Britons believe sharing a home becomes “embarrassing” by the age of 29, despite one in ten adults continuing to live with others due to affordability pressures, new research from Nationwide shows.
The study found that 69% of people say living alone is unaffordable, bringing the average age of those living in shared accommodation to 35.
About 11% of adults said they are currently living with parents, friends or strangers, while others are creating so-called “rally households” to cut costs — including moving back home or even living with an ex. One in ten respondents said such arrangements had helped them save money.
However, almost half (46%) said shared or multi-generational arrangements had a negative impact on their relationships, while 15% reported stress and anxiety and 14% said they felt “stuck”.
The findings show that the financial pressures of recent years are reshaping living arrangements, with at least 27 million people saying they have felt embarrassed about their housing situation.
Younger generations appear to be particularly affected, with 22% of Gen Z respondents saying comparisons on social media make their situation difficult, while 19% of Millennials feel uncomfortable discussing where they live at work.
Megan Eighteen, president of ARLA Propertymark, believes this trend reflects pressures for affordability rather than a lifestyle choice.
“While the findings highlight that many renters begin to feel that they have ‘outgrown’ the ability to share a home by their late twenties, this is less about social preference and more a reflection of ongoing affordability challenges within the housing market,” she said.
“For a growing number of people, particularly in high-demand areas, living in shared housing is not a choice but a necessity. High rent levels, rising living costs and barriers to home ownership mean many tenants are staying in home shares for longer than they would like.”
Eighteen said: “What we are seeing across the sector is a clear shift in the demographics of shared living. This is no longer restricted to students or those in their early twenties – professionals in their late twenties, thirties and beyond are now a significant part of this market.
“This change is also influencing expectations. Tenants are increasingly looking for well-managed, good quality shared homes that offer a balance of affordability, privacy and convenience.
“Ultimately, this trend underlines the need for a diverse and well-supplied private rented sector that can meet a range of needs. Until there is improved affordability and increased housing supply, shared living will remain an important part of the housing landscape for many people.”