The Surprising Trend of Multigenerational Housing: A New Normal in Britain?
Imagine this: you're in your mid-40s, and you've been sharing a home with roommates for over a decade. It's a scenario that might raise some eyebrows, but for Nicola Whyte, it's her reality, and she's not alone. Sixteen years after moving into a four-bedroom house share, Nicola reflects on her unexpected long-term living situation, stating, 'I'm not unhappy.'
But why are more and more people like Nicola choosing to live with roommates well into their 40s and beyond? The answer lies in the soaring rents and the struggle to save for a house deposit. It's a financial reality that's reshaping the housing market and challenging societal norms.
SpareRoom, the go-to website for UK flat and house shares, has witnessed a striking transformation. Their data reveals a decline in roommates under 35 and a surprising surge in those aged over 35. A survey of 3,500 flatmates paints a clear picture: under-25s now comprise just 26% of the market, down from 32% a decade ago, while renters aged 45 and above have increased to 16%, up from 10% in 2015.
This shift has led to a rise in multigenerational households, with nearly two-fifths of flatmates residing in homes with age gaps of 20 years or more. Nicola, for instance, has a 17-year age difference with her youngest flatmate, and she's lived with people from their early 20s to late 40s. While most get along well, age gaps can sometimes cause friction when housemates have differing ideas of etiquette.
Here's where it gets controversial: an older, independent housemate might prefer making decisions on their own, while younger tenants may be more inclined to keep late hours or host parties. But as Nicola points out, it's less about age and more about individual personalities.
Experts attribute this change to a combination of factors. Fewer under-25s are leaving home, and older renters, priced out of homeownership and solo renting, are turning to flat sharing. Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom, highlights the surprising growth: 'People think of flat sharing as a young person's game, but the older cohort is expanding the fastest.'
And this is the part most people miss: older individuals are not just sharing for financial reasons. Some prefer living with people of different ages and backgrounds, challenging the notion that housemates should be similar in age and interests.
Another significant factor is the increasing number of over-65s sharing their homes with lodgers, which has risen by 38% in the past two years, according to SpareRoom. Thea May, 29, experienced this firsthand when she moved to southwest Wales for a new job. With limited rental options, her mother's Facebook post led her to 67-year-old Paul Williams, who was seeking company after his daughter left for university.
Thea's experience defies age-related expectations: 'I don't think I ever really notice the age gap. It's more about how it challenges expectations. If I want to crochet instead of watching TV, he'll joke about my age. We just get along.' Thea's story highlights the profound impact of multigenerational living, which has made her reconsider her housing preferences.
Paul, who initially sought extra income and a sense of moral duty by sharing his space, never anticipated the deep friendship that developed. He reflects, 'I thought we'd live separate lives, but we've become close friends.'
Cohabitas, a house-sharing site for over-40s, reveals that 18% of recent registrants are open to intergenerational living. This includes traditional house shares and 'helpful housemate' setups, where individuals assist older people with chores or companionship.
Nick Henley, Cohabitas co-founder, predicts a future where house sharing is the norm: 'The majority of people will have to house share. We need developers to build shared housing, but they're focusing on small, single dwellings for young people.'
Housing charities warn of rising homelessness among over-60s, and single older individuals are increasingly likely to end up in house shares if they don't own property as they retire. SpareRoom reports that while flatsharers aged 65 and above have tripled in the past decade, they still account for only 2.4% of the market.
Matt Hutchinson emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue: 'It's surprising that the inability of a generation to afford homes isn't a bigger topic. It's a ticking time bomb.'
So, is multigenerational living the new normal? Are age gaps in households something to embrace or a recipe for potential conflict? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's explore this evolving trend together.
