What I Rent: We’re students and we pay £2,600 for our Ealing three-bed

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

When Henry and his flatmate Ross started looking for new student digs, they knew they needed something relatively near their university.

After looking around as many as 15 options, they landed on a three-bedroom flat, which they share with another flatmate, for £2,600.

They moved in in August 2025, and have since made the place their own – mainly with a combination of hand-me-down furniture from their families, and pre-loved options perused in charity shops.

Here’s what Henry had to say about his renting situation…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Henry, I was born in Norwich but grew up all over the world. First in Brussels in Belgium, briefly in Washington D.C., then in Clapham and then in South Buckinghamshire.

Since starting drama school (I study Professional Acting at Drama Studio London), I’ve moved around West London, living in South Acton in my first year, Brentford in my second year and now, the heart of Ealing.

In terms of hobbies, I love theatre and film, as well as history, science, languages and classics. I adore Lego and science fiction, and I’m bilingual in English and French and speak good Spanish.

What kind of property do you rent, and how long have you been there?  

We live in a flat in Ealing, not far from the Broadway. We moved in in August 2025.

How much do you pay to live here?

We pay £2,600 per month, which only covers rent. We pay £74 for gas and electricity, £68 on average for water, and £29.99 for broadband. I’d say it’s a lot of money for rent for students, but it isn’t student accommodation.

The flat is very nice and, importantly, it’s extremely close to our university. Ealing is a nice area on the whole and within accessible distance to central London. I’ve come across properties with higher prices for less value in the local area.

And what do you get for what you pay?

My flat is a three-bed with a spacious living room, bathroom and kitchen. The best aspect is the proximity to the university and to the station nearby. 

What do you love to do in your flat? 

I do a lot of work for school at home, but it’s also somewhere to unwind and reset after long days at drama school. I love to play guitar, read, watch films and TV.

What do you think of the area? 

The best thing about the area is how close everything is. The school and the station are within a 10-minute walk. Gunnersbury Park is close by, as well as Ealing Common. It’s amazing to have some green spaces nearby, especially in the summer.

The worst thing is possibly how expensive everything is. Trying to eat out more than once every other week is almost unjustifiable. For those who drink, it’s an extremely expensive night out. 

How did you find this property?

We found it ourselves towards the end of the last academic year in late July/early August. We contacted estate agents in the nearby area and asked to be shown properties in Ealing, Acton and Northfields.

After viewing around 15 places, we were shown this property, and by the end of the weekend, we had made an offer. 

How have you made this place feel like home? 

The process of making it feel like home has been spread out across a few months. We have a mix of furniture from home and second-hand from places like the British Heart Foundation.

For me, it’s been books and memorabilia on my shelves. For my roommates, it’s been posters and personal items.

Was there a specific inspiration for your decor?

Sadly, we’re a bit restricted in our choice of inspiration for the flat. Being acting students, I would say the flat is populated by lots of acting books, scripts, notes and the occasional prop.

Also, being football-mad young men, scarves and boots are everywhere. We also happen to be the captain and vice captains of our drama school football team. So we have a bag of footballs, a net, a pole and mini goals. 

What are your biggest property non-negotiables when looking?

My non-negotiables are fairly lax. All I need is functional heating and plumbing and a reasonable price tag. 

How is your house suited to living with other people – is there anything you’d change?

Our house is well-suited to sharing because it encourages us to be social. The living room is such a great space to spend time, and the kitchen allows us to cook at the same time. 

Do you feel like you have enough space? 

I believe we have enough room. The ceilings are high. I have the smallest room, but it’s by no means little.

Each room has space for a double bed and some furniture. The living room is spacious and open. The kitchen has lots of storage. 

We’d love to have a dining table in the living room and chairs to match, but there isn’t enough space for that.

Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with? 

The only issues we’ve had are slightly poor water pressure, weak broadband in most of the house, and my room in particular lacks natural light.

Do you have plans to move again anytime soon? What about buying a place?

As one of my roommates and I are in our final year of the course, we will be moving once our contract ends in July. Neither of us is looking to buy a property, but we will most likely seek to rent.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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