A remarkably compact studio flat in one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods has been listed for rent at an eye-watering £1,750 per month, equating to £21,000 per year. The property, located on Alderney Street in Pimlico, central London, measures a mere nine square metres, highlighting the extreme premium for space in the capital.
A Space-Saving 'Yacht Cabin' in Central London
The bedsit, listed via OpenRent and featured on Luxury Property News, has been designed with inspiration drawn from boat cabins. The marketing description emphasises "smart, space-efficient solutions" within a "compact footprint." The main living area contains a sofa bed intended for the primary tenant, a tiny bathroom with a shower and toilet but seemingly no basin, and a kitchenette fitted with a two-ring hob, microwave, and fridge.
Space-saving is a consistent theme, with an ironing board concealed in a cupboard and a television built into the furniture. The flat also boasts a balcony, double acoustic insulation, and no adjoining walls for privacy. However, bills are not included, and there is no parking or garden.
The Claustrophobic 'Mezzanine' Guest Solution
The property's most notable—and cramped—feature is its spare sleeping area. Described as a "mezzanine bed suitable for an occasional guest," it is positioned above the cooking area and accessed by a steep ladder. The headroom in this lofted space is reported to be only about a foot, meaning any overnight visitor would need to crawl in and out. The listing explicitly warns that it is not suitable for those scared of confined spaces.
A fold-out table in the studio is laid out to seat three, suggesting aspirations for entertaining that starkly contrast with the severe spatial limitations.
Stark Contrast with Property Prices Across the UK
The cost of this tiny London studio throws the UK's regional property divide into sharp relief. For a sum equivalent to just two years' rent on this flat (£42,000), a buyer could purchase a two-bedroom terraced house in Shildon, County Durham, and still have money left over.
Shildon is currently recognised as the cheapest place to buy property in the UK, with such homes on the market for around £35,000. This comparison underscores the vast disparity in housing value and affordability between the capital and other parts of the country, where the budget for a small London rental could secure outright homeownership.
