Can I rent a room in a shared house by myself?

Sophia Crothall·5 December 2024·4 min read
Can I rent a room in a shared house by myself?

Renting a room in a shared house can be an affordable and social student accommodation option. Often, you rent out the individual room meaning you can skip the stressful stage of finding flatmates and deciding who to live with. Here's a quick rundown of things to consider when renting a room in a shared house.

Joint vs individual tenancies

There are two main types of tenancies that you’ll find in a shared house: joint and individual tenancies.

A joint tenancy is one single tenancy agreement that each person in the property signs. You all share the property and its facilities and don’t have exclusive possession of any part, even though in practice you might agree to live in a particular bedroom and pay individual contributions towards the rent.

An individual tenancy means each person in the property has their own tenancy agreement because they each have exclusive possession of one specific room while sharing other facilities such as the kitchen. In shared houses where you rent only one room, this is the most common agreement.

Financial advantages and disadvantages

Renting a single room (especially with a sole tenancy) in a shared house may be a more expensive option. Certain amenities, such as en-suite bathrooms, will raise the price of your weekly rent. You might also be responsible for covering utilities and other expenses on your own. However, it is still likely to be less expensive that living in a halls of residence.

If you do decide to rent a room in a shared house by yourself, it's important to carefully read through your tenancy agreement. You can learn more about what to look out for before you sign a tenancy agreement by checking out what do I need to look out for when signing a tenancy?

It's also important to research and view any potential properties before you sign a tenancy agreement. Look for properties that are in a good location, with easy access to your university. You should also check to make sure the condition of the property meets your needs, in terms of size and facilities. You can read more about what to look for on what do I need to look for when viewing a property?

How to find a room in a shared house.

We would recommend either looking on our website for properties with one bedroom available, or using our partner website, Student Housemates, to find other students who are advertising a spare room.