New research from HMO management platform COHO reveals that bills-included house shares offer tenants a near 50% saving compared to renting a one-bedroom flat, as demand grows for affordable, flexible rental options across England.
COHO’s analysis of live shared living listings found the average rent for a room in a shared house without bills included stands at £690 per month.
For bills-included listings, that figure rises modestly to £742 – just £52 more to cover essentials such as energy, council tax, and water.
However, the real value becomes clear when compared with the cost of living alone. The average one-bed flat in England currently rents for £1,141 per month. When combined with estimated monthly bills of £332 (Council Tax £190; Energy £105; Water £37), solo tenants face an average outlay of £1,473. By comparison, those in bills-included shared homes pay 49.6% less each month.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE
Vann Vogstad, Chief Executive and Founder of COHO, says: “Our research shows what many agents and landlords working in the HMO space already know: that well-managed, bills-included shared housing is not just convenient – it’s exceptional value.
“At a time when renters are facing intense financial pressure, being able to offer an all-in, affordable solution is a huge selling point.”
And he adds: “It also meets the rising demand for more connected, community-led living. People want simplicity, flexibility and often a sense of shared experience. House shares – when done right – offer all of that, and the data proves it’s increasingly popular.”
NEW NORMAL
According to COHO, bills-included listings are now the norm in the shared living sector. Across England, 64% of shared houses offer all-inclusive rents, rising to 76% in the North West, 70% in the East of England, and 69% in the South East. In contrast, just 15% of general rental listings include bills, with London lagging at only 8.5%.
For estate agents, the findings suggest strong opportunities in the HMO sector – particularly where landlords can offer well-priced, all-inclusive accommodation in areas with high rental demand and limited one-bed supply.
