Nine in 10 young flat sharers say they’ve lived with a ‘housemate horror’
- Leaving dirty crockery in the sink and blasting music or the TV at antisocial hours top the list of most common ‘housemate horror’ traits
- New types of frightful flatmates have emerged including ‘Nocturnal Gamers’, ‘Persistent Puffers’ and ‘WhatsApp Micromanagers’
- 64 per cent of house-sharers say ‘horror housemates’ have cost them money by not paying their share of bills, communal costs or damages – at an average of £553.20 for each year they lived together
- 69 per cent say house-sharing has made them more determined to get on the property ladder
- The findings mark the launch of a new campaign, highlighting ways in which Barclays can support people to get on the property ladder such as Mortgage Boost
New Barclays research shows that an overwhelming majority of renters deal with common house sharing gripes – from dirty dishes to indoor vaping – though few are willing to admit they could be responsible. While these ‘housemate horrors’ often lead to passive-aggressive coping tactics, they are also prompting renters to consider their options and take the first steps towards getting on the property ladder.
Nine in 10 Millennial and Gen Z renters (88 per cent) report that they have clashed with housemates over shared-space etiquette. However, only a third (33 per cent) admit they could be a ‘horror housemate’ themselves.
Many of the age-old frictions that come with house sharing remain a challenge, with playing loud music or watching TV at unsociable hours (30 per cent) and dirty dishes, mugs or cutlery being left in the sink (29 per cent) topping the list of complaints among Millennials and Gen Zs.
However, new modern irritations are emerging. One in five young house-sharers (19 per cent) have lived with a Nocturnal Gamer, whose late-night sessions disturb others, while 17 per cent say they have shared with a Persistent Puffer, who regularly vapes or smokes indoors.
Meanwhile, 18 per cent of Millennials and Gen Z have had to endure WhatsApp Micromanagers, who bombard the house group chat with endless reminders or passive-aggressive messages, and 12 per cent have navigated the awkwardness of Serial Snappers, who constantly film social media content in communal areas.
Millennials have a particular gripe against Permanent Plus-ones – those who let overnight guests overstay without chipping in for bills – experienced by 27 per cent, while 21 per cent have lived with Blender Blasters, who fire up appliances at all hours. Meanwhile, 18 per cent of Millennials have had to put up with Trend Talkers – housemates who never stop obsessing over gossip, online hype, or the latest must-know topics.
| Gen Z and Millennials’ Top Ten Housemate Horrors | |
|
30% |
|
29% |
|
27% |
|
26% |
|
25% |
|
24% |
|
23% |
|
21% |
|
20% |
|
19.6% |
These flatmate frustrations are driving many renters to seek their own space. Six in 10 Gen Z and Millennial house-sharers (62 per cent) plan to leave their current house-share within the next 12 months, having run out of patience with dirty dishes, overflowing bins and all the little annoyances that come with communal living.
Two thirds (65 per cent) would rather pay more to live solo, and seven in 10 (68 per cent) say house-sharing has made them more determined to buy their own home. Nearly half of renters (45 per cent) have already started researching mortgages or first-time buyer schemes to help them reach their goal sooner.
Surviving shared living
Two thirds of house-sharers (64 per cent) say that ‘horror housemates’ have cost them money by not paying their share of bills, communal costs or damages. For those impacted, the costs add up – with sharers reportedly having to fork out an extra £553.20, on average, each year when living with a horror housemate.
As a result of ‘horror’ habits, almost nine in 10 (86 per cent) young house-sharers have resorted to passive aggressive tactics to retaliate against their fellow sharers. This includes moving belongings left strewn around into inconvenient places for the culprit to find (29 per cent), using the ‘silent treatment’ (27 per cent), rearranging items in a way that points out a housemate’s mess (26 per cent), and letting the washing-up pile up to make a point (21 per cent).
Almost a quarter (24 per cent) admit to leaving notes or subtle hints around the home instead of addressing issues directly, and nearly a fifth (17 per cent) have even deliberately delayed taking out the rubbish until the smell forced their flatmates to notice.
Parents lose patience
It’s not just renters who think they couldn’t possibly be the problem – parents feel the same way. Only 11 per cent of parents with house-sharing children suspect their offspring might actually be a horror housemate themselves. Meanwhile, more than half (51 per cent) of parents worry about their child living in a shared house. Over a fifth (22 per cent) of those with a house-sharing child would rather help their child buy a home than see them continue renting, while a further 20 per cent wish they could assist but simply don’t have the funds available.
Young renters are ready to take their parents up on offers of help. Two fifths (42 per cent) are considering moving back in with their parents to escape tricky flatmates, and over a third (35 per cent) are seeking financial support from family to break free from a house-share nightmare.
For those ready to take a further step and buy their first home, Barclays Mortgage Boost allows family and friends to give support, without needing to provide a lump sum. Their income is used to help buyers borrow more, by joining the mortgage without owning the property.
Dr Becky Spelman, Psychologist and Founder of Private Therapy Clinic, said: “Even the best friendships are tested when you live together. Sharing a home can be both comforting and challenging, because our different routines, habits and emotional needs inevitably collide. Small things can start to feel personal, when really, they’re often about people protecting their own comfort or managing stress. The healthiest way to navigate these moments is through open, respectful communication rather than silence or resentment.
“Modern house-sharing can be intense, but it also helps us learn patience, empathy and boundaries. It’s completely normal to crave independence or dream of your own space; that’s not a rejection of your friendships, it’s a natural step in adult life and personal growth.
Jatin Patel, Head of Mortgages, Savings and Insurance at Barclays, said: “House-sharing is a rite of passage for many young adults, but the reality of splitting bills, chasing rent payments and covering extra costs due to housemate issues is making young renters think more seriously about their own financial future.
“It’s no surprise so many renters want to explore how they could buy a place of their own, but saving for a deposit is the main barrier they face. While families often want to help, they can’t always afford to gift money, so Barclays Mortgage Boost bridges that gap, helping first-time buyers turn aspirations about ‘one day owning a place’ into a real plan for home ownership.”
Real housemate horror stories
Past and present house-sharers surveyed told some of their weirdest and worst housemate horror stories:
Composting craze: “My housemate once decided to start “composting” indoors by keeping a bucket of food scraps under the sink. She forgot about it for weeks, and one day I discovered it had basically turned into a small ecosystem – mould, fruit flies, the works. The funniest part was that she insisted it was “eco-friendly” and refused to throw it out until I staged an intervention with gloves and masks.”
Odorous onions: “My housemate once decided to start a wellness journey and began boiling onions in the kitchen every morning because she would read it purifies the air. The entire house stank for a week, and she insisted we would all be breathing better because of it. I admired her dedication, but it was nearly impossible to eat breakfast without gagging.”
Shampoo sham: “My housemate used to ‘borrow’ shampoo by refilling the bottle with water and pretending nothing happened. I also had a roommate who labelled every single grape in the fridge with his initials.”
Barclays has launched a new campaign, highlighting ways in which the Bank can support people to get on the property ladder, such as Mortgage Boost.
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