Only Fools and Horses flat rent skyrockets - and now even Del Boy can't afford it

The Trotters' flat from Only Fools and Horses, aside from Buckingham Palace, is arguably one of the most iconic residences in London. The fictional home, situated on the 12th floor of Nelson Mandela House on Nyrere Estate, Peckham, was built in 1960.

Only Fools and Horses, which first aired on the BBC in 1981, followed the highs and lows of the Trotter family living in a council estate in Peckham. The three-bedroom South London flat was home to Del Boy Trotter (portrayed by David Jason), his younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and their Grandad (Lennard Pearce).

Following Grandad's death, his brother Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield) cheekily moved in, with Raquel Turner (Tessa Peake-Jones) joining as Del's significant other. They later welcomed their son Damien Trotter, making the Trotters' flat a 'true' family home.

Del Boy always dreamt of becoming a millionaire. In the 1996 episode titled Time On Our Hands, the Trotter family stumbled upon their fortune when an antique watch sold for a staggering £6.2 million.

Finally, the Trotters realised their dream of wealth, splashing out on luxury properties, holidays, and cars, reports the Mirror.

However, in the 2001 episode If They Could See Us Now..., Del suddenly lost all his money after investing in the Central American stock market, which subsequently crashed. This left him penniless and forced him to return to Peckham, according to MyLondon.

Peckham has seen a dramatic transformation, becoming a hotbed of business activity and a thriving nightlife centre, perfect for city workers.

The area features an energetic high street, an abundance of spots for foodies and socialites, and offers rapid train services that transport you to the heart of London in a mere 10 minutes.

The famous Trotters flat from the beloved sitcom Only Fools and Horses, located in Peckham, would undoubtedly command a hefty sum in the current property market.

Foxtons reports that, as of 2024, the going rate for a three-bedroom Peckham residence is around £593,706, with properties on the market fluctuating between £300,000 to £1,300,000.

If one were to rent a comparable abode, it would cost about £685 per week, or roughly £2,968 each month over an annual period.

Reflecting on 1981, the fictional Trotters' paid close to £150 a month for their three-bedroom council flat. In todays financial climate, our wheeler-dealer Del Boy would be hustling overtime at the markets to cover these lofty rents!

Alternatively, had the savvy salesman decided to buy his council flat and cashed out in 2023, hed be laughing all the way to the bank, likely celebrating with his trademark "Bonnet de douche!"