News and Inspiration

Flat sharing, or co-living, has become increasingly popular among people of all ages in recent years. While it is often associated with young people, there are many advantages to flat sharing for those aged 40 and over. Everyone has different expectations and needs, so here we explore the common advantages and disadvantages of flat sharing…

Research by legal company Shakespeare Martineau, has found that the majority of people believe that rightsizing to a home that better suits their needs is either unaffordable or reserved for ‘when I get older’. The research, compiled from over 1,000 survey respondents and 20 in-depth interviews, showed that people aged 65+ were most likely to…

When renting a room in a house share, or indeed buying a place to live, we bring with us both a conscious and unconscious set of requirements. But how about taking healthy living as a principle? We all know how our mood and general sense of well-being are affected by where we live. What do…

Apart from the fundamental house share exchange of needs, where one person needs a home and another has space in their property, there are so many housemate combinations that can make sense. You just have to find the right match. Here are some sharing combinations ot think about – update the sharing preferences on your…

Tiny rooms do not seem suited to house sharing, which balances two elements: privacy and community. So it was with horror that I read about micro apartments in Tokyo, which offers only one element – privacy. I can appreciate the joy of having your own private space, close to the city centre, having enjoyed several…

Over the last few weeks I’ve felt slightly daunted by the prospect of high energy bills. So, as the nights draw in, I found myself preparing an evening meal for one (again); a cheese sandwich – the leftovers having run out. My kids joke that this is all I eat. Not true, I love to…

Do we really have to talk about sharing bills? Well, yes, we do! With energy bills increasing, many home-owners and flatmates are worried about how to pay additional costs. The large majority of flat share and house sharing agreements are inclusive of bills, so there is a real possibility of tensions growing between live-in landlords…

The BBC’s Malcolm Boyden interviews Nick Henley about the reasons for increased numbers of people in their 40s and 50s living in house shares. With the recent focus on the cost of living ‘crisis’, media attention has turned to ways to save money, but many people have shared for many years, and some even prefer…

When Hilary and Lois decided to move into ‘Cohaus’ in Auckland, they were attracted by the prospect of living with multiple generations. It seemed a much healthier option than just mixing with people their age. As Lois puts it: “We are all colleagues. I have grandchildren here, but I am not thought of as someone’s…

That’s usually one of the two reactions Judith gets when she tells people her story. Having lived in England for most of her life, she decided it was time to move abroad six years ago. A twist of fate made her settle on the beautiful island of Sicily. But life never stands still – and…