How you can live in a £3m London mansion for free: SpareRoom founder Rupert Hunt’s lucky flatmates will pay only what they can afford for rent
One property entrepreneur is giving someone the opportunity to live in a £3m mansion in the heart of the city – for free.
Rupert Hunt, the founder of letting website SpareRoom, is looking for a new flatmate for his swanky pad in Spitalfields which boasts six bedrooms over five floors and grade two listed status, but is making it available on a generous "pay what you can afford basis", saying he is far more interested in finding the right people to share with.
"If you're my perfect flatmate and happen to be volunteering and can only afford £100 per month, I'd sooner take you over someone who can pay full whack but who isn't quite right," said Hunt, on where else but an ad on SpareRoom.
“I ended up living on my own a couple of years ago after I split up from my wife, so I decided to use SpareRoom to find a couple of housemates. To be honest I saw it entirely as a chance to learn something about the business, but I ended up learning that sharing with the right people beats living on your own any day. So, now my last housemate is leaving, I’ve decided to do it again," he explained.
Read more: Is this simple idea the way to solve London's housing crisis?
So if, you fancy living with Hunt, some taxidermy animals, an Aga, and of course totally rent free, here's your chance. Although, if you're just looking to doss for free, think again.
"I'm not after flatmates who just want cheaper rent though. You'll need to genuinely want to share with me – for your benefit as much as mine: The people you live with can be the difference between you dreading going home each day or having the time of your life."
Wannabe flatmates will also have to be fine with being on film. Hunt will be documenting the journey on YouTube. It would also be "a nice bonus" if they could play piano, apparently. Here's a glimpse at the pad.