It was by far the worst house I've ever lived in. 15 years since, I still love it.

A graffiti and stone-clad Fifties end of terrace, it had been extended and rearranged in every horrible way imaginable. Each room had a different floor level to the last.

The shower room was technically a 'shower cupboard'; its walls turned out to have been made from old front doors (complete with letterboxes) and newspaper. Waterproof, it was not.

The living room was actually only half living. The other half had been converted to fifth 'bedroom', with the two separated down the middle by an old set of curtains. The bedroom side had no windows, and even less privacy.

We found the original coal cellar when my housemate suddenly fell through a board under the carpet in the front porch. Who could live in a house like this?

It turns out five of us could, and those two years would be life changing. Yes, we were university students renting a home for the first time. Crucially, the house was close to lectures, the student union and the town centre. It hosted parties, hangovers, exam stresses, relationship dramas and, most importantly, friendships that still endure with many years and miles in between.

I would change everything about the house itself but nothing about the two years spent there. I was sad to leave, as moving on meant more than closing a door – it meant our university days were finally over.

They had been first class even if our accommodation wasn't.

DMcD, Brighton

Further information

What makes a house a home and why does it matter so much? Our new series, 'Moving Stories', inspired by Savills new advertising campaign, explores the complex relationship between home and home-owner with funny, sad and bittersweet reflections on moving out, moving in and moving on.

We invite you to submit your own Moving Stories and we will donate £50 to Dreams Come True for every one we publish on Savills UK Blog. We'll also make a donation for every story submitted for consideration.