A London landlord has been criticized for advertising a room for £1,350 a month, with an absurdly strict set of rules.
The landlord posted the advert on rental website Spare Room, hoping to find someone to occupy a bedroom at his home in Hampstead Heath, north London.
But the host has since come under a barrage of criticism online after requiring potential tenants to follow a set of strict rules – all while paying through the nose.
The sign requested that hopeful tenants work ‘long hours in the city during the week’, going out London on weekends and avoid having guests or using the living room.
Spot the listing while searching for potential homes, One hopeful tenant took to
The advert proclaims to offer a “lovely” apartment with access to a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, although the living room is strictly quoted as “not available for use”.
Users criticized the house’s strict rules that also required potential tenants to “not have guests, not use the living space” and “not make noise after 11 p.m.”
Elsewhere, many have criticized the landlord’s requests for how long prospective tenants are actually allowed to stay in the residence.
A London-based landlord has been criticized on social media for advertising a “completely exploitative” rental deal (pictured in Spare Room listing)
Social media user Sophia took to 8 am (Monday to Friday). only)? Here’s one at a bargain price (£1350)!!!’
The listing says: ‘I work many hours from the living room so this area is not available for use. This space would be ideal for someone who works long hours in the city during the week and goes out of town on the weekends.
Tenants are also asked not to return home until after 8:30 pm, as that is when the host conducts “audible” violin lessons.
Meanwhile, the property itself has no central heating and tenants must use an electric heater “which can be set via a timer on your phone”.
The post, which has now been viewed nearly a million times, includes a link to the list, although it appears to have been modified since it appeared on X.
The original listing, as revealed by the screenshots in X, said the owner was Looking for ‘a tenant’ to share their ‘beautiful apartment’ in the South End Green, Gospel Oak area.
According to her Spare Room profile, Alice is a live-in homeowner. Describing themselves, they wrote: ‘I am a 38-year-old professional researcher and music teacher.
‘I am also teaching violin here in the afternoons from 4-8:30pm Monday to Thursday, although this takes place on a different floor to the dormitory I offer, it would be audible, so this room would be suitable for someone not at home until 8:30 pm
The advert, originally published on Spare Room, claims to offer a “lovely” apartment with access to a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, although the living room is strictly listed as “not available for use”.
Seeing the listing while searching for potential homes, one hopeful renter took to
The host has since come under a barrage of criticism online after requiring potential tenants to follow a series of strict rules, while paying £1,350 a month.
‘The apartment is located on a quiet residential street with very little traffic. The apartment overlooks Hampstead Heath Park, which can be accessed from the street (two minutes walk), as well as close access to Hampstead Ponds and the swimming pool.
The landlord asked that his prospective “tenant” be “a calm, clean and friendly person,” although he asked him not to use the living facilities or be on the property at night or on weekends.
Describing the room, the owner wrote: ‘The room is 2m x 4m and has high ceilings.
‘It had a bed, a wardrobe, a table, a blind and a heater that could be set using a timer on the phone. However, there is no central heating, the electric heaters are very effective and the bathroom has underfloor heating. There is a dishwasher and washing machine available for use in the kitchen.
As well as strict rules, the landlord had “many small independent shops, cafes” as well as an M&S and several parks nearby.
The listing also revealed that the deposit for the property would be £1,557.
However, it appears that changes have since been made to the listing, with references to house guests, curfew and noise no longer appearing in the property description.
In the updated advert, the owner described himself as: ‘I am a very friendly, tidy, calm, clean and hard-working person. I would like to share it with someone who complements this.’
Commenters on the post were outraged by the “exploitative” listing that insisted tenants be “banned from living there.”
Commenters on the publication were outraged by the ‘exploitative’ listing that insisted that tenants be “forbidden to live there.”
One angry viewer wrote: ‘This ‘free market’ attitude is pathetic, it shouldn’t be legal. Completely exploitative, selfish and trying to take advantage of the tenant’s desperation to get money from him while banishing him from living there. Total slag owner.
A second said: ‘No guests? You can’t even have a friend sit with you in the bedroom like a teenager.
Others said the landlord wanted to “rent” without having to live with the person. They said: “Basically he just wants someone to pay his rent every month but not live there.”
A fourth writer agreed: “It’s pretty clear that this person doesn’t really want anyone else in their house/apartment, but needs the rental income…”
However, not everyone agreed that the listing was unreasonable. One wrote: ‘There is nothing wrong with posting this ad if there is someone willing to accept it. I doubt there is, but I would just shrug and keep looking.