Can't afford to rent. Starting to panic.

[PreciousOcean]

Living with a parent. Zero council housing available. Stuck in one bedroom with a 2 year old. I don't sleep. Childcare costs drain me and I'm on a low income. I pay my family member a decent amount for rent of a room (450 + bills) so whilst nowhere near as high as rent, I can't claim universal credit for it as he is immediate family. My eyes water when I think about trying to save for a deposit. I don't know what to do. I'm in my 30s living with my dad. I lost a potential relationship over it. Does anyone have any constructive advice? So many people I know are struggling to rent. Especially single parents who can't lodge...

forinborin we might have slightly different ideas as to which areas of London are 'central'.

I have lived here my entire life and have no idea where you can currently rent a room in a house within central London (by which I mean zone 1) for £800.

I live close to the centre in zone 2 where £800 might get you a small room in an ex local authority flat.

I don't know what you'd consider a 'posh'. area as in general most boroughs have pockets of affluence but in the wealthiest areas (e.g. Kensington, Islington) I think you'd struggle to find a decent room for that price.

@Eastie77 I live in zone one, within earshot of Big Ben, and have just had a look on spareroom.com and there are multiple rooms available for well under £800. Yes, some of them are singles, in shares flats with only kitchen and not shared living room, but if you are a 20 something out all the time (in normal times) it would be better than paying to commute.