More than 100,000 flat sharers in the UK

A phenomenon once seen before in the last economic crisis is back, increasing renters are biting the bullet and choosing to flat or house share to save money on rent and utility bills.

Kevin Cox of Bristol letting agents Igloolets.com said. “It is something I have seen before, in the last economic downturn, it makes cost effective sense to share. However, what we are seeing this time is more couples are choosing to share, than just four individuals. If two couples rent a whole house cheaper than their existing flats they can often have increased space and often better facilities. Without cramping each other’s style. If they choose a large enough house with two reception rooms they can both have their own independent lounges which gives them some space from each other respectively.

Recent research has estimated that by 2013 house sharers will reach over 3 million.

Emphasis by letting agents on this basis should be towards good quality houses with two reception rooms. Instead of one bedroomed flats.

Speaking to myintroducer.com, Jonathan Moore who’s company carried out the research said: "Larger flatshares are becoming more and more commonplace as the cost of living rises, and having four or five flatmates is not just limited to time spent in student digs.

"Many flatsharers are looking to trade off less space around the house for cheaper deals and lower monthly utility bills, while an increasing number of couples are living together with flatmates to avoid higher rents in the wider market."

The Guardian report that this rise in demand for shared houses has led to four individuals competing for every room available.