Everything’s more expensive at the moment. From food price hikes to our energy bills, many of us are spending more on the essentials than ever before. Plus, the rate of inflation is growing at the fastest rate in 40 years and we’re on the brink of a recession.
With all of this in mind, it stands to reason that rents and mortgages are going up too. For renters living alone, the economic events of the last year may have led to a rethink about moving into a house share.
If this sounds familiar and you’re weighing up the pros and cons of leaving solo living behind, read on. We’ve covered some of the advantages of moving in with others.
Share the Load
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that the bills are shared. Where once you might have had to shoulder the burden of the utilities, you can divide things up equally among your housemates.
Similarly, if you’re spending a small fortune on meals for one, this can work out cheaper if you all pitch in and buy food together – especially the essentials like bread and milk.
Someone to Socialize With
As well as sharing the cost of food, you might decide to take turns and cook for each other. Doing things like enjoying a meal together, watching a TV show, or simply having someone to talk to is something that isn’t as easy to do when you live alone.
While living with others isn’t necessarily always easy – especially if you don’t see eye-to-eye on whose turn it is to do the dishes – simply having someone else in the same property can be good for your well-being.
A Sense of Security
Living alone can make you feel vulnerable. And realistically, you are vulnerable to burglars and other security issues.
When you move in with someone else, there’s a sense of safety in numbers. Living in a house share means that it’s likely someone will always be in. This is the case even more now that we’re all working from home a lot more.
Sometimes, things do go wrong, and this happens whether you’re renting as part of a house share or you’re on your own. For instance, there might be a flood or a fire, and you might decide that you need to secure your belongings with tenants’ insurance. However, again, if events like these happen, being on the property with someone else can mean that you have someone who’s not only a witness when the landlord asks questions, but you’re more likely to have someone who can help you – this isn’t the case if you live alone.
Save the Planet
As well as sharing the energy bills, you’re also sharing the carbon footprint by living with others. On your own, you’re accounting for all the energy consumption, but between you, you all use the same TV in the living room and electrical outlets in the kitchen, for example.
Ultimately, it’s up to you. Living with others doesn’t work for everyone, but there are plenty of plus points to consider if you’re contemplating becoming a housemate.