Priced Out: Life on the Edge of Regeneration

Estate Agent (private property): Pleased to meet you. I'm Richard from Post Olympic Estates, but you can call me Rich! If I get the sale, eh? Jokes, that was a joke, but yeah, call me Rich anyway.  So, south-facing, shared gardens, couple of bedrooms, desirable location, newly regenerated area. This property represents a rare opportunity for development and renovation.  Everyone wants to live here now. That bloke off The Traitors lives on this road, you know, the one with the big eyes. Don't watch it? Ah, it's class.  So you've got the gastropub at the end of the road. They do an astounding vegan pizza. Really something. I eat there all the time. I'm not even vegan. This whole property, it will need a bit of work. That's why it's so competitively priced. Well, I know for some, 420 grand isn't that competitively priced, but you're paying for the area. It was featured in Time Out as number one of the up and coming places to live in London.  Crime? Nah, no crime. It's east London, so it's basically a village. Vibrant.  The owner hasn't updated for some time due to one tenant being here a while, so well, you know, use imagination. This is an opportunity for renovation. No, I don't think that's damp. Is it? Black mould? No, ahh, well, erm… Good size bath. I'm not sure why the tap is broken, but hey ho, a chance to select new suite.  Kitchen, again, superb opportunity to refit. Yeah, the boiler will need replacing. It's currently out of action, but as I said, the owner hasn't updated due to one tenant being here a while.  Right, let's have a butchers at the shared garden, and then we can chat about offers.  ​ Lift sound: Please stand back from the closing doors. ​ Estate Agent (temporary accommodation unit): Sorry I'm late. Traffic was murder. Pleased to meet you. I'm Richard from Post Olympic Estates, but you can call me Rich. If I get the sale, eh? Jokes, that was a joke. No sale, I know. You've been sent here from the council. Temporary accommodation. Last resort, eh? You've been on the housing list for a long, ages? Yeah, yeah. You're from east London, yeah. Bit of a trek this, but hey ho, let's get in.  All right, so here we go. South facing, miles from the station, miles from London. This is a large property housing several households from various London boroughs, so good community spirit, I'd imagine.  45 individual units.  Each unit benefits from part furnishings, bed, chair, small kitchenette. Well, one of those portable hobs and a kettle, convenient.  Right, no, no private bathroom. The bathroom is shared with several other units, so I'm thinking a rota would be an idea. Chance to get to know your neighbours. You'll want to not spend a lot of time in the shower. I personally can shower in under five minutes. I've got it down to a fine art.  Right, nice patterned carpet. Oh, maybe it's not. Yeah, that could be a stain, actually, yeah. It could benefit from a clean. You may want to get some Cilit Bang on those tiles while you're at it. No, that's not a crack in the window. Oh, it is? Good ventilation, yes. It is a bit chilly, but I can recommend one of those portable heaters from Argos. Expensive to run? I wouldn't know. The electric's on a key card, so you can keep track.  You'll obviously be commuting into London for work and to keep the kids in the same school, so you won't be in the unit for long during the week. Weekends, well, it's an opportunity to spend quality time together, since neither of you or the kiddie will have your own space, or much space at all.  Oh, blimey. Is that a - ? Wow, a cockroach! I wasn't aware they even lived in England. Did you know a cockroach could survive a nuclear war? Fun fact. But probably best to sweep it away. All a bit, I'm A Celebrity, isn't it? I love that show. Get me out of here! Yeah, but as I say, best to sweep that cockroach up once you're in. Don't eat it. Jokes. Not saying you would. Right, well, that's it. Not much else to say about one room.  Shall we head out and look at the corridor?