Unveiling the Harsh Truth of Renting in this City: My Experience of Contacting 180 People for Only 6 Viewings

In less than two years, I've lived in four different places.

This is not due to a constant need for new surroundings and no, I do not own four homes. It is because of the rental crisis gripping many major cities across the world - in my case, London.

Jemal Polson

Jemal Polson

I have become experienced at finding a new place to live in a city where demand for rental properties is quickly exceeding availability. My typical house hunt involves joining social media groups, asking friends for leads, and signing up for SpareRoom.com, which is the UK's busiest flat-sharing website with over 14 million registered users.

It was a daunting task. Last summer, as I hunted for a new place to live, I reached out to over 180 people, but only secured six viewings. It seemed almost miraculous when I finally found a place to live.

I am not alone in facing this issue. Just like in the US, the UK is also experiencing a shortage of housing which has led to a significant increase in the number of responses to rental listings, more than tripling in the last four years according to Rightmove's Rental Trends Tracker.

With such high demand and low supply, it often feels like landlords have the upper hand. For instance, I had a landlord who would show up unannounced at my door to inquire about the flat and carry out unrelated administrative tasks, despite being warned not to do so - even though it is prohibited by UK law.

I was forced to leave the flat I lived in during the pandemic after the rent increased by 14% in August. I found a shared apartment in a new area through SpareRoom and moved in with two strangers who were already living there. However, the harmony didn't last long. Within weeks, I was notified that all three of us would have to vacate the apartment because the landlord wanted the property back.

Fortunately, my new roommates and I made the decision to stick together and search for a new residence - this time, in a different area of London that I was not familiar with. The housing crisis requires us to be flexible, and we have to consider whatever options are available in any given area.

A house in Miami, Florida displays a "for rent" sign on July 12, 2023. According to the U.S. consumer price index report, inflation dropped to its lowest annual rate in over two years in June. (Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Thinking about living in London or New York? Well, if you're renting, you'll need all the luck you can get.

Everything seemed great until a sudden lack of communication towards the end of my 12-month lease meant I couldn't renew and would have to find a new place to live - yet again.

Once again, I found myself living on my own as my housemates moved on to the next stages of their relationships. This time around, I had a bit more luck with my online search, reaching out to 160 people and arranging 15 viewings.

While my experience is not unique, I encountered some unexpected obstacles that added an extra layer of difficulty to my search.

As a single individual in both the UK and US, I often find myself paying more for rent and bills compared to those who have live-in partners, as they are able to share the costs between them. Renting a one-bedroom place alone is often too costly for many people, but being in a couple can ease the financial burden by splitting the expenses. It's frustrating to feel penalized for being single.

Furthermore, believe it or not, finding shared housing as a person over 30 became even more challenging. I often came across advertisements on SpareRoom from individuals who were not open to living with someone over the age of 29, and sometimes even younger (I am 33).

I understand if you're in your early 20s, you may not want to live with someone who may be in a different personal and professional stage. But when a 28-year-old says "no over 30s," it's a bit silly.

There were also several ads unwilling to rent rooms to male tenants. Look on the site and see how many "female preferred," "female only," or "we'd like a female for balance" titles and descriptions you see. As limiting as this can be, I understand this one a little bit more. If men weren't so terrible collectively, we would probably have more co-habitual options.

It can also sometimes feel like a first date. Ive asked myself Will this house be the one? Will the tenants and I have enough to talk about? as Ive travelled to the property.

Jemal Polson

Viewing a place is akin to an audition or job interview. Wanting it doesn't guarantee you'll get it. Ultimately, it's the existing tenants or landlord who have the final say.

It can also feel like a first date. I've asked myself, "Will this house be the one?" "Will the tenants and I have enough to talk about?" as I've traveled to the property. A bad viewing can leave you feeling disappointed or dreading it, similar to a bad date.

If you manage to pass this stage, is it even financially feasible? London renters are now shelling out an average of £2,627 ($3,293) per month for rent - a 12.1% increase in just one year. They're also allocating over half of their weekly income to rent.

Furthermore, most new rental agreements demand a security deposit, typically the equivalent of 5 or 6 weeks' worth of rent. This means the average UK renter is paying £3,047 ($3,819) before they even set foot in their new home.

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Many people have it even worse, such as having to outbid others for a rental or being forced to pay just to see a property, and even getting evicted for requesting basic repairs. While I have thought about leaving London, the city offers a wider range of job opportunities compared to other places, and the savings on rent would be offset by the high cost of train travel.

Looking back at a place I lived in three homes ago, it's strange to realize that was just last year. The imbalance of power between renters and owners is too great and needs to be addressed, giving those unable to afford a home greater rights. Regardless of relationship status, age, or gender identity, no one in London escapes the challenges of renting.