A studio that resembles a garden shed in south-east London is being rented out for £1,300-a-month in the latest evidence of the grim situation facing capital’s renters.
Marketed as an “outstanding studio annexe”, the small timber-clad structure sits at the bottom of the back garden of a semi-detached house in Abbey Wood.
In photos on Rightmove it appears to feature a tiny windowless kitchen opening on to a room around the same length as a double sofa bed.
The sofa bed takes up the majority of the room, while a wardrobe and drawers line the opposite wall.
There appears to be a shower in a small separate bathroom, but no floor plan or square footage is given for the property.
Outside, the “large garden” lauded by the estate agent appears to be covered in decking, bar what appear to be two raised flower beds.
Except for a large dog kennel, there is nothing else disrupting the view between the annexe and the main house, which overlooks it.
The property is being marketed at £1,299 a month, and requires a £1,614 deposit.
Users of Reddit were quick to criticise the listing, describing it as “obscene” and “dystopian”.
“Ah yes the large wooden garden where you can sit on your planter and wave to the landlord,” one wrote.
“This is the kind of place that's ideal only for the owners almost grown kid, or visiting relatives. To charge that kind of money for an out building at the bottom of your garden is obscene.”
Another said they thought the listing “was a joke at first”.
“The sad reality is there is no doubt a line of people wanting to rent it,” said another.
“I wonder how much they’re renting the dog house for,” one user joked.
“Cat flap on the door is either ambitious in terms of how many living things could co-exist in that space, or gives you an idea of the building's initial intended use,” said another.
Estate agents Frestons says in the listing: “Equidistant to Abbey Wood and Plumstead stations, the property is superbly located to benefit from quick and easy travel across the City, as well as the many amenities Abbey Wood and Plumstead have to offer.“Briefly comprising bedroom and living space, kitchen and bathroom, the studio benefits from a large garden and parking.“Offered to market immediately, early viewings are highly recommended.”
It comes as figures last month showed London rents were in March up 11.2 per cent year-on-year.
It marked the highest annual increase since Office for National Statistics (ONS) records began, and suggested no end is in sight for those despairing at the London rental crisis.
