This video is the introduction to a series of short films called PRS Profiles, which seeks to showcase the realities of private renting in London from the perspectives of renters themselves.
Researchers from LSE London interviewed private renters across London in their own homes to learn more about their personal experiences living in the private rented sector (PRS) in the capital. This introductory video highlights some of the overarching themes that emerged from the individual interviews. Detailed individual PRS Profiles will follow shortly, offering a deeper look at the stories of the private renters featured in this film.
The profiles highlighted in this film are certainly not fully representative of the great diversity of household types currently living in London’s PRS. We hope to continue the project and to produce more profiles in the future, allowing us to represent more of the stories and perspectives of London’s renters.
Video by Alessandra Mossa
The following table summarises key information about our interviewees and the neighbourhoods in which they live (if you are a private renter and are interested in being interviewed as part of the project, please contact us at lselondon@lse.ac.uk):
| Name | Age | Profession | Area/Post Code | Borough | Post Code | Property Size | Average Weekly Rents | Borough Median Weekly Rents* |
| Post Code Median* | ||||||||
| Simon | 20s | Research Assistant | Kentish Town | Camden | NW5 | 1-bedroom flat | £320 | £335 |
| Sita and Adele | 20s and 30s | PhD Students | Camberwell/Denmark Hill | Southwark | SE5 | 2-bedroom flat | £322 | £325 |
| Laura and Theo | 30s | Filmmakers | Forest Hill | Lewisham | SE23 | Room in shared house | £93 | £109 |
| Malgosia | 40s | School Caterer | Mitcham East Fields | Merton | CR4 | 1-bedroom flat | £190 | £249 |
| Melissa | 30s | Academic | Finsbury Park | Hackney | N4 | 2-bedroom flat | £340 | £375 |
| Farah and Eric | 30s | Academics | Finsbury Park | Hackney | N4 | 1-bedroom flat | £282 | £299 |
| Sara | 30s | Events & Communications Professional | Stoke Newington** | Hackney | N16 | Room in shared house | £162.5 | £299 |
| Emma | 20s | Research Assistant | Harpenden (AL5)*** | St. Albans City and District Council | AL5 | 1-bedroom flat | £196 | n/a |
| *Source: https://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/housing-land/renting-home/rents-map | ||||||||
| **Source: http://www.home.co.uk/for_rent/stoke_newington/current_rents?location=stoke_newington | ||||||||
| ***http://www.home.co.uk/for_rent/harpenden/current_rents?location=harpenden | ||||||||
This film is excellent. But the project needs to cover more household types. It would be particularly interesting hearing from young families living on benefit in the PRS. Their lives are particularly precarious. Perhaps hearing from older people too.
Thanks Roger, really appreciate the comment. We definitely agree that there are many, many more household types living in London’s PRS then this film portrays, and we will add a note to that effect to the post. We are hoping to continue the project and to produce more profiles, and we will certainly look to interview families and older tenants who live in the PRS.