Flatsharing rents reach record high

The average flatsharing rental asking price rose from £368 to £375 in May, a 2% rise in rents so far this year on the back of an increase in April.

Jonathan Moore, director of Easyroommate.co.uk which released the figures after analysing data from 30,000 of its users, said: “Rents tend to remain consistent at the beginning of the year, as tenants do not tend to relocate during this period. However the summer months are typically when we experience an increase in the number of users registering and this more often than not results in an increase in rental asking prices as demand outstrips supply and landlords look for a way to cash in.”

He added that the overall rise in the UK flatsharing rental prices can be partly attributed to the significant increase in the number of students entering the rental market, with significant increases in rental prices recorded in a number of university towns and cities such as York, Cambridge, Glasgow and London which saw a rise of £43.

The north-south divide is again apparent in the figures. Rents in the north average £345 per month, £35 less than the current UK average and significantly cheaper than in the south of England where they are £425. This is a trend that has remained consistent with 2011 figures .

“The increase in rental asking prices clearly demonstrates that flatsharing is continuing to be an attractive option,” said Moore. “Despite the increases, flatsharing is still the cheapest and most cost effective option within the private rental sector.”

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• Priced_out_student

  I disagree that flat sharing is an attractive option for many. I would say that for many people I know, it’s not an ideal situation, as for some it’s the result of losing one’s job and being forced to claim housing benefit, which if you’re under 35 is the rate of a single room. Plus, more and more young people are being priced out of the private rental and property market, and this type of accommodation seems the only affordable option.

• mattwardman

  This is of course what happens when local councils (eg Nottingham, Milton Keynes) try to drive shared student houses out of the student market and force students into halls of residence costing £110-£120 per week.

  Quel surprise.

  Look up Article 4 directives.