Kayne Lewis, 25, lives in a new build-to-rent development on the waterfront in MediaCity UK at Salford Quays, Manchester.
Renters can enjoy an on-site gym, regular pet socials, a residents' lounge with free coffee and a communal garden.
How would you describe your home?
I live in a two-bedroom apartment in a development called Duet in MediaCityUK.
I live alone, except for my Chihuahua called Chase, so I have more than enough space.
I have two bathrooms, as well as a spacious open-plan living room and kitchen. It's the perfect spot for entertaining friends with fantastic views over the waterfront.
What attracted you to your flat?
For me, the real plus points were all the added extras you get. I have access to an on-site gym, communal working space and pet-friendly facilities, all included in my monthly rental fee.
I even get a free coffee every morning, which alone saves me about £15 a week.
The location is fantastic – I’m on the doorstep of the hustle and bustle of MediaCityUK, right on the waterfront and just a 10-minute tram journey from Manchester city centre.
Where did you live before?
Before I moved here in December 2019, I lived in Didsbury, South Manchester in a one-bedroom apartment with the smallest garden.
I wanted to move to MediaCityUK because of its close proximity to production companies like ITV, which is good for my work.
How much do you pay in rent a month?
I pay £1,190 a month for a furnished two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment.
As well as my rent, this includes free personal training at the gym, a communal garden, a 24-hr concierge service, the ease of hanging out in the residents' lounge and co-working space, plus weekly socials for everyone who lives here.
I pay £250 a month in bills, which covers electricity, water and council tax. I don’t really have any other monthly expenses as my gym is now included within my rent.
Looking for a new rental home?
Search for a new rental home by location, price, number of bedrooms and more.
What do you like about living here?
It's only been a couple of months but I'm loving every minute of it and it already feels like home. The building facilities make little things like going to the gym and working from home so easy and convenient.
The staff at Duet are really kind and helpful, and it’s totally hassle-free renting through a professional landlord.
Living in MediaCityUK means I have a great mix of restaurants, bars and shops right on my doorstep and it's a real hub for TV and creative industries, with ITV and the BBC based here.
I enjoy living alongside like-minded individuals who work in similar industries - you never know who you might meet just walking the dog.
Being able to keep pets here, for no additional charge, is a big bonus for me. Also, I just love the view.
I was born and raised in Manchester but this has been my most peaceful and productive time in terms of my career, all thanks to where I live.
My aim is to develop a small production company for young people to gain acting experience and credits as early as possible, so living close to prestigious theatres like The Lowry really helps to start those conversations.
How many places did you view before getting this place?
After searching for months and viewing a lot of potential flats, I noticed Duet during the building phase, I liked the design and location and just knew it would be the one.
I liked the concept that everything is managed online and through a professional landlord and the regular resident events give it that close-knit community feel I wanted.
Did you have to make any compromises from your on-paper wish list?
My new flat ticks most of my boxes, although it would have been nice to have a private garden. But the location more than makes up for it and there's the communal garden overlooking the Quays.
The most important thing for me is the ability to bring the outdoors inside. I have huge windows which makes keeping house plants super-easy as they get lots of sunlight. The additional bedroom gives me extra space to create my own urban jungle.
How have you made your rented place feel like home?
My flat came fully furnished with everything I need, but I’ve made it my own by adding my little touches like plants and bits of furniture in each room to make it feel more homely.
Do you have a distinctive home style?
I’d say it's pretty distinctive. I like mixing different themes to show off my personality.
My apartment came fully furnished with some pretty impressive furniture pieces, such as the blue sofa, so it made a great canvas to add my own personal stamp.
Do you plan to stay put or will you be moving?
Yes, I'll move eventually but I haven’t decided when, which is fine because my lease is super-flexible. I'd like to buy a house in the near future, which would probably involve moving out to the suburbs.
What is your home worth to you?
My flat means so much to me. I searched all over the city and didn’t find anywhere that I felt connected to as much as Duet.
The building has so many good things going for it, from the absolutely incredible staff who are on hand 24/7, to the spectacular views which look out over MediaCityUK and beyond.
All about... Salford Quays
Once one of the UK's busiest docks, Salford Quays is now an impressive urban regeneration project boasting high rise apartments, cool bars, restaurants and retail therapy for the keenest shoppers.
Old Trafford, the home ground of Manchester United, is just across the pretty Manchester Ship Canal, and a 20-minute walk from The Lowry, the theatre and arts space.
Salford Quays is popular with young professionals working in MediaCityUK and with those commuting into Manchester city centre, thanks to its prestigious waterfront views and strong transport links. Salford Quays is one of the more expensive areas in Greater Manchester to rent in.
There are three main tram stops that serve Salford Quays – Broadway, MediaCityUK, and Harbour City. That means you’re only ever a 20-minute tram ride from the centre of Manchester.
Regular buses take you towards the city centre and other nearby satellite towns like Didsbury. Or you can jump on a bike from one of the 300 bike racks in Salford Quays and be in the centre in less than 20 minutes.
If you’re a driver then you’re just three minutes from Junction 2 of the M602 which connects you to the rest of the country via the M60 and M62.
Duet is the first build-to-rent development in MediaCityUK. It's a luxury development of 270 residential apartments, spanning 15 storeys with one, two and three-bedroom apartments for rent only.