Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK and further afield.
This week, we’re down in Fontwell near Arundel in West Sussex, meeting Bronwynn and Seb Wisdom at their four-bedroom rented home.
The couple made the move from South Africa in 2023, and though they weren’t in a position to buy, they wanted more than just a small ‘starter’ home.
And so, they looked to Arundel, which just last year was crowned the most relaxed spot in all of Europe. It’s just three miles from the coast, after all.
Here’s what Browynn had to say about their renting situation…
Tell us about yourselves…
We’re Bronwynn and Seb Wisdom, aged 35 and 36, and we relocated to the UK from South Africa in 2023. We had considered a range of options to find the right home for us and our two cats.
We knew we wanted to put down roots, but buying a property immediately wasn’t our priority, and we were concerned by the restrictions and rules of renting with a traditional buy-to-let landlord.
When we came across our home in Fontwell, near Arundel in West Sussex, we realised we could tick each and every box with professional rental homes provider Leaf Living.
What kind of property do you rent and how long have you been there?
We reserved a newly built four-bedroom, three-bathroom family house at Leaf Living’s Fontwell Meadows development, where we’ve lived since 2023.
After seeing our families settle in the UK, our hearts longed to be closer to them. So, we made the decision to follow them and start a new chapter.
Sebastian went ahead first, determined to find the perfect place for us. I stayed behind in South Africa, navigating the complexities of my British citizenship and ensuring every detail was in place for our beloved cats to make the journey with me. They’re not just pets, they’re family, and we couldn’t imagine leaving them behind.
Sebastian moved in with his parents, who welcomed him into their three-bedroom home with open arms. For nine months in 2023, their kindness gave him a roof over his head while he searched for our future home.
They had space for him, and we were endlessly grateful, but we knew it was temporary. The house, though filled with warmth, wasn’t quite ready for both of us, especially with our cats in tow. His parents didn’t have pets, and we didn’t want to impose.
Every call, every update about potential homes brought us closer to reuniting. We held onto the dream of being together again, in a place we could call our own.
Now, we couldn’t be happier. The sense of comfort and belonging we feel here is something we’ll cherish forever.
How much do you pay to live here?
£1,700 per month with an initial deposit of £1,900. There are no hidden costs such as service charges.
And what do you get for what you pay?
Our house came with new white goods in the kitchen, which saved a considerable expense on upfront purchases and other added extras including fibre internet in our monthly rent, as well as a video doorbell, Hive thermostat and keyless smart lock.
The living area is spacious, we have allocated parking and all the developers homes have an EPC rating of B or above, which keeps our household bills low.
Do you feel like you have a good deal?
We initially looked into buying and even priced up a mortgage and worked out that we’d end up paying £700 more on monthly mortgage payments for a property of the same size.
From a financial perspective for us at the moment, renting made far more sense.
What do you love about your home?
We had to consider our cats and were delighted to find that Fontwell Meadows is a pet-friendly rental community. We probably inquired at about 40 or 50 places, and most wouldn’t allow pets or even consider it, and any that did often charged more for smaller spaces because we had animals.
The private garden has been another highlight, offering a safe outdoor space for our cats, who both love exploring.
Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?
In Fontwell, near Arundel in West Sussex. Seb has a 10-minute drive to work – and for me, it opened so many opportunities when job searching, as I could commute to a lot of different places, as there is easy access to cities like Chichester, Brighton, and Portsmouth.
I ended up with a role based in Tangmere, so it’s only a five-minute bus ride, an easy daily routine.
Why did you choose this property?
When Seb originally came to view a different house at Fontwell Meadows, it wasn’t quite the layout we wanted. Then our home became available, and the lettings team was super helpful in making sure we got the type of property that we wanted.
When he couldn’t attend a viewing, they even filmed a walkthrough for us so I, who was still in South Africa at the time, could see it too.
Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting? Is your landlord happy with you doing bits?
Our home is decorated beautifully with quality finishes, but we’ve been allowed to personalise our home with prior approval, which is a rare offering in rental homes.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
We weren’t looking for a small starter apartment, as we needed a space that reflects where we are in our lives. We both really felt as soon as we saw the house that it was a place we could truly make our home.
What do you like about renting your home?
The process was so smooth. The paperwork was straightforward, and we didn’t have to wait weeks to get things agreed upon. If anything does happen, they’re super responsive and quick to sort things out.
We don’t feel anxious about raising concerns because we know the team is there to help. We feel like we’re in a place now that really feels like home, and we know we are going to be here for a long time. We originally signed a tenancy for one year, but we have already extended that.
How did you find this property?
We spent a tonne of time online, looking for homes that suited our look, feel and lifestyle. We came across Leaf Living in this search, and their homes at Fontwell Meadows went straight to the top of our list.
The lettings agent took Sebastian to see a few houses so he could find the size and layout that we both wanted, as I was still in South Africa at the time. When the agent sent through a video for me to see and it was still available, we both knew it was the one for us.
How have you made this place feel like home?
We haven’t done too much to the house yet; it was a beautiful brand-new home to move into with no decoration or repairs needed. We’re planning on being here for a long time, so we’re not in a rush to find our interior style.
What would you like to have but don’t with this flat?
We have everything we need and more with this home; there isn’t anything we would add at the moment. Seb has since bought an electric vehicle to match the house because we have the EV charger available here. No hassle with any extra installation was needed.
Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?
We’ve not had any problems, and the team is super quick to get back to you if you need anything.
When our Wi-Fi went down, that could have been a disaster as we occasionally work from home, but there was an extremely quick turnaround from our property manager to fix things. It’s helpful that you’re not just dealing with an agent but a professional landlord.
Do you have plans to move again any time soon? What about buying a place?
We might look to buy in the future someday, but we have no plans to move. In fact, we have extended our original tenancy because we have everything we need here.
Shall we take a look around?
Do you have a story to share?
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