- The odds of UK flatsharers having access to living rooms is now 50:50.
- More than four in 10 (44%) believe not having a living room may have affected their mental health.
- But more than a third (36%) of people renting in shared properties would willingly forego a living room for cheaper rent.
Almost half (49%) of 2,000+ renters living in shared homes, surveyed by flatshare site SpareRoom, say the living room in their current home is now being used as a bedroom.
A large majority-80%-say this was the landlord's choice, while only 7% say it was a decision made by housemates (11% weren't sure). Landlords, too, are facing increased costs and, in a recent survey, 88% said they had lost confidence in the rental market, with 71% citing reduced profitability as a contributing factor.
Despite the social benefits of sharing, 36% of renters say they'd be willing to give up access to any communal space in exchange for a discount on their rents.
Of those with no access to a living room:
- Almost a third (32%) estimate the discount on their rent is less than 20% compared to the average rent for their area; but 43% believe their rent isn't any cheaper.
- More than half (54%) think not having a living room has negatively affected their relationship with their housemates.
- Close to half (46%) never socialise with their housemates.
- More than four in 10 (44%) believe not having a living room may have affected their mental health.
- Alternative locations to hang out include the kitchen (55%), someone's bedroom (14%) and the garden (9%), while 11% go out to socialise.
When asked why they chose to rent in a home without a living room, 45% said they were swayed by the more affordable rent, while 36% said they simply couldn't find any available options with living rooms within their budget or preferred location. And almost one in 10 (9%) said their living room was converted into a bedroom while they were living there. The table below shows all responses to this question:
| Why did you choose to rent a room in a home without a living room? (select all that apply) | Responses |
|---|---|
| The rent was more affordable | 45% |
| I couldn't find anywhere to rent that had a living room | 36% |
| I liked the property and it didn't have a living room | 22% |
| I wasn't bothered about having communal space | 16% |
| The kitchen had space to socialise | 11% |
| The property had a living room when I moved in, but it has since been converted into a bedroom | 9% |
(Source: SpareRoom survey, 2025)
Matt Hutchinson, director of flatshare site SpareRoom, comments: “One of the top benefits of shared living is how sociable it is. People meet their friends and partners and make life-changing connections through flatsharing. But take away the communal spaces, and those moments may never happen.
“As for the savings, sacrificing a living room for lower rent may end up being a false economy. Some sharers told us that, by having to go out to socialise with their housemates instead of doing it at home, they were in fact spending more money each month.
“And then there's the impact on mental health. Not being able to invite guests over for a meal can leave people feeling isolated and lonely. In shared homes where living rooms are now bedrooms, there isn't always dining space in the kitchen, which means people end up eating their meals in their bedrooms, often alone. People also told us they can struggle to switch off, because they don't have a separate space in which to wind down. No one wants to feel as though they live in a bedroom instead of a home.”