Research highlights risks and transparency issues in shared housing

New research from the UK and Australia identifies significant safety and financial risks for tenants living in shared accommodations.

A study by the shared living platform COHO involving over 5,000 UK tenants found that 42% of renters receive little to no information about their future housemates before moving in. This lack of transparency has safety implications, with 21% of tenants reporting they have felt unsafe due to a housemate. Additionally, 60% of respondents expressed a desire for more information regarding their co-tenants, and 53% want more influence over who moves into their shared home.

In Australia, research led by Swinburne University highlights regulatory gaps in Victoria regarding sharehouse tenancies. The study found that current regulations fail to adequately protect tenants from financial and housing instability when housemates unexpectedly vacate or fail to meet rent obligations. Researchers suggest that existing frameworks may leave entire households liable for arrears and eviction, noting that adapted regulations, such as those in the ACT, could serve as a more effective model for managing shared tenancies.