A homeowner has been berated for trying to rent out what appears to be a shed at the end of their garden for almost £1,300 a month.
The shocking rental, located at the bottom of a garden on Church Manorway in Abbey Wood, south London, garnered fury from those who saw it advertised, with some blasting anyone who would consider living there as ‘a tool’.
The ‘building’, which looks like it was thrown up from remnants, has been clad in wood and appears to have just a front door and single window.
The size of the flat remains a mystery because there is no floor plan, but from images it looks to be similar to a tiny living room with a kitchen and shower room off to the side. Tenants would presumably sleep on a sofa that can be extended to make a bed.
As well as the £1,299 it would cost every month to rent the home, the agents, Frestons, are asking for a £1,614 deposit with a holding deposit of £322.84.
A homeowner has been slammed for trying to rent out what appears to be a shed in south London
Estate agents Frestons have listed the property as costing £1,299 every month to rent
Here is a view from the ‘shed’ studio, where you can see the dog kennel to the left
That would mean anyone moving in would likely pay £2,913 before even receiving the keys, assuming the holding deposit was refunded or kept as part of the main deposit.
The sad-looking annexe is at the end of the owner’s garden in a decked area with a large dog kennel nearby.
A description of the property states: ‘Frestons are pleased to market this outstanding studio annexe in Abbey Wood, SE2.
‘Equidistant to Abbey Wood and Plumstead stations, the property is superbly located to benefit from quick and easy travel across the city, as well as the many amenities Abbey Wood and Plumstead have to offer.
‘Briefly comprising bedroom and living space, kitchen and bathroom, the studio benefits from a large garden and parking. Offered to market immediately, early viewings are highly recommended.’
The rules around renting out annexes can be tricky. Renting one out as a separate dwelling constitutes a ‘material change of use’ meaning the annexe is no longer serving its original purpose as an ancillary extension of the main dwelling.
The property listing reads: ‘Briefly comprising bedroom and living space, kitchen and bathroom, the studio benefits from a large garden and parking’
Tenants appear as though they would need to sleep on a sofa, pictured, that can be extended to make a bed
People were quick to share their reaction by commenting on Reddit about the property
‘This is the kind of place that’s ideal only for the owners almost grown kid, or visiting relatives. To charge that kind of money for an out building at the bottom of your garden is obscene. Cheeky greedy f*cks, I hope no-one even views it.’
One said: ‘Obscene is the perfect word to describe it I thought it was a joke at first.’ Another groaned: ‘Imagine the cold in winter…for that price…it’s beyond a joke!’
Instead, it is being used as an independent living space, which triggers full planning considerations. Many people get around this by advertising them on sites like AirBnB as short term rentals.
Those who saw the pad on Reddit said it made them angry, with one declaring: ‘You’d have to be a right tool to live in that.’
‘Ah yes the large wooden garden where you can sit on your planter and wave to the landlord,’ said another.
Here is a look at the bathroom inside the ‘outstanding studio annexe’
Frestons are asking for a £1,614 deposit with a holding deposit of £322.84. Pictured: The washing machine and kitchen area
Another also chimed in: ‘The kennel in the back yard is the icing on the cake!’
Others said they couldn’t believe the local council would approve such a use for the hut. ‘It’s illegal regardless of who’s sleeping there, you can’t live in an outbuilding without permission (unlikely),’ one said.
And one responded: ‘I bet you it doesn’t have planning. You can’t just knock up one of those at the bottom of your garden.’
But another said resignedly: ‘The sad reality is there is no doubt a line of people wanting to rent it.’
