House sharing in London explained
🏠 House sharing in London is the most common way to live in the city helping you to keep costs down and make friends.
When you move to London one of the most important things you will need to do is find a place of your own to live. House sharing is the most common way to live in the city helping you to keep costs down and make friends.
However, finding a house share in London can be a very competitive process. According to SpareRoom, the number of renters looking for rooms has tripled since the start of 2021, while available rental listings have declined over the same period, meaning there are now 7x the amount of people looking than there are rooms available. 106,000 prospective tenants are applying for just 15,000 available rooms.
Reasons to house share
There are multiple reasons why house sharing in London has become the norm. House sharing in London is a great way to live in the city, keep costs down and can also be great way to meet new people.
Cost-effective 💸
Rent in London is the most expensive in the UK and the second most in Europe (only behind Paris). House sharing is the most cost-effective way to live in London as it allows you to split the rent, bills, and other expenses with other people. Rent is so expensive in London that some Londoners even choose to share a room to make it more affordable.
Make new friends 👯♂️
When you're new to the city and maybe you don't know many if any people, house sharing can be a great way to make friends. Because you'll be living with other people in a similar situation, it's most likely you will get to know and share experiences with your house mates.
House sharing is also a great way to make friends through your housemates. If you become friends with your house mates, chances are they will introduce you to their friends too.
More flexibility 🤸
House sharing can offer more flexibility than renting on your own. Most house shares operate with an agreement between multiple the tenants and the landlord. If you need to move out of London for a short time (eg. you wanted to travel around Europe for the summer), it may be easier to find someone to sublet your room while you're away, if you aren't locked into a specific lease. If you do need flexibility with your living situation, be sure to mention this to your potential housemates during the viewing process.
What to expect
It's important to know what you're up against and what you should be looking for. To help set your expectations of a house share in London, follow these tips...
Multiple housemates 👭
Whilst it can be common in other parts of the world to rent flats alone or with another house mate, in London it is common to live in bigger houses of 3-5 housemates. That doesn't mean you can't find smaller flats for 1-2 housemates, you can, but due to the size and amount of bedrooms in most London flats it is common to share with a group of people.
Competition for availability 🏎
The rental housing market in London is incredibly competitive, this makes it difficult to not only find a flat to rent in London, it is difficult to find a single room as well. The average vacant room post on spareroom.com can receive hundreds of applications.
For tips on how to stand out from the crowd and secure a room easier, purchase access to Migrate.
House rules 📐
House sharing usually involves a set of house rules, such as cleaning and cooking rotas, and guidelines for living in the shared space. It's important to be aware of these rules, and to make sure that you're comfortable with them before you agree to move in.
Privacy 💆
House sharing is often a compromise between cost-effectiveness and privacy, as you'll be sharing living spaces with other people. It's important to consider how much privacy you need, and to choose a house sharing arrangement that meets your own personal needs.
Finding a house share
Finding and securing your spot in a London house share can be a difficult process. However, there are things you can do to make the process easier and be sure you find a good living arrangement.
Determine your budget 💰
Knowing your budget before you start searching for a house share will help you narrow down your options. Consider factors such as rent, bills, and location, and decide how much you can afford to spend each month.
Define your criteria 📝
Decide what's important to you in a house share. Consider factors such as location, the size of the room, the type of living arrangement, the number of roommates, and the house rules.
Use online platforms 👨💻
There are several online platforms that are specifically designed for finding house shares in London, such as SpareRoom, EasyRoommate, and Gumtree. These platforms allow you to search for available rooms based on your criteria and budget, and to connect with potential roommates.
Ask around 🔊
Ask friends, family, and colleagues if they know of any available house share rooms. Word-of-mouth can be a great way to find a place to live, especially if you're looking for a friendly and trustworthy roommate.
Housemate compatibility 🤝
When house sharing, it's important to choose your housemates carefully, as you'll be living with them for a significant amount of time. It's a good idea to meet with potential housemates in advance, to ensure that you're compatible and have a good understanding of each other's living habits and preferences.
Attend open viewings 🚪
When you find a room that you're interested in, attend an open viewing to see the property in person. This will give you a better idea of the living arrangements, and will allow you to meet the potential roommates and ask any questions you may have.
Check references 👍
Before making a decision, ask for references from the current or previous roommates of the person you're considering living with. This will give you a better understanding of their personality, habits, and lifestyle, and can help you make an informed decision.
