"At a time when renters are feeling the squeeze on every side, the ability to live well for half the cost of going it alone is not just compelling, it’s transformative"
- Vann Vogstad - COHO
New research from COHO shows that the average bills-included room in a shared house costs about 50% less than renting a one-bedroom flat. This difference challenges common beliefs about value in the current rental market.
COHO’s review of live shared living listings across England estimates the average rent for a bills-excluded room at £690 per month. For a bills-included room, the average rent increases slightly to £742 per month, so tenants pay just £50 more to have essential bills covered.
The savings become clearer when compared to living alone. The average one-bedroom flat rents for £1,141 per month in England. Adding essential bills, which COHO breaks down as council tax at £190, energy at £105, and water at £37, brings the total monthly cost to around £1,473.
This means renting a bills-included room in a shared house costs nearly 50% less each month than a one-bedroom flat with bills.
Bills included rooms are common and widespread
The data also highlights that bills-included rooms are now standard in shared housing.
Across England, 64% of shared house listings include bills. Certain regions show even higher proportions:
The North West leads with 76% of listings including bills
The East of England follows at 70%
The South East offers bills included in 69% of shared listings
This contrasts sharply with the wider rental market, where only 15% of listings include bills. In London, that drops to just 8.5%.
“This research really underscores something we’ve long known at COHO, that bills-included shared living isn’t just convenient, it’s incredibly good value," comments Vann Vogstad, founder and CEO of COHO. "At a time when renters are feeling the squeeze on every side, the ability to live well for half the cost of going it alone is not just compelling, it’s transformative."
He added, “What’s more, that affordability comes bundled with so many of the things people are increasingly seeking: flexibility, simplicity and, perhaps most importantly, community. When you live in a shared home, you’re not just saving money on bills, you’re gaining access to real human connection. The chance to share a coffee in the kitchen, to split a takeaway, to laugh at something on TV with someone else, these are moments of togetherness that are hard to put a price on.
“In many ways, shared living isn’t a compromise, it’s a smarter, more sustainable way of living that offers financial headroom and emotional resilience. We believe that when it’s done right, shared living can help people not just get by, but genuinely thrive.”
