Finding the right room to rent in London can be an exhausting process, as both parties negotiate the ‘get-to-know-you’ minefield.
Hubby and I had decided that we would move south (sarf) of the Thames River to experience a different scene in London. We’d been in East London since we arrived, and although we’d enjoyed the location and funny quirks of our local area, the time had come to find something a little larger.
The only thing in the way: finding the right room to rent.
Having lived in many sharehouses over the years, I think it is safe to say we were well experienced with all types of people; couples, professionals, uni students and idiots who refused to pay rent for months at a time. But, if I asked, would they tell me I was the perfect housemate?
It begs the question: how much information should you give in a room wanted’ ad?
“We are both friendly 26 year old professionals and recently married” had a mixed reaction. 26 = a bit young. Professionals = No parties. Married = possibly boring homebodies, never leaving the house.
I felt the need to add a little more information and mention that we were tidy, sociable, professionals. However, I strategically forgot the bit about hubby leaving his shoes in the middle of the doorway, and that he is an Aussie Arsenal supporter who can scull a beer in less than 30 seconds. I also didnt want to spoil the vibe by mentioning that neither of us like reality TV or that I have very limited cooking abilities (vegemite toasties are my specialty). Let’s just get to the meet and greet stage first.
On the other hand, ‘room for rent’ ads are often equally difficult to decipher.
When someone states: “we don’t want someone who will stay in their room all the time”, does this mean I have to watch awful TV with them in the lounge room, struggling not to gouge out my own eyes?
How clean and tidy do they want me to be?
If you advertise you are down the road from the pub, does that mean you like to spend all of your time there, or does it mean that it is a really noisy area and you will never get to sleep?
And please let me know how 7 people can fit comfortably in a 3 bed, 1 bath flat!
In between houses we couch surfed with a very generous friend we met in London. I tried to show our thanks by cooking my delicious Spag Bol — the only thing I can cook after ten years of perfecting it.
In what turned out to be another #typicaljacquiday, it turns out that you can’t use any old fry pan on the so-new-it-has-never-been-used Bosch glass ceramic cook top.
Perhaps I am not the perfect flatmate after all…
Check out Jacqui’s own website NeverEndingHoneymoon.net
TOP IMAGE: Via Shutterstock.com