‘I didn’t think a way to rent a new-build house existed’: Dad finds the perfect, pet-friendly, family home with no deposit
Having spent the last few years renting an old cottage out in the countryside, Jonathan O’Neill, 49, head of CAFM at Skanska UK, was determined to find a home nearer to his children as they grew up. Frustrated with the challenges of the traditional rental market, especially when it came to finding a place that would welcome both kids and pets, Jonathan had been searching for the right fit. Little did he know, while picking up his children, he had been driving past the very development where his dream home was being built. A modern, pet-friendly home designed for families, it offered a no-deposit rental option which halved his energy bills.
Jonathan chose a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home at Buckler’s Park in Crowthorne, for £2,350 a month, through professional rental provider Leaf Living. His new home is only 4.5 miles from Bracknell where his children stay with their mum during the weekdays.
Jonathan took advantage of the no-deposit option offered through Leaf Living’s partnership with flatfair, which replaces the traditional security deposit with a one-time fee equivalent to one week’s rent. Jonathan adds: “Moving is already a stressful experience, piling on top of that the need to find a huge chunk of money to cover a deposit, whilst your old deposit is still tied up until after you move out, it is a huge burden. Being able to pursue a no deposit option completely calmed my nerves and put me in a much better place to think about the move.”
“When I originally spotted Buckler’s Park, I really loved it, but I didn’t think there was any way I could afford to live in the new development. I’m not in a position to buy and I didn’t think a way to rent a new-build house existed. It was only when doing more searching on Rightmove that I discovered Leaf Living and the homes they had available to rent in the neighbourhood.”
“When I decided to move, I knew I wanted a more modern home. Although living in an old cottage in the country was beautiful, it was also very impractical and costly. The summer was lovely, but winters would be horrendous and my energy bills soared to over £300 a month. I knew I needed something newer that would be more energy efficient, but I never dreamed I could rent a brand-new home. It has brought down my energy bills by half, so even though rent is higher, more manageable bills has balanced this out for me.”
Jonathan comments: “My biggest challenge was finding a new home that suited my family’s needs whilst navigating the restrictions in the rental market. It felt like I was laughed off the phone when I mentioned I was a parent with pets. When I called Leaf Living, it was a relief to hear that they provided homes for real families; it completely reassured me that I had found my perfect home.”
Nestled in the village of Crowthorne, Berkshire, the homes at Buckler’s Park provide an ideal setting for family life, just a 20-minute walk from the village high street with convenient access to local amenities. The development is surrounded by lush green space, including Buckler’s Forest, just half a mile away, offering plenty of walking and cycling routes. Crowthorne station is only a seven-minute drive from the homes, with a quick 43-minute train journey to London Paddington via Reading.
Jonathan adds: "Living in the countryside was impractical; everything required a drive, even the local pub was a half-hour walk. I wanted a place where my children could get around easily and safely. Buckler’s Park is ideal, it’s well-connected yet calm, with green spaces to explore. It's more accessible than the countryside, so I spend more time in nature now. Being in a village means a bus stop at the end of the road for my kids and a train station so I can get to London for work."
Leaf Living’s homes are built to impressive specifications. All kitchens include a range of integrated appliances, and houses boast modern family bathrooms and ground floor WCs. Every house has a private garden with a lawn and patio. All residents will receive Sky Superfast broadband and will have access to a range of smart devices, including video doorbells and chime for enhanced security, Hive Thermostats and Yale Keyless smart locks. All these devices can be conveniently managed and monitored through a user-friendly mobile interface. “The home itself is great; it has the perfect amount of room inside and in the garden for me and the kids to all enjoy. I also work from home most days so broadband being included was a huge plus, there was no faffing about when I moved in and it’s another element I just don’t have to worry about.”
“Renting through a professional company has been a completely different experience; from the moment I called the team has been incredibly supportive. Sally, our Lettings Consultant, was fantastic at reassuring me that the home would be a great fit for my family. Since moving in, the Property Manager, Alex, has been incredibly responsive and quick to address any questions I’ve had.”