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

Breaking News

Interest rates matter, but asking price is still what sells a home

Homes priced right first time find a buyer in around five weeks, while overpriced homes take three months longer, and new LRG research shows what buyers are looking for. The Bank of England’s latest decision to hold interest rates is welcome news for buyers and sellers, providing greater stability and confidence for those considering a…
Read More
Tips when buying at property auctions
Breaking News

Three-bedroom homes dominate Britain’s quick-sale market

The latest industry insight from the House Buyer Bureau reveals that the East and West Midlands are Britain’s quick sale hotspots, with three-bedroom homes proving the most common property type when it comes to quick-sale activity. House Buyer Bureau’s internal data* shows that in 2025 the company had contact with, and made a firm offer…
Read More
Breaking News

£3bn tenant deposit shake-up on the cards

Tenant deposit money could be affected by plans to abolish insured deposit schemes   The latest research from The Letting Partnership has revealed that more than £3bn worth of tenant deposits are currently protected via insured tenancy deposit schemes across England and Wales, highlighting the scale of the transition facing the lettings sector should the…
Read More
Breaking News

Brexit housing market winners and losers

England can’t keep pace with the other home nations And the south of England falls well behind the north   The latest research from Yopa has revealed a stark regional divide in house price growth since the Brexit referendum (June 23rd 2016), with Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and northern England recording some of the strongest…
Read More
Breaking News

The Rental Market is Rebalancing

But 78% of Tenants Still Can’t Find What They’re Looking For Nine in ten landlords believe the balance of power in the rental market has shifted in favour of tenants over the last two years – yet a quarter of tenants still feel landlords hold the upper hand, according to new research from LRG. The…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Dispelling the top five biggest letting agent myths

Sophie Danes, Group Director of Property Management, Lomond   This year has seen the introduction of the seismic Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) as well as other changes affecting the private rented sector (PRS) coming into force, such as the rollout of Making Tax Digital (MTD). As a result, more than ever before, there is a lot of information and speculation surrounding the sector making…
Read More