Housing that helps

Shared living is on the increase in Australia and this is why.

Affordability

Every weekend media sites are ablaze with articles about the exponential growth of the Australian property market. Major cities are popular places to live and as house prices increase so do rent prices.

Recent data from Core Logic RP Data reveals just how rapid the growth in the property market has been. In the last financial year, the value of Sydney houses increased by 16.2%. The median dwelling price now sits at $772, 200. The past three years have seen Sydney houses increase 43.1% in value. Prices in Melbourne tell a similar story, with house increasing 10.2% over the past year. The average value of an Australia house has risen 9.8% in the last financial year making it difficult for individuals to buy or rent.

Affordability is a major reason people are turning to shared-living. To have proximity to city and good amenities people must band together to pay the rent. This is especially for students and people starting their careers.

Yet affordability is not the only reason people are flocking to share houses.

Sustainability

At the last census Australia had 7, 760, 322 residential dwellings. Yet not all these dwellings are fully occupied. It is estimated that there are nine million rooms going empty in Australia. Considering Australia only has a population just over 23 million, this statistic is baffling. Not only is shared living a great way to turn the empty space into cash, but it is an easy answer to the lack of housing for our growing population.

Flatmates.com.au has a vast and diverse range of users, including those who own their houses and are renting out an extra room to members. This is a win/win situation for both parties. The owners make some extra cash while the renters get an affordable room with great amenities.

Filling rooms that would otherwise go empty is a great method to increase housing sustainability. Resources are more efficiently used between numerous people. Imagine the energy you save heating a house in winter when three people live in it versus a single inhabitant.

It is not only environmentally sustainable, but its also financial sustainable. Bills are spilt between individuals and you can live in your favourite area without it costing too much.

Sociability

Many flatmates become great friends while living together. Whether you start share housing by yourself or in a group you are guaranteed to meet a range of interesting people. Sharing a house always means you have someone to hang out with, cook dinner or watch the latest episode of your favourite TV show. Even once you move out you will have close friends to reminisce on all the great share-house memories. You will end up with lifelong friends that share the great bond of knowing each other too well after living together.

Moving cities for work - what better way to meet people than move in with a group? Get a local to show you around, tell you where the best coffee is and how to get around. Share housing is also great for exploring new suburbs in a city you already know.

When it comes down to it, why live alone? Living with people is eventful and entertaining making your home environment an exciting place to come home to everyday.