OVER the past 30 years, the average age of a first-time buyer has increased from 27 to 34 years old and many more young professionals working in and around the City are choosing to rent rather than buy.

Renting a room in London or its suburbs is an attractive and viable option for young professionals because it provides flexibility, fixed costs and minimal hassle. However, preconceptions about sharing a rented house have been blown out the water by residential property investors, The Nice Group.

The Nice Group became aware of the number of people opting to rent as opposed to buy for convenience following the study by GE Money Home Lending and Customer Research Organisation into the increase in age of first-time buyers.

Hitting upon a gap in the market for high-quality rental accommodation desirable to young professionals, The Nice Group created Nice Room, a scheme offering an innovative branded living experience with many added extras.

Nice Room is a rented bedroom in a shared house of up to six rooms, but unlike student days when one would like in squalor, these rooms are refurbished and completely furnished with contemporary interiors to a high-specification.

Not only to tenants benefit from paying one hassle-free monthly payment which includes rent, council tax, water, gas, electricity and communal television license, they are also guaranteed a 24-hour maintenance hotline for assistant of gas, heating and electrical matters. Furthermore, a virtual landlord is appointed as a tenant's main port of contact when they take up residence in a Nice Room.

Living in a Nice Room isn't just about having a place to sleep and fancy appliances, The Nice Group has made an effort to build a strong social network within its accommodations. Each house has communal areas including a lounge complete with a sofa, television and a DVD player as well as a fully-fitted kitchen.

In addition, residents are invited to attend regular events held by The Nice Group, including pub crawls, wine tastings and ice skating. All the events are designed to get residents talking, creating a strong sense of community.

Chris Gale, sales and marketing director said: "Nice Rooms provides high-quality accommodation with a strong emphasis on personal relationships, excellent customer services and modern, well-maintained properties."

With properties stretching from Canary Wharf to Greenwich and New Cross to Stratford, Chris said: "We offer every resident a comfortable home to live in, rather than just a place to stay."

Thirty-year-old Charlie Seligman is a banker and has been living in rented accommodation since he moved to London when he finished university. After accompanying a friend to view a Nice Room, the idea of living with a group of like-minded people caught his attention and he later moved into a Nice Room in Lockes Wharf near Canary Wharf.

Charlie said: "Nice Room works for a number of reasons. Firstly it offers a flexible contract which, after the initial three-month period, can be cancelled with just one month's notice. Unlike a standard one-year contract, this doesn't tie you down.

"Secondly, the room is available completely furnished and the kitchen comes well-stocked with cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery."

He added: "Living in a Nice Room is like renting a lifestyle - not only are you renting a room, but you have opportunity to make new friends, have social events laid on and make the most of special local promotions.

"It's a communal living dream and I couldn't be happier."

For more information, visit niceroom.co.uk