Bills-included house shares save renters nearly 50%

Tenants in such shared accommodation are paying 49.6% less per month than those renting a one-bedroom flat independently, research reveals.

The findings from HMO management platform COHO, show that the average rent for a room in a shared house, excluding bills, stands at £690 monthly.

A bills-included room costs £742, a modest £50 increase that covers all essential utilities.

Meanwhile, renting a one-bedroom flat averages £1,141 per month, with additional household expenses, such as council tax (£190), energy (£105) and water (£37), bringing the total to £1,473.

Bills-included is good value

The firm’s founder and chief executive, Vann Vogstad, said: “Bills-included shared living isn’t just convenient, it’s incredibly good value.

“At a time when renters are feeling the squeeze on every side, the ability to live well for half the cost of going it alone is not just compelling, it’s transformative.

“What’s more, that affordability comes bundled with so many of the things people are increasingly seeking: flexibility, simplicity and, perhaps most importantly, community.”

He added: “When you live in a shared home, you’re not just saving money on bills, you’re gaining access to real human connection.

“In many ways, shared living isn’t a compromise, it’s a smarter, more sustainable way of living that offers financial headroom and emotional resilience.”

Bills-included listings

The research also reveals that the prevalence of bills-included rentals is popular with 64% of shared house listings in England offering this arrangement.

The regional variations are significant with the North West boasting of 76% of listings with bills included.

It’s followed by the East of England at 70%, and the South East at 69%.

Only 15% of listings in the broader rental market include bills, with London’s figure dropping to a mere 8.5%.