With summer in full swing, new figures from HMO management platform COHO suggest that tenants living in shared accommodation might struggle to enjoy the sunshine – particularly if they’re hoping for a usable garden.
The firm’s latest analysis of live house-share listings shows that just 48.9% of HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) across England currently offer garden access.
In some regions, the figure is dramatically lower: only 22.3% of HMOs in the North East have a usable garden, followed by the North West (30.3%), East Midlands (36.7%) and Yorkshire & Humber (44.4%).
By contrast, tenants in the East of England stand the best chance of securing outdoor space, with 67% of current listings featuring a usable garden. The South West (65.4%), South East (63.7%) and West Midlands (53.2%) also fare relatively well, while even London, despite its density, sees 51.9% of HMOs offering access to a garden.
RISING TENANT EXPECTATIONS
COHO’s findings come as tenant expectations rise, particularly in the co-living sector, where the quality of shared accommodation has come under increasing scrutiny.
COHO Founder and Chief Executive Vann Vogstad says: “Given that 88% of homes in England have a garden, it seems unfair that the proportion of garden-equipped HMOs falls as low as 22% in some areas. It’s not about horticulture – it’s about having a patch of space for fresh air or to hang out washing. Housemates deserve better.”
Garden access isn’t the only issue. Just 46.5% of listings across England come with private parking, falling short of tenant needs in car-dependent areas. Even in the South West, the most car-friendly region, only 56.8% of listings provide parking.
PET OWNERS MISSING OUT
And just 2.5% of HMO listings across England are listed as pet-friendly. Surprisingly, London is the most welcoming city for pets, with 4.3% of listings allowing them.
The vast majority of HMOs (66.6%) are listed as ‘bills included’, with the North West leading at 77.2%. No region falls below 62% on this front, suggesting landlords are meeting demand for simplicity and budget certainty.
Vogstad adds: “I’m optimistic. The standard of HMOs is rising, driven by tenant expectations and a new era of shared living that puts quality of life front and centre.”
