have also decorated with things from the road (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Her housemates have decorated in the style of a ‘charity shop’ (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

As well as a ‘1930s alcoholic antiquarian’ (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The only thing Lillianne doesn’t like about the area is the hills (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

We’ll certainly be needing a fan in this heat (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

A private garden in London is a true treat (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

The housemates love spending time here,too (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

Lillianne says she ‘loves living here’ because ‘it feels like home’ (Picture: Belinda Jiao)

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