CO reckoned that if we pooled the grant, then asked the other members to make a small contribution, our commune could easily afford the £122.50 a week rent on this tower block flat.

TM and SC were certainly up for it, but I had my doubts. I didn’t like the forlorn state of the accommodation. More importantly, I did not want to be responsible for a decision that would later lead to arguments over a tiny sum left in the kitty.