What £150,000 Buys in Kensington: A Compact Lower Ground Floor Space
A property on Lexham Gardens described as a “compact lower ground floor space” has been listed for sale with Pomp Properties for £150,000. Despite not being explicitly advertised as a residential studio, the floorplan labels a space less than a metre wide as a “bedroom,” just large enough for a single mattress. Another 28-square-foot, windowless area is marked as the “kitchen,” though it contains no cooking equipment, worktops, or sink. Photos show a small fridge on a set of drawers, a kettle, and two mugs, with a microwave placed on a stool in the bathroom.
Property Features and Layout
The 152-square-foot property opens into a “hall” with two chairs and a coffee table. To the left is the kitchen, which also houses an ergonomic gaming chair and a small black table; to the right is the bedroom and a bathroom with a toilet and shower (no sink). The bathroom is the only room with a window. An additional storage space adjoins the kitchen.
According to the listing, “The accommodation comprises a well-presented and versatile internal area, offering a range of potential uses subject to all necessary consents and permissions. The space is neatly arranged and benefits from an attractive setting within an elegant period building on this prestigious residential street.” Suggested uses include “ancillary space, storage, or a property interest with future potential.”
Legal and Planning Context
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, a property can be deemed unfit for human habitation if it lacks adequate natural lighting or cooking facilities. Land Registry records show the building contains 10 flats, and this property appears to have been carved out of a larger flat that last sold for £352,000 in 2015. However, no planning requests are logged on Kensington and Chelsea’s planning portal, and it is not yet listed on the Land Registry.
Adam Sheikh, managing director at Pomp Properties, said, “Whilst it is not a conventional residential property, opportunities of this nature seldom come to market, which is one of the reasons it has generated so much interest. The combination of the £150,000 asking price and the prime Kensington location has understandably sparked a great deal of curiosity.” Sheikh made a light-hearted TikTok about the property, describing it as a “Harry Potter style” room and joking, “It is absolutely massive.”
Similar Unusual Properties
In 2023, a balcony on nearby Stanhope Gardens sold for £35,000, receiving over 200 enquiries. In 2024, two neighbouring rooftops on Gloucester Road were listed for £200,000, prompting a “contract race” between three interested buyers and selling for the asking price.
