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Graduates shock at £500 a month London ‘room’ that’s a cupboard under the stairs

DUBBED the ‘Harry Potter’ experience, one university graduate got more than she was expecting whilst on a London property viewing.

 

When Alex Lomax, 23, from Worcester, replied to an advertisement for a ‘room’ to rent in Clapham, south west London for £500pcm, little did she know the shock that was in store for her when she viewed the property.

Posted online by a private landlord on the property website London2Let, the description read: “We are looking for a friendly, open-minded and outgoing person to join our houseshare in a great period house in Clapham.”

“We’re a good bunch and like to chill out a lot together – not really looking for somebody that just wants to stay in their room. Room comes with a bed. Bills to be shared – approx. £60 per month each.”

Upon viewing the property a shocked Alex Lomax took to Twitter to share her experience of the property viewing…

She said: “I have literally just been shown a bed under the stairs for £500 a month. F you London! #nothanks #privetdrive!?”

I have literally just been shown a bed under the stairs for £500 a month. F you London! #nothanks #privetdrive!? pic.twitter.com/Rj73NUwz9S

— Alex Lomax (@alex_lomax) September 30, 2015

 

Yes. That’s correct. The room advertisement is believed to be for a ‘furnished’ cupboard under the stairs.

The 'cosy' London cupboard under-the-stairs - Photo: @alex_lomax (Twitter)

The ‘cosy’ London cupboard under the stairs – Photo: @alex_lomax (Twitter)


Complete with overhead storage and walk in cloakroom - Photo: @alex_lomax (Twitter)

Complete with overhead storage and walk in cloakroom – Photo: @alex_lomax (Twitter)


Even room for some Daz as well! - Photo: @alex_lomax (Twitter)

Even room for some Daz – bargain! – Photo: @alex_lomax (Twitter)

After viewing the property Alex said:

“I didn’t even stay long enough to check if there was a mattress, and the landlord seemed absolutely serious.

“I asked him if he was joking and he seemed shocked I’d even asked.

“I took the pics secretly when he was making himself a cup of coffee, the cupboard was right next to the kitchen.

“I expected a normal single room, definitely not this. I left as quickly as I could.”

Speaking to Mirror Online, Alex said:

“I was shocked and wish I’d been madder, to be honest.

“I left as quickly as possible and said something like ‘it’s not right for me’. Quite annoyed at myself.

“I think the guy said there were three other flat mates but I didn’t meet anybody else.

“I’m moving to London to look for work in journalism.

“It did not seem too bad on the advert but it is absolutely the worst place I think I’ve ever seen.

“I will think again about looking at places without pictures.”

The advert states that they are “not really looking for somebody that just wants to stay in their room” which is quite good really considering there’s only enough room for a single mattress and box of Daz!

Sympathy soon started to pour in for the would-be tenant – the majority of which comprised of Harry Potter jokes:


Alexandra Erin@alexandraerin

@alex_lomax @LibrarianBoi Do they at least market it as a Harry Potter experience?

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Pete Allison@Pete_Allison

@alex_lomax Is use of the Daz stored next to the bed included?

22

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Chérie City@cheriecity

@alex_lomax @kevmarmol "not really looking for somebody that just wants to stay in their room" - well it's not like you really could, ha!

22

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Fatima Wahab@FatiWahab

@alex_lomax @mushenska look on the bright side; maybe you'll get a letter from hogwarts.

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21 people are talking about this

 

We’re struggling to come to terms with this if we’re honest and as there are no pictures included on the property listing we can’t be sure as to whether this IS a genuine property listing, or not. We sincerely hope it isn’t!

True or not though, this listing found by The Telegraph on Gumtree does appear to be genuine and has in fact been marketed as a ‘Harry Potter’ experience.

The description reads: “This enchanting single bedroom waits for a new tenant eager to live in a marvelous neighborhood. The room is located on the 1st floor of a typical fancy Victorian style house. Just 5-7 minutes walk from either Angel or Highbury & Islington tube, the property is close to a vast array of restaurants, bars, coffee houses, and boutiques are just moments away.”

“Despite its central location the flat is surprisingly quiet as the room resides under the stairs of this stunning architect designed flat. A charm for nostalgic fans of Harry Potter! Equipped with fitted wardrobe.”

'Cosy' cupboard under-the-stairs in Islington, London. Photo: Gumtree

‘Cosy’ cupboard under the stairs in Islington, London. Photo: Gumtree

If you’re up for the “Harry Potter” experience, then maybe London is the place to be…

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