01-07-2025
The working-class city that has become Britain's flat share capital
Bradford is the most in-demand city for house shares, new figures show.
One in four available house shares in the city were snapped up by tenants in the three months to June, according to research by COHO, a managing platform for houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).
The report found that demand for house shares in the Northern city vastly outstripped the market in London, where just 12.9pc of HMOs were let within three months.
Other popular areas for HMOs included Brighton and Newcastle, where one in 20 house shares were typically let within three months.
By contrast, Edinburgh attracted the lowest house share interest from tenants, with just 2.9pc of properties finding an occupant, COHO said. Demand in Birmingham and Leeds was also low, at 2.9pc and 5.8pc respectively.
HMOs – house shares of three or more households – are the single most profitable type of rental stock a landlord can own, according to the National Residential Landlords Association.
The trade body found that the average yield on an HMO was 6pc, compared to 5.2pc for flats.
However, landlords risk being tripped up by complex licence schemes, which can lead to hefty fines or costly rent repayment orders.
A rising number of private landlords are also required to have a licence regardless of how many tenants live in their property, and the cost varies between local authorities.
In March, it emerged that councils had raked in more than £300m in fees from such schemes. Cash-strapped councils can charge landlords up to £1,000 a year for a licence, whether or not the property is let to multiple households.
In some areas, landlords must separately acquire planning permission to convert an existing home into an HMO, driving up costs further.
Vann Vogstad, of COHO, said house shares continue to provide tenants isolated by the ongoing work from home culture with 'affordable homes and community'.
He added: 'In 2025, the cost of living and the price of rent are extraordinarily high, particularly in major cities.
'Our cities remain the focal point of opportunity and promise in Britain, and if you're trying to build a successful career or find your path in life, it's almost essential that you make one of them your home.
'For singletons or couples arriving in a new city to pursue their dreams or ambitions, a one-bed flat is often unaffordable, so shared houses act as a vital lifeline, providing a level of affordability that not only enables you to survive, but also provides the financial freedom to enjoy life.'
