Cost and convenience are two of the key factors for most people when choosing somewhere to rent. Alan Chorley and his son Luke were looking for somewhere to live from Monday to Friday in Southampton near where they work, returning to their homes in South Wales at the weekend. They came across hugg, a new model for affordable housing based on modular homes. Fully furnished and ready to move into, hugg ticked all of their boxes for somewhere to live during their working week.

hugg’s pop-up housing developments offer a cost-effective and high quality solution to the shortage of affordable housing options in the UK, with units offered at below market rates. hugg is able to capitalise on land that is going through the planning process by erecting bespoke temporary units available for rent to meet local housing needs.

Alan and Luke moved into hugg’s first development in the Chapel Riverside area of Southampton at the beginning of the year. They both work for an industrial supplier and have been based at Fawley Refinery for the past three years. Working so far from home, they have no choice but to rent somewhere to live and despite an allowance from the company for being away from home, increasing costs were becoming an issue.  

Alan comments: “I have stayed in lots of rented accommodation over the years and hugg is very good quality. The rented houses we had in the past were expensive and landlords were putting the prices up every six months. Our hugg is ideal for us and has everything we need. It is warm, well built and it was all brand new when we moved in.”

hugg Southampton is conveniently located close to the city centre and offers a range of one and two bedroom layouts. Each comes furnished with contemporary furniture and fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, modern fully tiled shower room, electric heating and a lockable storage unit to the exterior. For residents’ peace of mind, the hugg development also has a local managing agent and 24-hour maintenance service provider.

Alan continues: “Housing like this definitely suits a need. The flexible nature is ideal for people who work as contractors like us, but I can see that it would suit plenty of other people too. For me, it is an added bonus that I get to spend time with my son during the week – the lockable storage unit is perfect for our golf clubs and on a summer’s evening we can go and enjoy a round of golf together.”