We asked housemates what really matters when living together
Finding a new houseshare can feel like a gamble. Will it be the warm, welcoming home of your dreams, or the kind of place you actively avoid until bedtime? With so many variables at play, what should you actually be looking for when viewing a co-living house, and what questions are worth asking the current tenants?
To get real answers, COHO, the HMO management platform, went straight to the source, surveying over 500 current houseshare tenants across the UK. The goal? To find out what advice they’d give to someone on the hunt for their next shared home.
Compatibility is Key
When asked about the most important factor when choosing a houseshare, the clear winner was housemate compatibility. Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) agreed that ensuring you’re a good fit with the existing housemates is absolutely crucial.
Closely following that was the advice to double-check exactly what’s included in the rent bill, such as Wi-Fi, water, cleaning services, etc. Nearly one in five (19%) stressed the importance of this because you don’t want to be caught out by a bill you can’t afford having just signed a 12-month tenancy agreement.
What to look for during a viewing
When it comes to in-person viewings, the top tip, shared by 21% of tenants, is to observe the social dynamic of the house. Take the time to chat, notice how the housemates interact, and picture yourself in the mix. Are you going to feel comfortable? Will you be free to be your natural self? Are they giving off chilled Sunday roast energy, or does every moment feel like it could break into an impromptu house party?
Other practical tips include:
Check the cleanliness and general condition of the house (18%)
Ask about the bathroom situation: how many are there, and how many people share them (16%)
Assess property security: is the front door solid, do the windows lock securely. Are you going to feel safe? (15%)
Getting to know the housemates
So, if compatibility is king, how can you actually tell if you’ll get along?
Three in ten (30%) say the secret lies in understanding your potential housemates’ lifestyles. What do they do for work? What hours do they keep? What kind of activities are they into? Is it a party house, a Netflix-and-board-games setup, or somewhere in between?
To get the lowdown, 27% of tenants recommend having a proper, open conversation during the viewing. Try and take it beyond the usual polite small talk and be as honest as you can be about what you’re looking for. Meanwhile, 22% advise trusting your gut: if the vibe feels off, it probably is.
Avoiding co-Living chaos
Why is all this so important? Because, as many seasoned housemates know, a mismatched houseshare can turn sour fast. The biggest sources of conflict, according to those surveyed, include:
Clashing personalities (24%)
Disagreements over cleaning and chores (23%)
Noise, unexpected guests, and broken house rules (20%)
While there’s no magic formula for the perfect houseshare, it’s clear that a bit of due diligence upfront can go a long way toward avoiding awkward dinners, passive-aggressive post-its, and group chats full of cleaning rota drama.
COHO Founder and CEO, Vann Vogstad, commented:
“Housemate compatibility isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the foundation of any great co-living experience.
When people feel aligned in lifestyle, values, and expectations, the house becomes more than just a roof over your head, it becomes a true home.
That’s why we ensure that lifestyle and interest information is front and centre on all our property listings. It’s not just about the number of bedrooms or whether bills are included, it’s about helping people find the kind of home where they genuinely belong, somewhere that enriches their life, gives them a still point in a turning world, and even sets them up with friendships that last a lifetime.”
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