At Remitly, we understand that renting can be complicated. There’s a lot to think about: finances, social factors, and legal aspects. In this guide, we’ll explore the essentials of shared living.
We’ll look at HMOs and student house-shares, along with other key points. We’ll look at the benefits and challenges, and offer tips to help you decide if sharing a living space is right for you.
Definition and Overview
Shared living accommodations, often called house shares, co-living, or HMOs, allow multiple tenants to occupy a single property. They share common spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, or lounges. Unlike fully self-contained flats, these models offer lower average rent and more social interaction, which can be especially helpful if you’re just settling in the UK.
What is “shared living” in the UK?
Shared living spaces, known as house shares, co-living, or HMOs, accommodate several tenants in one property. They share common areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. Unlike fully self-contained flats, shared living often involves multiple people occupying separate bedrooms but sharing common areas.
- House share
A typical family home or large property subdivided into separate bedrooms.
- HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation)
A property rented by three or more people from different households. They usually share bathroom or kitchen facilities. - Co-living
A modern approach that offers designed communal areas, social events, and integrated services for residents. Usually this will be within a purpose-built development.
Keeping track of your share of rent, deposit contributions, and shared bills, can sometimes get complicated. So check out our handy financial tips for renters.
Historical context and evolution
The concept of sharing a living space isn’t new. After World War II, with a housing shortage in many parts of the country, many large Victorian-era houses in England were turned into multi-tenanted homes. This provided affordable accommodation for people.
Local councils introduced rules for HMOs over time. These rules focused on safety, covering fire exits and minimum sizes for rooms.
As renting in the UK grew more expensive, many students, young professionals, and new immigrants wanted flexible options. This led to a rise in shared living models, with specialist property developers beginning to construct purpose-built communal living spaces. They focus on community ties, host events for tenants, and can provide stylish furniture.
This change shows how much the shared landscape has grown. It ranges from basic bedroom-and-bathroom accommodation to stylish, upscale group living.
Understanding your options helps you pick a setup that matches your budget and lifestyle. Some focus on being budget-friendly and simple. Others target specific groups, like students or people needing extra support.
Co-living spaces and HMOs
Modern co-living merges typical house-sharing with convenience and style. Property owners and managers might provide attractive communal lounges, coworking areas, and on-site gyms.
Rent often includes all your bills, internet, and cleaning services. This can be appealing to people who want a community vibe but don’t want to have to set up services for everybody separately.
HMOs, by contrast, are a formal classification. In the UK, an HMO usually has at least three tenants from different households who share facilities. Landlords must follow strict rules. This includes having fire doors, safety certificates, and maybe a local authority licence.
Shared student accommodations
Shared housing is a popular choice among students. Shared flats or student halls with communal kitchens help them make friends and share costs. The things to think about include:
- Cost savings
Bills and rent are shared, making things easier for students on tight budgets. - Social environment
Living with peers creates study groups, social circles, and fun experiences. - Landlord experience
Properties near campuses often meet student needs, but not all of them are kept in top condition.
Before committing, confirm that the arrangement suits your academic life. If you want a quieter lifestyle, a typical student house share might be too much for you, as you might end up in a house that’s popular for late-night gatherings.
Supported accommodation models
Supported accommodation provides a communal space for people needing extra help. This includes older adults, people with disabilities, and those moving on from homelessness.
Staff or volunteers are available on-site to assist. This may include social services, mental health support, or programs that help residents live independently.
Examples include:
- Shared lives schemes
Residents stay with a host family. They get a room and daily support or companionship. - Supported housing
A local authority, private company or charity takes care of the property. They ensure safety and provide personalised support, such as therapy sessions or help with finding jobs.
If you’re considering supported accommodation, your local council’s housing department or charities like Crisis might assist in finding the right arrangement.
Why choose shared housing? Besides the obvious cost savings, there’s a rich social dimension you won’t get from a studio flat:
Cost benefits and financial considerations
Living together in a house or flat usually means lower rent for each person. You also split the costs for water, electricity, and internet, which helps save money.
This arrangement can be very useful for newcomers to the UK who might not have steady incomes or credit references yet. Splitting a deposit four ways can also be easier than shelling out the whole cost alone.
Some co-living operators combine bills, cleaning, and other perks into one monthly fee. This makes budgeting easier. By combining costs, you reduce the risk of missing payments or dealing with changing utility charges.
If your name isn’t on the utility bills, however, it can cause problems later on if you ever need to prove you’re a UK resident. Check out our guide on proving residency without bills to help with that.
Social and community benefits
Living with others can help reduce loneliness, especially if you’ve just moved to a new city or country. Talking with housemates builds friendships and can provide tips on the local area like where to find the best groceries or how to use public transport. Communal cooking, film nights, and weekend trips help build a supportive micro-community.
This dynamic is great for immigrants. It will help you practise English, understand cultural norms, and meet people from various backgrounds. Many tenants appreciate the “family away from home” vibe of shared living.
