More people prefer to share houses in Brimbank than in most municipal areas of Australia.
This was revealed by a report produced by a leading property company, Rent.com.au which released a national list of 20 suburbs, where sharing of homes is more prevalent.
Four Brimbank suburbs, Sunshine West, Caroline Springs, Branybrook and Sydenham appeared on the list. Werribee also made it to the list.
Rent.com.au also said renters cut their weekly rent by up to 50% by choosing to share a house instead of renting an entire apartment.
The report also said renters enjoy more affordable housing option by splitting the rent and utilities with housemates.
“We’ve seen house sharing go through several cycles over the last couple of years. It saw a substantial drop during COVID as people began working from home and prioritised having their own space. But in 2023, we’ve seen a real lift in the number of people sharing houses, driven largely by record low property availability and the resulting rental increases that come with low vacancy rates,” Rent.com.au CEO Greg Bader,
Sharing a house is also a cost-effective way to help ease the national rental crisis. Filling vacant rooms reduces the demand for new housing construction, which can potentially lower housing costs in high-demand, low-vacancy areas. Plus, sharing a house gives you a chance to connect with your housemates, fostering a sense of community and support that’s especially valuable for newcomers to an area.
“The savings on rent and utilities are self-evident, but there are other soft advantages too. If you’re new to an area, living with housemates can be a great way to expand your social circle and discover hidden gems in your community,” said Mr Bader.
He however said renters opting to share houses must be prepared to compromise.
“However, it’s important to approach sharing with the right mindset and be prepared to compromise. Splitting rooms, parking, and chores can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you could save money on rent and make lasting friendships. Remember, sharing isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth considering for those looking to cut costs and build connections,” said Bader.
Director of Community Engagement, Tenants Victoria Farah Farouque said the trend was due to intense pressure in the rental market which is making solo living harder than ever for people on low and middle incomes.
Ms Farougue said recent census confirmed that young Australians were staying longer in the family home adding share houses arrangements which were initially broken by Covid 19 lockdown were manifesting again.
“Now, anecdotally, we appear to be seeing more people steadily returning to share houses because of economic necessity. Research shows people living in share houses tend to be younger, working casual jobs and this group includes international students,” she said.
