What I Rent: I pay £1,780 for my Stratford flat and coffee is included

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 in East London visiting Arooj Aftab, who pays £1,780 for her share of her two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat with her sister.

Since moving in, she’s seen her bills cut drastically, as her monthly rent payment even includes a free coffee prescription, a co-working space and even access to a state-of-the-art gym.

Here’s what Arooj had to say about her renting situation…

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Arooj Aftab, Founder of Done With Diversity and What’s The Solution? I consult brands on culture and community, pushing for more representation both behind the scenes and on camera.

I curate and share ideas, and I like to make visions come to life. I’m definitely a bit of a multihyphenate.

What kind of property do you rent and how long have you been there?

I rent a two-bed home at Westfield’s Coppermaker Square in East London, where I have been living with my twin sister Kaya for the last 12 months, and we’ve just renewed for another year.

How much do you pay to live here?

My twin and I split the rent, and my half is £1,780. It’s a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, in the heart of Stratford, right by Olympic Park and Westfield.

And what do you get for what you pay?

A tonne of amenities. Before moving here, I had separate outgoings for a gym, co-working, and even coffee. This is now included in my rent which is great.

I also have access to so many amazing amenities such as a resident’s lounge which has screening rooms, games, a private dining room and a roof garden.

All residents also get access to amazing events and networking opportunities. I have attended everything from sound baths and aromatherapy workshops to local restaurant takeovers and cooking classes.

These events provide fantastic opportunities to meet and connect with fellow residents and like-minded creatives, while also learning new skills or focusing on my health & wellbeing.

The real cherry on top is the 25m pool and fitness centre – it’s got everything including a huge gym floor, sauna and steam room – plus spin classes and a yoga studio. You really don’t have to ever leave.

Do you feel like you have a good deal?

Yeah for sure. There’s a lot of added value that comes with living at Coppermaker Square. I think the amenities and community are great for the rent I pay.

Having everything on my doorstep has been so convenient. It’s also helped my workflow in ways that I didn’t think and I think it falls down to accessibility and ease.

What do you love to do in your flat?

Everything. Since moving to Coppermaker Square I have become such a homebody, but my true love is hosting and having friends over. Particularly now that I have a far bigger space than I used to, as well as access to things like a BBQ on the terrace and a bookable private dining room.

It’s so nice to have people over and bond over a nice meal. Plus, I can easily pop down in the lift and straight into Westfield to grab anything I need for entertaining.

Where is your home based? What do you think of the area?

My home is based in Stratford, East London. The area is buzzing with creativity and just feels so right for me. East London has its own charm, and there’s a lot going on here all the time.

Stratford in particular, has so many cultural hubs and there’s always something to do in the area that makes it so exciting. The V&A is also opening here very soon, which I’m excited about.

Coppermaker Square is also super well connected via the underground, Overground and Elizabeth lines, with easy access to other cool East London areas like Hackney Wick, Shoreditch, and Dalston.

There are also some incredible universities around, such as UAL, UCL, and the University of East London, which also has a Stratford campus. Having worked with them before, I’m inspired by the creativity and innovation of the students and the talent that is in and around the area.

How did you find this property?

I found this property while looking for a place that suited my needs as a creative professional and stumbled upon the social media page. The community aspect, location, amazing resident events and amenities offered at Coppermaker Square were a perfect fit for me.

How have you made this place feel like home?

I’ve made this place feel like home by decorating it with my personal style, incorporating pops of colour and unique pieces that act as an extension of my fashion. Creating a space that is warm and inviting is so important to me.

Some of my favourite pieces include coffee table books, pink and sage Mustard Made cabinets, and an art wall made up of a collection of prints from local shops. Being part Pakistani, it was important for me to incorporate Urdu prints and add texture and colour to my home.

I feel like when you can add your own personality into the space, that’s when you can really make it a home. With Westfield and so many local retailers on our doorstep, sourcing unique elements that make it feel personal is easy.

Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting? Is your landlord happy with you doing bits?

One of the things I love most about Coppermaker Square is the complete freedom to decorate my home and really make it my own.

It’s a luxury that few rentals allow – at my last place, we weren’t even allowed to touch the walls. But here we are encouraged to decorate and customise our spaces. I’ve been able to paint walls, hang artwork, and create my ideal living area.

Additionally, the onsite maintenance team is always available to help with moving in and transforming your space. On the Resident App, you can book services and support, so there are always hands on the ground to help you bring your dream apartment to life.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

Yes, I definitely feel like I have enough space. The two-bed apartment has plenty of room, and the communal areas provide additional flexibility and space to enjoy. Having access to a dedicated co-working space means I can easily switch environments, which is great for productivity.

The larger space and access to amenities like a roof garden, lounge, and green spaces like the public square and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park nearby make it feel even more spacious.

What would you like to have but don’t with this flat?

I feel like I have everything I need. Though a private outdoor space like a balcony would be a nice addition to enjoy the views over East London – there are other homes in the development that do have these, so we could easily make this a reality.

Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?

There haven’t been any issues at all. The concierge and maintenance team are so helpful, and we have a Resident App where you can raise any requests.

Plus, there is someone on the concierge desk 24 hours a day, so there is also a friendly face to chat should anything ever come up. Everyone at Coppermaker Square is incredibly helpful in addressing any day-to-day needs.

Do you have plans to move again any time soon? What about buying a place?

I definitely have no plans to leave anytime soon. I’m happy with my current living situation at Coppermaker Square. As for buying a place, it’s something I might consider in the future, but for now, renting suits my lifestyle and work needs.

The value and convenience of having everything I need on my doorstep, as well as such a lovely community, is unmatched.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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