New research among 2,000 UK home renters has found that as many as 34% have ended up renting with a housemate who turned out to be a “nightmare.” A quarter of those surveyed have been forced to leave the property before their tenancy agreement ended, or considered moving out, because of their housemate.
Renting in the UK
According to the Office for National Statistics, roughly 5.4 million houses across the UK are now private rentals, with the number having grown over the last decade. And it’s not just students and twenty-somethings; more than a quarter of Brits in older age are renting or have recently rented.
Confronting Bad Behaviour
When it comes to confronting unacceptable housemate behaviour, 48% have spoken to a housemate face to face, while 17% prefer to discuss issues in a group chat or text. Yet almost a third (31%) of confrontations among today’s renters have resulted in receiving the silent treatment, while 26% had a shouting match and 23% were left with a passive aggressive note.
Red Flags and Ideal Housemates
The research reveals some of the worst “red flags” for renters, including eating food that isn’t theirs (56%), leaving the bathroom in a state (53%), and ignoring an overflowing bin (51%). Renters also hate ending up living with a “party animal” (52%), especially when they party and play music into the small hours of the morning.
On the flip side, the bare minimum UK renters look for in an ideal flatmate includes always cleaning up after themselves (76%), always paying their share of the bills on time (52%), never slamming doors late at night (49%), and not blaring loud music (46%).
Other essential traits for a dream housemate include never leaving dirty pots and pans in the sink (39%), wet towels on the bathroom floor (33%), clothes in the washing machine for days on end (32%), or digging into other people’s food when drunk (26%). Respondents also said housemates should never put an empty milk carton back in the fridge (26%) and always put the toilet seat down (23%) if they want to remain popular.
The perfect housemate respects and knows the balance between being friendly and respecting the privacy of others (44%) and understands that small gestures go a long way (40%).
Benefits of Renting
On the benefits, 38% find that renting broadens your social circle, with 32% admitting that a house share has boosted their mental health. Over half (51%) have made a friend for life by meeting them through a successful house share.
Today’s renters also insist that while price (80%) is the most important element of finding a suitable home to rent, they rate who the housemates are (30%) and the number of people they live with (30%) as crucial, even over how long the contract is (25%), the size of the living area (26%), and how far away their current friends are (13%).
Expert Comment
Paul Foy, CEO of RentGuarantor, which commissioned the research, said: “Sharing a home with others can be one of the most rewarding parts of renting, but it relies on mutual respect and communication. Our research shows that renters value reliability, cleanliness and small everyday gestures that show consideration for the people they live with.”
He added: “In the UK, renting has often been considered second best; we’re a country of aspiring homeowners. But our research is showing a real difference in how renting is perceived. 41% said their attitude toward renting was more positive than it used to be, and 88% said renting fits modern lifestyles better than it used to. Rather than being seen as a fallback, renting is for many a positive lifestyle choice.”
The Ideal Housemate, According to the Nation’s Renters
- Always cleans up after themselves: 76%
- Pays their share of the bills on time: 52%
- Doesn’t slam doors late: 49%
- Doesn’t play loud music: 46%
- Doesn’t borrow your things without asking permission: 42%
- Does their fair share of cleaning: 42%
- Takes the bins out without being asked to: 41%
- Knocks before entering your room: 40%
- Doesn’t leave pots and pans in the sink: 39%
- Won’t leave wet towels on the bathroom floor: 33%
- Won’t leave their clothes in the washing machine for days: 32%
- Replaces the toilet roll, unprompted: 31%
- Won’t bring strangers back from the pub for an unexpected “party”: 30%
- Gives adequate notice before inviting people round: 28%
- Doesn’t come home and eat your food when drunk: 26%
- Never puts an empty milk carton back in the fridge: 26%
- Puts the toilet seat down: 23%
- Keeps the noise down after 10 PM: 22%
- Doesn’t bring people back for one night stands: 20%
- Will make you a tea or coffee in the morning: 20%
- Doesn’t take up too much fridge space: 20%
- Won’t hog the TV remote: 19%
