Summary
More rental homes in the UK, especially in London, are being advertised without living rooms. This change is mostly because landlords turn living areas into extra bedrooms to help cover increased costs. The move affects renters, who often end up socializing in kitchens or spending more by going out.
Key Facts
- About 30% of ads for shared flats on SpareRoom showed no living room in the first half of the year.
- In London, 41% of these rental ads lacked a living room.
- Birmingham saw a rise in ads without a living room from 16% in 2020 to 22%.
- UK average private rents increased by 5.5% to £1,354 per month by September.
- There's an average of 10 tenants competing for each available rental property.
- Renters often use the kitchen as a social space instead of a living room.
- Landlords convert lounges into bedrooms to manage higher mortgages and costs.
