Seniors flock to share houses as cost of living bites

Queensland’s share houses are no longer just for students: three in five residents say they’ve been forced there by the cost-of-living crisis, with many aged 55-64.

Flatmates’ 2025 National Share Accommodation Survey, covering 4,500 respondents, reveals that Queenslanders’ reliance on share housing has grown dramatically – and now includes not just students and young professionals, but also retirees and seniors struggling to cope.

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The survey also found that 70 per cent of respondents nationwide believe the Australian dream of owning a home is now unattainable for young people.

Flatmates has seen a 60 per cent surge in the number of people seeking share house accommodation since January 2021.

More than half (55.1 per cent) of those who listed a spare room on Flatmates said they did so because of financial burdens associated with home ownership, including rates and utility prices.

In Queensland, 48.9 per cent of respondents said they were turning to the shared housing market because they “could not afford” the costs of owning their own property.

These statistics highlight the real pressures Queenslanders face just to keep a roof over their heads, with rising concern over the situation for seniors and retirees.

Flat sharing saw the largest demographic increase among Queenslanders aged 55-64, which jumped from 12.3 per cent in 2024 to 16.4 per cent in 2025.

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The data displays that the “common perception” of shared housing being for students has flipped, with 79 per cent of respondents saying they were “not currently studying at all” – up from 71 per cent the previous year.

A massive 69.2 per cent of Queensland flatmates said share housing was a “practical solution” that helped them save money.

Beyond finances, shared housing also offers social and emotional benefits, with housemates forming close personal connections.

Roughly half of Australian respondents admit their shared accommodation feels like home, while relationships with housemates motivated 11 per cent to enter shared living.

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On average, respondents rated their relationships with flatmates 4.2 out of 5.

Despite the negative connotations of shared accommodation and the financial pressures that influence their situation, Australians living in share houses report satisfaction and increased financial security.

However, the ongoing cost-of-living and housing crises mean more Australians are expected to “turn to shared accommodation,” as the Australian dream continues to slip from the grasp of both younger and older generations.

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