Hackney flatshare – lovely dbl room in homely flat

*** Thank you for all your lovely responses. I am currently at capacity with visits, and in the process of making my shortlist. I will update on 11th September***

Large (14m²) furnished double bedroom in my lovely, homely and quirky 2 bed Victorian split-level flat just off Hackney Downs park in East London. The street is blocked off with no through traffic – and there is a plethora of friendly neighbours living on it.

Open-plan and bright architect-designed kitchen & living room, utility room with washing machine, and bathroom with bathtub and power shower. General look of the flat is vintage meets modern.

The bedroom available has high ceilings and painted floorboards, 2 windows with a fantastic view over the lush neighbourhood's gardens. There's a good quality double mattress on a solid French antique cast iron bed, a clothes rail (not pictured) & ample shelf storage, as well as a large vintage desk + chair, and a mid-century sofa. The dark wall is chalk board paint, so feel free to get creative : ).

One major perk of the layout of the flat is that our bedrooms are on different floors, so it really feels like we have some privacy from each other.

Available to a non-smoking, tidy and considerate person who is past their binge-drinking days.

I welcome people from all ethnicities, gender, and sexual orientation.

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About me:

I have French nationality, and have lived in London for 30 years. I used to be a designer/art director, but transitioned to ceramics a few years ago. Now I teach pottery classes and make my ceramics full time from my studio in Haggerston.

I'm pretty sociable generally, but don't always find the time. I also get a bit people'd out from teaching, but I'll always be happy to catch up with my flatmate. I love to go for long walks on the marshes, ride my bike around Hackney, go to exhibitions, and practice yoga regularly.

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About sharing:

I have shared my flat with many people over the years, and many happy moments were had in it. My current flatmate has been with me for 4 wonderful years (her words!); I'm really sad to see her go, but she's off to follow her dreams and become a mature student in Cardiff, and I'm very happy for her. Incidentally, she's 20 years younger than me, but that didn't stop us becoming good friends.

My partner lives abroad, and he'll visit during school holidays (he's an art teacher), or I'll go and stay with him instead. He's very friendly and considerate around the flat, and has a good rapport with my current flatmate.

I'm more than happy for you to have occasional overnight guests, as long as they are respectful of the peace of the flat – and don't end up a permanent fixture.

Overall, with good communication and mutual respect, we'll have a happy home :-)

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About the area:

Shops off Clapton Pond are great for groceries, we have plenty of great indie shops nearby, and the lovely Hackney Downs park on our doorstep (with tennis courts, if tennis is your thing).

Dalston is a 15-20 mins walk away (Ridley Road market, and the best Turkish grills in the whole of London, Jazz Cafe, Rio Cinema, Arcola Theatre, etc); equally nearby the Olympic Park with the best sports facilities and now a brand new cultural hub, London Fields with its lovely outdoors swimming pool (Lido), Stoke Newington, and the excellent Castle community cinema are also really close.

I have lived on my street for 20 years, and absolutely love my neighbourhood. I'm compelled to add that while in recent years we have seen an influx of wealthy, beautiful people move to Hackney, unlike South Kensington, this is a multi-ethnic, multi-class (multi-everything in fact), busy – and sometimes chaotic – urban part of London, and you'll need to be comfortable with that.

Transport:

- within 10-15 mins walk:
> Hackney Downs station, with frequent trains to Liverpool St in just 12 mins – great if you work in the City!

> Hackney Central (Stratford-Richmond line) useful to catch the super fast Victoria line at Highbury & Islington

- countless bus routes from Clapton Pond (3 mins walk) taking you into Central London via Angel or Bethnal Green and Old Street.

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- Rent: £1000 including bills, payable by standing order on 1st of each month.

- Notice period: 1 month

- Deposit: 5 weeks rent £1153, refundable when you move out.

*I'm happy to consider short-term, but it would have to be at least until end January/February 2025 as I will be very busy with work until then.*

Extras not included: things like laundry detergent, toilet paper and cleaning duties (we could also share the cost of a cleaner). I will not be supplying pillows, duvet, sheets or bathroom towels.

*Available 1st October*

Message me if this all sounds good to you, and we'll arrange a visit.

I look forward to hearing from you!