4 in 10 house sharers are now 30 or over as cost-of-living pressures reshape renting
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New research reveals growing numbers of midlife renters turning to HMOs as rising housing costs make living alone harder
26 October 2026, Warrington, UK: House sharing is no longer just for students. New research from shared living platform COHO has revealed that more than four in ten (40.6%) people living in HMOs are now aged 30 or over, as rising rents and wider affordability pressures push more midlifers towards co-living.
The findings, based on responses from more than 5,000 UK house sharers in a State of Shared Living Report 2026, found a significant rise in older tenants choosing shared accommodation. Over the last year the proportion of people aged 30+ increased from 32.4% to 40%, while the number of aged 45 and over rose from 7.1% to 9.3% over the same period.
The shift comes against a backdrop of continuing pressure on household finances. According to the latest Office of National Statistics data average UK private rents increased 3.8% year-on-year to £1,406 per month, while average UK house prices rose to £273,000.
COHO's research suggests affordability is becoming one of the biggest drivers behind the growth of shared living while for many it is a lifestyle choice. Nearly half (48.8%) of sharers say they moved into their current home to be able to afford to live in their chosen area, with 67.4% saying house sharing helps them save money. Alongside this, more than half (55.4%) say shared living is a choice rather than a financial necessity.
Vann Vogstad, founder and CEO of COHO, said: “The profile of today's house sharer also challenges many long-held stereotypes of HMO renters. Our research found that among those aged 30 and over, 89% are in paid employment, while across the wider sector 63% work full-time, just under 90% are % part-time and around 4% are self-employed. Sharers are also split almost evenly by gender.
"This suggests that, for many people, earnings are no longer keeping pace with the rising cost-of-living, making shared housing an increasingly practical choice, even for those in stable employment."
The trend varies across the country. Oxford and London have some of the highest proportions of over-30 sharers, with roughly half of residents surveyed falling into this age group, while renters in cities such as Liverpool and Bristol remain younger.
Starting again through shared living
For Alejandra Reyes Salinas, aged 52, a Business Support Officer for an Ombudsman Office, living in an HMO provided a way back to stability following the breakdown of a long-term relationship.
After spending time sofa surfing between family and friends, she struggled to find a private rental she could afford alone until finding a professional house share in Warrington via COHO.
Salinas said: "After my relationship ended, I found myself in a position where living alone simply wasn't affordable. Shared living gave me stability when I needed it most. I have my own private space, but I also have people around me if I want company.
“It's nice that we're all different ages and professions, from hospital staff to care workers. As the eldest, I tend to take on a bit of a 'mum' role, but most importantly, we respect each other's routines, lifestyles and need for space. The all-inclusive rent also makes budgeting much easier, allowing me to save money while rebuilding my life.”
For Lena Petersson who is in her 60s, moving into shared living in her 40s from Northern Ireland to Falmouth meant finding companionship. Working in IT and now living with four other professionals of similar ages meant she could afford to move to a coastal town while benefiting from friendship and support.
“Everyone in my household is over 40 with two in their 60s, and we come from different backgrounds and careers. What we have in common is that we value having our own space while also benefiting from a sense of community.
"Shared living gives me the freedom to enjoy where I live, without the isolation or expense that can come with renting alone. Whether it's sharing a coffee in the kitchen, helping someone with a parcel or simply having people around to chat to, it makes a huge difference."
COHO’s findings suggest attitudes towards house sharing are also changing. Three-quarters (75.4%) of current sharers say they are comfortable telling people they live in a shared home, while nearly two-thirds (64.2%) would recommend house sharing to others. More than four in ten (41.1%) have no plans to move, highlighting how shared living is becoming a longer-term housing choice for many renters.
Salinas continued: "People often assume house shares are only for students or young professionals starting out, but that's not the reality. I've recommended shared living to friends in their 30s and 40s who are going through major life changes. We get on well with our neighbours, and it can be a practical way to get back on your feet without the financial pressure of doing it by yourself."
Vogstad added: "The idea that shared living is only for students is increasingly out of date. Rising rents, higher housing costs and the challenge of saving for a deposit mean more working professionals are turning to house sharing later in life. It provides an affordable alternative to living alone, while also offering social benefits and a sense of community; no longer viewed as a temporary stopgap for many.”
Ends
Editors notes
COHO is a UK-based shared living marketplace platform founded in 2019 by Vann Vogstad, CEO, designed to make co-living simpler, smarter, and more connected. It is the only shared living platform to offer a compatibility-based tenant matching facility, bringing tenants together with common interests.
Trusted by landlords, property managers, tenants, and prospective tenants, COHO is the leading platform to find the best house shares and to help run these homes more efficiently. It was founded to address the growing complexity of managing shared living properties, particularly Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Drawing on close collaboration with landlords, property managers, and industry partners, COHO has developed an all-in-one digital platform that replaces fragmented systems and spreadsheets with a single, connected workflow. Today, the platform is used by over 6,000 HMOs and supports more than 55,000 tenants, making it one of the UK’s leading systems for managing, marketing, and maintaining shared living properties.
COHO’s platform is built around the specific needs of shared living. It simplifies the most time-consuming aspects of property management, including tenant onboarding, rent collection, compliance, maintenance, and communication. Designed to improve efficiency for property managers while enhancing the tenant experience, COHO helps create more stable, better managed shared homes.
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