Access to outdoor space has become more than just a “nice to have”. For renters in shared homes, a usable garden can offer fresh air, social space, and a welcome break from technology. But new analysis of England’s shared housing market shows that for many housemates, outdoor space remains surprisingly hard to come by.
A postcode lottery for outdoor space
Across England, just 48.9% of available rooms in shared houses are in properties with a usable garden. In several regions, that figure drops sharply. The North East has the lowest proportion, with only 22.3% of listings offering garden access. The North West (30.3%), East Midlands (36.7%), and Yorkshire & Humber (44.4%) also fall well below the national average.
Elsewhere, however, shared renters are far more likely to benefit from outdoor space. The East of England leads the way, with 67% of current house-share listings including a usable garden. The South West (65.4%), South East (63.7%), and West Midlands (53.2%) also perform strongly. Even in London — often assumed to be short on outdoor space — more than half (51.9%) of shared listings include garden access.
The data highlights a clear regional divide, where a key quality-of-life feature depends heavily on location rather than tenant need.
What else do renters look for in a Shared Home?
Garden access isn’t the only factor shaping how people choose a shared home. Practical considerations like parking, pet policies, and inclusive costs also play a significant role in decision making, yet availability remains limited in several areas.
Fewer than half (46.5%) of shared listings across England include private parking. Even in the most car-friendly region, the South West, just 56.8% of listings offer a dedicated space, suggesting that car-owning housemates often need to compromise.
For pet owners, options are even more restricted. Only 2.5% of shared rental listings nationwide are advertised as pet friendly. London ranks highest on this measure, but even there, just 4.3% of listings allow tenants to live with a cat or dog — underlining how difficult shared renting remains for people with pets.
By contrast, one area where shared housing performs more strongly is cost clarity. Two-thirds (66.6%) of shared listings include bills within the rent, rising to 77.2% in the North West and remaining above 62% in every region. For many tenants, this provides much-needed certainty at a time of rising household costs.
Why standards matter in shared housing
Given that around 88% of homes in England have access to a garden, the sharp drop-off within the shared housing sector raises important questions about standards and expectations. As shared living becomes a long-term choice for many, tenants are increasingly looking for homes that support wellbeing, its not just about affordability.
Encouragingly, there are signs that this shift is already underway. Rising competition, improving management practices, and the growth of modern co-living models are beginning to push standards higher, placing greater emphasis on the overall housemate experience rather than simply maximising occupancy.
As shared living continues to evolve, access to outdoor space, practical amenities, and thoughtful design are likely to become defining features of high-quality shared homes no longer optional extras.
Access to outdoor space has become more than just a “nice to have”. For renters in shared homes, a usable garden can offer fresh air, social space, and a welcome break from technology. But new analysis of England’s shared housing market shows that for many housemates, outdoor space remains surprisingly hard to come by.
A postcode lottery for outdoor space
Across England, just 48.9% of available rooms in shared houses are in properties with a usable garden. In several regions, that figure drops sharply. The North East has the lowest proportion, with only 22.3% of listings offering garden access. The North West (30.3%), East Midlands (36.7%), and Yorkshire & Humber (44.4%) also fall well below the national average.
Elsewhere, however, shared renters are far more likely to benefit from outdoor space. The East of England leads the way, with 67% of current house-share listings including a usable garden. The South West (65.4%), South East (63.7%), and West Midlands (53.2%) also perform strongly. Even in London — often assumed to be short on outdoor space — more than half (51.9%) of shared listings include garden access.
The data highlights a clear regional divide, where a key quality-of-life feature depends heavily on location rather than tenant need.
What else do renters look for in a Shared Home?
Garden access isn’t the only factor shaping how people choose a shared home. Practical considerations like parking, pet policies, and inclusive costs also play a significant role in decision making, yet availability remains limited in several areas.
Fewer than half (46.5%) of shared listings across England include private parking. Even in the most car-friendly region, the South West, just 56.8% of listings offer a dedicated space, suggesting that car-owning housemates often need to compromise.
For pet owners, options are even more restricted. Only 2.5% of shared rental listings nationwide are advertised as pet friendly. London ranks highest on this measure, but even there, just 4.3% of listings allow tenants to live with a cat or dog — underlining how difficult shared renting remains for people with pets.
By contrast, one area where shared housing performs more strongly is cost clarity. Two-thirds (66.6%) of shared listings include bills within the rent, rising to 77.2% in the North West and remaining above 62% in every region. For many tenants, this provides much-needed certainty at a time of rising household costs.
Why standards matter in shared housing
Given that around 88% of homes in England have access to a garden, the sharp drop-off within the shared housing sector raises important questions about standards and expectations. As shared living becomes a long-term choice for many, tenants are increasingly looking for homes that support wellbeing, its not just about affordability.
Encouragingly, there are signs that this shift is already underway. Rising competition, improving management practices, and the growth of modern co-living models are beginning to push standards higher, placing greater emphasis on the overall housemate experience rather than simply maximising occupancy.
As shared living continues to evolve, access to outdoor space, practical amenities, and thoughtful design are likely to become defining features of high-quality shared homes no longer optional extras.
