Sat, 01 Nov 2025

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 Homes without lounges now a reality for renters

Nearly a third of homes advertised on a property sharing website had no living room.

* Nearly a third of homes advertised on SpareRoom had no living room
* Renters on tight budgets are being forced to live in homes without lounges as a result of rising rents and lack of available lets
* 10 prospective tenants are competing for every available rental property, according to Rightmove data
* Landlords say converting a lounge into a bedroom helps them cover higher mortgage repayments and meet demand from tenants
* However, this can lead to social isolation and renters being forced to go out to socialise, which can be more expensive than staying in with friends
* The "false economy" of having to pay for going out instead of using communal space at home is becoming a reality for many young professionals and students
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