Share housing is a rite of passage for many. Here’s how to navigate the common hurdles
Brody Thiele is a social person who’s “never really wanted to live alone”.
The 31-year-old social media producer says share housing also has the obvious benefit of cheaper rent.
“Solo living in Sydney? I don’t know how people could do that.”
Brody Thiele has moved into share houses with a mix of friends and strangers. (Supplied: Brody Thiele)
It’s long been a rite of passage for young Australians looking to fly the nest, but amid worsening rental affordability, share houses look to be further in demand.
According to CoreLogic’s more recent rental review, rents have increased by 36.1 per cent in Australia since the start of COVID-19.
This has caused some to delay leaving their family home, while others “have looked to form larger share households as a way of distributing the additional rental burden”.
A 2024 report by the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council found that it’s more affordable for younger households to rent than to buy, due to rising housing prices and interest rates.
While share housing can be more affordable, living with others can also introduce other challenges.
What to know about joining a lease agreement
Damien Patterson is the director of policy advocacy and engagement at Tenants Victoria, which gives free advice to people who rent homes in the state.
Damien Patterson says rent increases can force people to break up with their share house. (Supplied: Damien Patterson)
“Share houses can be really fun, but they can also be pretty high on conflict,” he says.
“It’s really important to treat each other fairly to communicate often, and to offer grace where it’s appropriate.”
He says rent increases are a big issue impacting renters across the board.
An increase can leave “someone being unable to pay the rent and perhaps needing to move out”, which can “destabilise” a share house.
Room vacancies in share houses are often filled by a friend or advertised on social media and other websites.
Mr Patterson says, “as a general rule, it’s good to be on the lease.”
“Renters who aren’t on the lease feel less able to talk to their landlord about upholding their rights.”
But, it’s important to understand that when you sign onto a lease in an existing share house you might be responsible for damage that occurred before you arrived.
“One good tip is to check the condition report on the property before you sign on. That way you’ll understand what condition you’ll be asked to return the property in when you leave.”
The importance of housemates
Mr Patterson says moving in with someone who you already know is reliable is a “good step”.
He says, “good communicators often make good housemates.”
“You need to be able to start tough conversations, anything from dishes to damage, and you’ll really need to trust that they can do the same.”
Mr Patterson also recommends considering whether your lifestyle is compatible with other potential housemates. For example, if a housemate likes to party at home when you need to sleep, you’re probably not a good match.
Penny Bradley says she was a “late bloomer” moving out of her parents’ house and into a share house for the first time at 24.
Now 32, the primary school teacher has navigated her way through four or five share houses in Naarm/Melbourne.
Penny says it’s not just cost-effective, “I really enjoy the sense of community that I worry I wouldn’t get through living on my own”.
When she first moved out, she couldn’t always afford to be as picky with share houses and housemates as she could be when she reached a better financial position.
Brody Thiele says his housemates in Melbourne’s Carlton North were good at distracting themselves during COVID-19 lockdowns. (Supplied: Brody Thiele)
Penny’s learnt “the importance of finding like-minded people”.
There’s no need for “big sit-down conversations about house dynamics or cleaning because everyone’s just willing to create a harmonious environment”.
In her current share house, “everyone really values each other” and helps each other out with tasks such as airport pick-ups.
Brody was 18 when he moved out of home and into an established share house in Bacchus Marsh, the regional Victorian town where he grew up.
He’s since lived in share houses across five suburbs in Naarm/Melbourne, and he’s now living on Gadigal land in Sydney’s inner west.
Brody has had positive experiences moving in with friends, as well as strangers.
“Some of my lifelong friends and people I would call my sisters were complete strangers before I lived in a house with them.”
Brody says it can feel “like a bit of a trust system” when you’re taking over someone’s room and place on the lease.
Brody Thiele says he enjoys the community that comes with share house living. (Supplied: Brody Thiele)
It can be important to “sense check” that person to try and ensure you’re not inheriting any major problems, he says.
Brody says he’s learnt to appreciate empathy and understanding in fellow housemates the most.
“When you live in a shared house, you kind of need to accept the fact that you share the house.”
He says someone who’s happy to wash the plate you left in the sink because you were running late is invaluable — and it’s vital you return the favour.
