Flatshares For Couples

Flatshares for couples – no ideal but sometimes the only option.

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Aaron

I read an article this week that states the follow: (courtesy of property118.com)

• 44% of couples living in flatshares say their living situation is affecting future plans to start families
• 14% of couples in flatshares say they will never be able to afford to buy property
• 35% of couples say the biggest challenge is finding flatshares that will accept couples
• 13% of couples say they won’t even be able to afford to rent on their own

SpareRoom.co.uk surveyed couples currently renting rooms in shared accommodation to learn more about their attitudes to their living arrangements. Just like individuals trapped in the private rental sector and unable to buy, eight out of ten UK couples living in flat and houseshares say they cannot afford to get onto the property ladder or rent on their own, as deposit funds are eroded by the high cost of living and banks are still cautious about lending at high Loan To Values.

44% of couples who have no choice but to live in flat or houseshares say the predicament is affecting their aspirations to settle down and start a family. Another 36% said that, although they had no immediate plans to start a family, they believe their living situation could affect their future plans.

14% of couples who would like to buy cannot see their way out of the rental sector, saying they will never be able to afford to get onto the property ladder. While 45% of couples polled are aspiring to quit their house shares and rent on their own within the next two years, another 13% say they cannot even afford to move out of flatshares in the foreseeable future.

Due to the soaring costs of living only 21% of couples currently living in flatshares are actually saving up to buy a property and 12% say they are saving up to buy a property in the next five years.

We see this on a regular basis here at Gordon Barker, from 2 bedroom flats that used to be just for a couple we are seeing a movement towards them using their 2nd bedroom to move a friend in and help cover the cost of the bills. Hopefully a new shift in the price of energy bills will help everyone in the rented and non rented world moving forward.

Are you in a flat share? Or have you lived in a flat share with a partner? How did it affect you?

– See more at: https://gordonbarker.com/blog/