What is Shared Living?

As property prices continue to rise as well as day to day living costs from utilities to food, we have to take a serious look at spend – For sure things do not look like they are going to cool down anytime soon. So with such financial demand on us relentlessly we tend to look at alternatives that will help to reduce our weekly spend and especially for those looking to get on to the property market.

Average house prices in the UK have increased over £100,0000 in just over ten years.

What is shared living? Simply put, it means a larger shared living (also known as purpose build shared living) area that not only includes apartments with all amenities provided, but also social spaces from kitchens to gyms or even cinemas and working spaces that residents can take advantage of as part of their tenancy. Rental contracts can be as short as three months to twelve months and beyond. The shared spaces allow for you to network and socialise with other people in the building such as by enjoying cooking as a group or having a wine tasting evening which is just some of the benefits of shared living – All your bills are compacted in to one from rental to electricity. There will be security and maintenance along with added options of room cleaning.

The concept which is popular in some countries abroad such as Denmark, is slowly entering the UK scene. It gives consumers an economical and social living accommodation option. Ideal for all ages. Key benefits include:

  • Convenience
  • Economical
  • Modern
  • Social

What is Build to Rent? Build to Rent are new build developments designed specifically for renting. They come with a range of perks from longer tenancies to a dedicated on-site manager and purpose built communal spaces, as well as a premium price tag. source hoa.org.uk

Build to rent schemes are what provide the shared living accommodation which is highlighted in the video below:

 

You will own nothing and be happy is the concern for many especially when they hear the likes of Klaus Schwab telling the world where it will be by 2030, so is shared living gearing us up exactly for that? Home ownership seems to be for the select few these days especially with property price hikes, so is shared living / build to rent the new way forward where selected property owners control the lives, via well designed and functioning internal communities, of the many?

Watching the video above I can certainly see the allure for such living options, tempting indeed and for certain people highly recommended, but will this lead to much lower home ownership?

Here is our interview with Tom Janson from Jansons Property Investors & Developers on the subject of Build to Rent:

 

I personally see shared living as a great way to live your life, invaluable for those with busy lifestyles or even those wanting a better social life and it seems they have catered for all our day to day living needs. What money you haven’t tied up in a property purchase can be spent on the quality of your lifestyle or invested elsewhere, but are we really ready yet to ditch the owning of those four brick walls?

Unlike the Germans, who are a nation of renters, the desire to be a homeowner is firmly rooted in the British psyche. In 2003, the proportion of UK households owning their own home reached a peak of almost 71%.” source theconversation

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

How Technology is Changing the Prime Property Viewing Experience

The world of luxury real estate has always been about delivering a premium, personal experience. But in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, even the most traditional sectors are being reshaped by technology—and prime property viewings are no exception. From augmented reality to AI-driven virtual tours, the way buyers interact with high-end properties has changed dramatically.…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Average two-year fixed mortgage rate for 60% LTV now cheaper than five-year rate

The average two-year fixed mortgage rate for those with a 40% deposit (60% LTV) is now cheaper than the average five-year fixed equivalent, the first time this has happened since the mini-Budget The average two-year fixed, 60% LTV mortgage rate is now 4.18%, while the five-year equivalent is 4.19% The gap between average two-year fixed…
Read More
Overseas Property

How UK Property Investors Can Manage Exchange Rate Risk When Buying Off-Plan Overseas

Off-plan purchases are especially common in developing overseas property markets with a high proportion of international investors. In these less mature markets, a significant share of stock is sold directly by developers, making off-plan transactions a natural sales model. These opportunities appeal to international buyers because they typically require less upfront cash due to extended…
Read More
Breaking News

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – March 2025

London rental market gains momentum as new rental listings surge, Foxtons data shows   March saw a 14% increase in new rental listings across London compared to February Applicant registrations rose by 11% month-on-month in March. Year on year, demand was stable, tracking just 2% below March 2024 levels The average rent in March stood…
Read More
Breaking News

UK’s mid-market firms show improved business growth in March but economic uncertainty continues

Key findings: NatWest’s Mid-market Growth Tracker shows improved business growth in March, led by a strong service sector performance SMEs register a softer decline in output levels during March Market conditions remain challenging and we could see continued challenges in the coming months   Mid-market businesses continued to outperform the wider UK economy in March,…
Read More
Breaking News

ONS Private rent and house prices UK – April 2025

The Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR) measures private rent inflation for new and existing tenancies. The UK House Price Index measures house price inflation. Main Headlines Average UK monthly private rents increased by 7.7%, to £1,332, in the 12 months to March 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 8.1% in…
Read More