"Sixteen years later, I’m not dissatisfied": The Emergence of Multi-Generational Roommates in the UK
When Nicola Whyte relocated to a four-bedroom shared house in Balham 16 years ago, she never envisioned that at the age of 45, she would still be residing there. However, soaring rental prices and the ongoing struggle to save for a home deposit have led her to remain a housemate far longer than she initially anticipated.
"I certainly didn’t expect to be here 16 years down the line, but honestly, I’m quite content," she remarked. "My friends sometimes find it a bit odd; they question how I can still manage it. But I genuinely enjoy it. The rent is incredibly affordable, it’s conveniently close to my workplace, and I believe it grants you a richer insight into human relationships."
Recent statistics from SpareRoom, the UK’s premier platform for flat and house sharing, indicate a notable transformation in the demographics of the market. There has been a decline in roommates under the age of 35, while those aged over 35 are increasingly on the rise.
A survey conducted with over 3,500 flatmates revealed that individuals under 25 now constitute merely 26% of the market, dropping from 32% ten years ago, while the segment of renters aged 45 and above has risen to 16%, up from 10% in 2015.
The increase in older housemates has also contributed to a spike in multi-generational households—nearly 40% of flatmates reported living in homes where the age gap between the oldest and youngest adult exceeds 20 years.
Nicola currently shares her home with a flatmate who is just 28, which makes him 17 years her junior. Throughout her time living here, she has resided with individuals aged from 21 to their late 40s. Despite the age differences, most housemates generally get along well, although substantial age gaps can occasionally lead to misunderstandings regarding housemate etiquette.
An older, more independent roommate may find collaborative decision-making challenging, whereas younger tenants might tend to keep late hours or host parties.
"There have definitely been some individuals who didn’t mesh well," explained Whyte, who is employed by the local council. "Yet, it’s less about age and more about their character."
Experts suggest that this shift in housemate demographics is driven by a combination of fewer young adults leaving their parental homes and older renters being unable to afford home ownership or solo renting. "People often view flatsharing as a youthful endeavor, but the growth of the older demographic is significantly outpacing others," stated Matt Hutchinson, the director of SpareRoom.
"Many older individuals are sharing for extended periods, and there’s a common misconception that people prefer to live with those similar to them. In reality, some actually enjoy the company of people from different age groups and backgrounds."
Another significant reason behind the increasing popularity of age-diverse house shares is that individuals over 65 are now more frequently opening their homes to lodgers, a trend that has surged by 38% over the last two years, according to SpareRoom.
When Thea May, 29, moved to south-west Wales for a job opportunity, she discovered a complete lack of available rentals—everything was either prohibitively priced or in disrepair. In a moment of desperation, her mother posted in a local Facebook group, which led to 67-year-old Paul Williams responding. After his daughter left for university, he had an empty room and was seeking companionship.
"At first, I did wonder: he’s much older than me; is this a crazy idea? But it turned out to be perfectly fine; we hit it off immediately," May recounted. "It brings both of us a sense of purpose, friendship, and companionship.
"I rarely notice the age difference. It often manifests in unexpected ways; for instance, if I mention I’d rather crochet than watch TV, he’ll jokingly ask if I’m really 29. We just navigate through life together.
"I consider myself fortunate, and this experience has been quite impactful. While I aspire to purchase a home someday, living near Paul has become a significant consideration for me now."
Williams, who sought additional income and believed sharing his space was the right thing to do, never imagined that their friendship would develop so profoundly.
"I thought she would stay mostly upstairs and we wouldn’t interact much," he said. "To my surprise, we’ve formed a great bond. My friends often express skepticism about living with a stranger, but she’s no stranger anymore; we’ve become friends."
Nick Henley, the co-founder of Cohabitas, a house-sharing platform tailored for individuals over 40, noted that 18% of the last 5,000 users expressed openness to living in an intergenerational home.
On their platform, this can range from traditional house shares to arrangements like a "helpful housemate" model, where people move in with older individuals to assist with chores or simply provide companionship.
"It’s likely that a majority of people will need to share housing in the future; it’s simply the direction we’re heading," Henley commented. "We require developers to start constructing shared living spaces, but currently, they seem focused on building small units for young individuals."
Housing charities have raised alarms about rising homelessness among those over 60 (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/03/growing-numbers-over-60s-homelessness-charities-warn), noting that single older adults are increasingly prone to house sharing if they do not own property as they approach retirement.
SpareRoom reported that the segment of flatsharers aged 65 and above has tripled over the past decade, although they still only represent 2.4% of the market.
"I’m baffled by why this isn’t a more prominent issue; we have a generation of individuals unable to afford their own homes," Hutchinson remarked. "It’s a looming crisis that’s just waiting to erupt."
