"Sixteen years later, I'm still content": The Emergence of Multigenerational Flatmates in Britain
When Nicola Whyte made the decision to move into a four-bedroom shared house in Balham 16 years ago, she could hardly have foreseen that she would still call it home at the age of 45. However, with rental prices skyrocketing and the daunting challenge of saving for a home deposit still looming, her situation has led her to share a living space much longer than she had originally planned.
"I never imagined I’d still be here after all these years, but I can’t say I’m unhappy," she reflected. "My friends sometimes think it's a bit peculiar; they often ask how I manage to do this. But honestly, I genuinely enjoy it. The rent is quite affordable, it’s conveniently located near my workplace, and I believe it enriches my understanding of different personalities."
Recent data provided by SpareRoom, the leading platform for flat and house shares in the UK, reveals a noteworthy transformation in the dynamics of the rental market over the past few years. Specifically, there has been a decline in younger roommates under the age of 35, while the number of individuals aged 35 and older has seen a significant increase.
A survey conducted by SpareRoom involving over 3,500 flatmates indicates that renters aged under 25 now constitute only 26% of the market, a drop from 32% a decade ago. In contrast, individuals aged 45 and above represent 16%, rising from just 10% in 2015.
This growing trend of older flatmates has also contributed to an increase in multigenerational households; nearly 40% of those surveyed reported living in homes where the age gap between the oldest and youngest adult was 20 years or more.
Currently, Whyte's youngest flatmate is 28, which makes her 17 years older than him. Throughout her time as a housemate, she has shared her home with individuals ranging from their early 20s to those in their late 40s. While most of them get along well, the notable age differences occasionally lead to misunderstandings regarding house-sharing norms.
For instance, older and more independent housemates may find collaborative decision-making challenging, whereas younger residents might be more inclined to keep late hours or throw parties.
“There have certainly been a few people who didn’t quite fit in,” admitted Whyte, who works for the local council. “However, I believe it’s less about their age and more about their character.”
Experts attribute this shift to a combination of factors: fewer individuals under 25 are leaving their family homes, while older renters are increasingly finding themselves unable to afford solo living arrangements or homeownership. "People often perceive flat sharing as primarily for young adults, but the demographic of older individuals is growing rapidly," noted Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom.
"Older adults are opting to share living spaces for longer periods, and there exists a common misconception that people prefer to live alongside those similar to them in age. In reality, many individuals appreciate the diversity that comes from living with people of various ages and backgrounds."
Another contributing factor to the rise of intergenerational flat shares is the trend of individuals over 65 inviting lodgers into their homes, a practice that has surged by 38% in the past two years according to SpareRoom.
When Thea May, 29, relocated to southwest Wales for a new job, she faced a dire rental market—everything available was either prohibitively expensive or in disrepair. In a moment of desperation, her mother posted a plea on a local Facebook group, which led to a response from 67-year-old Paul Williams. After his daughter left for university, he found himself with an empty room and sought companionship.
"Initially, I thought: he’s much older than I am, is this really a good idea?" May recalled. "But it turned out to be a great match; we clicked immediately. Our arrangement provides mutual support, friendship, and companionship.
"The age difference rarely comes into play. It mostly surprises us when our interests differ; for example, if I opt to crochet instead of watching TV, he might tease me, asking if I’m really 29. We simply coexist harmoniously.
"I consider myself fortunate, and this experience has been quite enriching. Although I aspire to buy a house someday, my relationship with Paul significantly influences my current living preference."
Williams, who initially sought extra income and believed sharing his space was a commendable choice, never anticipated the depth of friendship that would develop with May.
"I thought we would just coexist, perhaps never interacting much," he reflected. "But the bond we’ve formed has exceeded my expectations. My friends might question why I would want to live with someone I don’t know well, but she’s not a stranger to me anymore; we’ve developed a true friendship."
Nick Henley, co-founder of Cohabitas—a house-sharing platform targeted towards individuals over 40—reported that 18% of the last 5,000 registrants expressed an interest in living in an intergenerational household.
On their website, this can take various forms, such as traditional house shares or arrangements that involve moving in with an older person to assist with chores or simply provide companionship.
"I believe that a majority of people will need to consider house sharing in the future; this is the direction we’re heading," Henley stated. "Developers should start constructing shared housing options, but this has yet to materialize. Instead, they are focusing on building small units intended for young renters."
Housing organizations have raised alarms about the increasing rates of homelessness among those over 60. As single older individuals approach retirement without owning a home, they are becoming more likely to seek out shared living situations.
SpareRoom has reported that the percentage of flatmates aged 65 and older has tripled within the last decade, although they currently represent just 2.4% of the overall market.
"I find it perplexing that this issue isn’t more widely discussed; we have a generation struggling to afford their own homes," Hutchinson remarked. "It’s a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment."
