Research Reveals the Issues Facing Gen Z and Millenials Renting/Cohabiting

With home ownership currently out of reach for millions of young Brits, a new report reveals as many as 64 percent of Brits under the age of 35 have no option but to rent and cohabit, and this comes with problems, one being that many don’t like their housemates.

Yet sadly, just four in ten (40 percent) are currently living with their perfect housemate – while the remaining 60 percent confess they are not keen on the person or people they share a house with.

According to the survey, unlike booze-loving characters Gary and Tony from the 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly, “Gen Sensible” believes the perfect housemate is good with money (31 percent), cleans up after themselves (44 percent), and respects your boundaries (46 percent).

The research reveals that top of the list of desirable qualities are always paying rent on time (50 percent), and being fair with the bills (46 percent).

The perfect roommate also cooks nice dinners (18 percent), shares their Netflix account (17 percent), has good movie taste (16 percent), and doesn’t pilfer your leftovers (20 percent) or, worse, come home from the pub with random people (21 percent).

Overall, 97 percent agree that being mindful of energy use is an important trait in a housemate, with not leaving the hot tap running (25 percent) and turning off the TV when not watching it (25 percent) making the list.

Unsurprisingly, people who leave empty milk cartons in the fridge (26 percent) and hog the bathroom (26 percent) are definite no-nos, as are flatmates who leave pots and pans “to soak” (22 percent).

A confident eight in ten (85 percent) believe they are themselves, the ideal roomie.

As well as wanting their housemates to be conscious of their energy use, the research from Smart Energy GB found that 95 percent of young renters also want to live in an energy efficient property.

Victoria Bacon, Smart Energy GB, said, “It’s clear that being energy efficient and living sustainably are really important housemate qualities for young people. A great way for your household to be as energy efficient as possible is to get a smart meter, as it comes with an in-home display that shows you at a glance how much energy you’re using and what it’s costing you.

“Requesting a smart meter from your energy supplier is easy to do and comes at no extra cost. If you rent and the energy bill is in your name, you can ask your energy supplier to fit a smart meter. If your landlord pays the bills, ask them if they would be happy to arrange the upgrade.”

When it comes to finding the perfect rental property, the cost of rent (66 percent), the size of rooms (50 percent), the number of bedrooms (41 percent), being close to the shops (38 percent), the surrounding area (37 percent) and having bills included (34 percent) are all important factors.

The Perfect Housemate, According to Gen Sensible (Gen Z and Millennials)

• Pays rent on time – 50%
• Respects your boundaries – 46%
• Fair with bills – 46%
• Always cleans up after themselves – 44%
• Takes the bins out – 38%
• Always knocks before entering the room – 36%
• Does their share of chores without complaining – 36%
• Shares the costs of cleaning supplies – 34%
• Has a great sense of humour – 32%
• Wipes down surfaces after using – 32%
• Doesn’t make a lot of noise – 32%
• Is good with money – 31%
• Always turns lights off when leaving a room – 30%
• Doesn’t slam doors or cupboards – 27%
• Doesn’t put empty milk cartons back in the fridge – 26%
• Doesn’t hog the bathroom – 26%
• Is energy efficient – 26%
• Doesn’t leave the hot tap running – 25%
• Always turn off the TV when they’re done watching it – 25%
• Turns off plugs on appliances when not in use – 24%
• Recycles – 24%
• Never leaves pots and pans ‘to soak’ – 22%
• Always on hand for a chat when you need them – 22%
• Doesn’t come home late from the pub with randoms – 21%
• Has good music taste – 21%
• Puts the toilet seat down – 20%
• Doesn’t eat your leftovers – 20%
• Sticks to their shelf in the fridge/freezer – 19%
• Cooks’ dinner – 18%
• Let’s you share their Netflix account – 17%
• Doesn’t moan about your TV choices – 17%
• Has good movie taste – 16%
• Doesn’t secretly turn the heating up – 16%
• Asks permission to post pics of you on social media – 15%
• Bulk buys loo roll and cleaning supplies – 14%

This research, which involved 2,001 18- —to 35-year-old renters across Britain, was commissioned by Smart Energy GB and conducted by Perspectus Global in July 2024.