Ground-floor studio on quiet Hackney mews –

Available end of October to end of February.

This is normally my Airbnb, with 99% five-star reviews — but for these months it's available as a longer let, and can work two ways: as a genuinely (almost*) separate, self-contained flat, or with a bit more of a flatshare feel if that suits us all better. The internal door to the rest of the house is locked for the separate-flat set-up, or left open for occasional upstairs access — including the odd meal cooked in our kitchen, or a chat, if that appeals. *Either way, we'll need occasional access to the studio for the washing machine and a bit of locked storage.

It's the ground floor of our house, on a mews in Hackney — quiet and green, with plants and pots on the way in that make coming home feel a bit nicer than most London streets. It's close to parks, cafés, shops and transport, with outdoor seating just outside.

Inside, there's a double bed and two sofas — one folds out into a bed, but that's for the odd visitor by prior arrangement, not for general use or a co-occupant — a large chest of drawers, and a built-in wardrobe, part of which is locked for our own storage (we'll always give notice if we need access). The bathroom is a good size, with a full bath, and doubles as the laundry, since the washing machine is here too, shared on a limited basis with us upstairs — we'll always give notice before coming in. The kitchenette has a microwave, kettle, small fridge, basic crockery and a single-burner hob, but no sink — washing up is done in the bathroom sink.

We're looking for one person to live here, rather than a couple, and visitors are welcome only occasionally and by arrangement — we're upstairs, enjoying our peace and quiet. We know that probably makes us sound like a right pair of miserable gits; we promise we're not, we just like things calm — and we're genuinely happy to be a bit sociable now and then, just not all the time. It's a licensee (lodger) arrangement rather than a standard tenancy.

Available end of October to end of February — please only get in touch if these dates work for you.