Florence’s journey to owning in Fulham
After facing repeated rent increases from private landlords, Florence, 29, started looking for a more secure way to stay in the area she loved. Her tenancy in Sands End was coming to an end when her landlord confirmed the monthly rent would rise by £500, taking the cost from £2,500 to £3,000 a month plus bills.
“That’s when I started looking into Shared Ownership,” says Florence. “Continuing to rent at those prices was becoming unrealistic, and this wasn’t the first time it had happened to me. Through Shared Ownership, I now have greater certainty and security over my housing costs.”
Florence bought a 25% share of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Peabody New Homes’ Chelsea Botanica development, with a full market value of £750,000. The move meant she could remain close to her previous home, while gaining the stability of owning a place of her own.
Finding a home at Chelsea Botanica
Florence had watched Chelsea Botanica take shape on her commute and had long hoped she might one day live there. When she discovered Peabody had built Shared Ownership homes at the development, buying in Fulham started to feel possible.
“I really wanted to stay in Fulham as I know and love the area so well, but I didn’t think I would be able to buy here given how expensive it is,” she says. “When I realised Peabody had built Shared Ownership homes at Chelsea Botanica, staying in Fulham suddenly became more than a dream.”
A new build home designed around everyday life
Now settled into her new two-bedroom apartment, Florence has been able to keep the parts of her day-to-day life she values most. She shares the home with her best friend and sausage dog Bonnie, with pet-friendly living giving her an added sense of security after the uncertainty of renting.
“One of the best things is that very little has changed about my day-to-day life,” says Florence. “It’s so easy to walk Bonnie along the Thames Path, and the gorgeous communal garden in the central space of the development makes it even easier to pop out with her quickly without even leaving the building.”
Living in Fulham, close to the Thames
Chelsea Botanica is located moments from the Thames Path and Imperial Park, with Imperial Wharf station around a five-minute walk away. For Florence, the location has helped her stay connected to the neighbourhood she already knew, while bringing new local favourites within easy reach.
“I love the Fulham Arms pub, which I’m now slightly further away from, but it’s still very local. I’m also closer to Chelsea Harbour Club, which I love going to for Pilates classes and a swim. I can see it from my balcony.”
Shared Ownership made staying local possible
Florence and her friend now pay just over £2,000 a month plus bills, around £500 less than their previous rent and even further below what they would have paid if they had stayed in their old rental home. For Florence, the biggest difference is knowing her monthly payments are helping her build equity in a home she owns.
“The difference is that I’m building equity in a home I own, rather than paying ever-increasing rent,” she says. “Above all, it’s given me security and peace of mind, which is something I really value.”
While the two-bedroom homes at Chelsea Botanica have now been fully reserved, a selection of one-bedroom Shared Ownership homes is available, with minimum deposits on 25% shares from £14,375 and monthly costs starting from £1,900.