Personal development and learning opportunities
Living with different housemates means you often need to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and make decisions as a group. These are important skills for work and social settings. It’s a chance to learn. It can challenge what you think, widen your worldview, and improve how you communicate.
You might discover new recipes, hobbies, or languages from housemates with diverse backgrounds as you interact or collaborate on projects. Overall, shared living can be a test for personal growth. It pushes you out of your comfort zone but does so in a supportive setting.
Challenges and Considerations
Shared living isn’t always sunshine and harmony. From thinking about noise to potential privacy issues, you’ll need to weigh the negatives too. But with open dialogue and clear rules, most obstacles can be smoothed out.
Potential disadvantages
Shared living isn’t for everyone. Some common drawbacks include:
- Limited privacy
Even with your own bedroom, you’ll likely share bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. - Noise and mess
One messy or loud housemate can affect everyone’s comfort. - Scheduling conflicts
When several people want to cook dinner or shower at the same time, it can cause tension. - Personality clashes
Different lifestyles may cause tension. You might be an early riser, while your housemates are night-owls.
Managing social dynamics and housemate relations
Small issues, like an unwashed plate, can escalate if not addressed politely and promptly. Some useful strategies include:
- House meetings
Set occasional gatherings where everyone can discuss bills, chores, or rules. - Cleaning rota
An agreed schedule for tidying common areas encourages fairness. - Respect boundaries
Headphones at night if you enjoy loud music, or a courtesy text if you plan to have friends over.
Being empathetic and open-minded fosters mutual respect. If you face big issues, like late rent or harassment, keep your landlord’s or local council’s contact details handy. You might need them for mediation.
Legal and privacy considerations
Data privacy matters when multiple people share the same address, so resist rummaging through someone’s mail or storing personal details. Also, check if each occupant has a separate tenancy agreement or if you’re joint tenants. In a joint tenancy, everyone shares responsibility for the full rent so if one person leaves, the others must make up the shortfall or find another tenant.
Landlord licensing can also play a role, especially in HMOs. Some local councils require additional safety measures for properties with multiple occupants and the rules are different in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If your landlord isn’t licensed and should be, it might be a sign that there are bigger compliance problems like safe wiring or fire prevention.
Practical Tips and Advice
Choosing the right shared accommodation
Before you commit:
- Assess property conditions
Inspect rooms, communal areas, and safety features like smoke alarms. - Location
Balance proximity to work or campus with the cost of rent and transport options. - Housemate compatibility
If possible, meet prospective housemates. Ask about schedules, noise tolerance, and cleanliness standards.
Read the UK government’s guide on renting rooms in someone’s home if you rent from a resident landlord. The rules will be a bit different from living in a fully licensed HMO.
Tips for a harmonious shared living experience
Once you move in, set ground rules early:
- Chore rotation
Divide cleaning tasks weekly or monthly. - Shared supplies
Decide if you’ll create a pot of money together for common items like toilet paper or washing-up liquid. - Communication
Establish a group chat for quick updates, requests, or announcements.
Boundaries matter in communal living so even if you’re sociable, respect housemates who need downtime. If you feel alone, stay in touch. This helps you avoid looking distant or resentful.
Managing finances and shared expenses
Rent is often your biggest expense. But utilities, streaming services, and extras like subscription meal kits can add up too. Some households set up a joint bank account or an app like Splitwise to track shared bills.
Some of the financial elements to consider:
- Due dates
Ensure everyone knows when rent and bills are due. Late or missed payments can strain relationships and attract penalties from service providers. - Agreed-upon extras
If some people want premium TV channels but others don’t watch TV, talk about how to split the costs. You may also exempt those who won’t use the service. - Deposit
Explain how deposit returns will be shared if damage happens in common areas and no one takes responsibility.
FAQs
What are the rules for shared accommodation?
Rules vary based on local council by-laws, landlord preferences, or specific arrangements like HMOs. Generally, each occupant must follow the tenancy agreement to pay rent on time, avoid damaging communal spaces, and so on. Landlord responsibilities include maintaining safety standards and addressing repairs promptly.
What are the disadvantages of shared accommodations?
Shared living can limit privacy—it may cause personality clashes and lead to arguments about noise or chores. Some arrangements feel cramped if communal areas are small or poorly maintained. Joint tenancies also mean you might be liable for someone else’s unpaid share if they suddenly move out or stop paying rent.
Is shared accommodation a good idea?
That depends on your personality, lifestyle, and budget. Shared living could be perfect for you if you like social connections, want to save money, or need transitional housing while settling in the UK. If you want independence or need more space, a self-contained flat might be a better choice. Consider the pros and cons carefully before deciding.
What does “shared accommodation” mean in the UK?
It usually means sharing a property with others. You’ll share facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. You’ll have your own bedroom but rely on communal areas. The arrangement could be a house share, co-living scheme, or HMO. It depends on how many people live there and how the landlord runs it.