Jess Busby, an education lecturer, has been living in Camberley, Surrey for the last 14 years. After a relationship breakdown led to the sale of the family home, Jess re-entered the rental market for the first time in more than two decades, to find the perfect home for herself and her three children.
Reflecting on the house hunting process, Jess said: “I knew I wouldn’t qualify for a mortgage as a solo buyer, so I started looking at rental homes nearby. The market is very different than the last time I was renting and there is such varying quality out there. We looked at a few different homes, but they felt tired and in need of major improvements. I was also worried that my landlord would sell the home after a few months of moving in, and I’d have to start the whole process again.”
She said: “I was really impressed with the way Annington has refurbished the space, it feels like a new home. It’s nice to know that no one else has used the kitchen or the shower before, and the carpets are brand new. Any dirt is my dirt, and not someone else’s! Renting with a company, rather than an individual landlord, makes it feel much more like it’s your home and peace of mind that you can put down roots.
“I have room for the whole family, including our dog, and we have even created a cosy snug in the open-plan kitchen and dining area. The extra space means my son has dedicated room to work from home, and having such a large garden is something you just don’t see with many rental homes in the area.”
Despite being the sole bill payer, Jess has found her monthly outgoings have reduced compared with her previous home.
She said: “Utility bills were a significant consideration when choosing this home. Thanks to the energy efficient refurbishments, including the brand-new combi-boiler, I’m paying approximately half of what I used to spend on electricity and gas, and I don’t have to worry about the unexpected maintenance costs of being a homeowner.
“If I ever have any queries or issues, the dedicated resident app means I get a response almost straight away, which feels more modern and straightforward than waiting endlessly on customer service phone lines.”
The location of The Weald was another deciding factor for Jess and her family. Jess adds: “The location is perfect. My daughter goes to a secondary school nearby, and the commute is straightforward for me to Farnborough. I love being in nature and going on long walks, and having woodland directly across the road, without having to drive to a trail, has been incredible over the summer. There’s a real community spirit which has been really welcoming for my family.”