An increasing number of couples say that increasing property prices are forcing them into houseshares, with no aspirations to get out.
According to flatshare website SpareRoom.co.uk, 44 per cent of couples who have no choice but to live in flat or houseshares say the predicament is affecting their aspirations to settle down and start a family.
Another 36 per cent said that, although they had no immediate plans to start a family, they believe their living situation could affect their future plans.
Similar to individuals “trapped” in the private rental sector and unable to buy, 80 per cent of couples living in flat and houseshares say they cannot afford to get onto the property ladder or rent on their own, as deposit funds are eroded by the high cost of living and banks are still cautious about lending at high LTVs.
The results also reveal that 14 per cent of couples who would like to buy cannot see their way out of the rental sector, saying they will never be able to afford to get onto the property ladder.
While 45 per cent of couples polled are aspiring to quit their house shares and rent on their own within the next two years, another 13 per cent say they cannot even afford to move out of flatshares in the forseeable future.
Due to the soaring costs of living, only 21 per cent of couples currently living in flatshares are actually saving up to buy a property and 12 per cent of those polled say they are saving up to buy a property in the next five years, while 9 per cent say they are saving, but will not be able to afford to get on the property ladder for at least five years.
Spareroom director Matt Hutchinson said: “It is an unfortunate predicament that many couples living in flat and houseshares can’t even afford to rent on their own, let alone buy a home together.
“Living in a flat or houseshare as couple and splitting the rent means you’ll pay half as much, but there are drawbacks. Single flatsharers might not be comfortable living with a couple, not just from a social point of view, but because an extra person using the household appliances, sharing the fridge and cupboard space, fighting over the remote control, might not be an appealing living arrangement to everyone.
“This means that couples may encounter some reluctance from potential flatmates when they hunt for shared accommodation, which the majority of couples we surveyed cited as their biggest challenge.
“The problems these couples face highlight how difficult the current economic situation is for first time buyers. If a couple who already split rent and bills between them can’t save for a deposit, what chance does everyone else have?”
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