The Difference Between Co-Living For Students And HMOs

Now that it is time to move close to your university, you have to look for student accommodations but are on a budget! The best option would be to share your room with a roommate to make it more cost-effective! Co-living for students is a pretty normal thing for those who study abroad, but so is living in an HMO! If you don't know what an HMO is or what is co-living for students, we will tell you everything about them and their differences!

What is co-living for students?

Co-living for students is simply a term used when you, as a student, live with a roommate in an accommodation. Co-living spaces are made for students to live in groups where each student gets their personal room but has to share other amenities of the accommodation! These accommodations are managed by various PMGs or companies that take care of them, and co-living has one of the biggest perks: you don't have to worry about various bills as your rent covers the entire thing!

What is an HMO?

HMO is nothing but a House in Multiple Occupation! It is where a group of people who are not from the same house, basically are not a family, rent out a house and live together in it and share the kitchen, bathroom, etc., a.k.a shared housing! HMOs have their own house rules that you need to be careful of, and unlike co-living, you will have to pay rent and various other bills! 

What is the difference between co-living for students and HMOs?

Now that the terms co-living and HMOs are clear, you can start to see the minor differences present between them, but in actuality, there are various differences present between the two! But the devil lies in the details! We need to take a deeper look into HMOs and co-living to find out the exact details!

Co-living for students

We have mentioned the bare bones of co-living, but here is almost everything you need to know about it!

1. Flexible stay

Your stay period at an accommodation when co-living is pretty flexible! You are offered both short-stay and long-stay leases. However, you are not asked to sign an agreement, unlike when renting an apartment! This gives you the freedom to stay for however long you want without getting the feeling that you are stuck here!

2. A community

When living abroad for studies, you tend to get homesick and lonely! But this is where co-living comes into play; you meet new people around who are also in the same place as you since they have also recently moved to a new country! This creates a community as you meet like-minded people, and you help you make new friends!

3. Various amenities

Co-living means living in student accommodation that various companies manage! These student accommodations come packed with various amenities in your room and throughout the accommodation to make your stay as comfortable as possible! This is the selling point of many accommodations, as no one would want to live in one with nothing to offer!

HMOs or shared living

As you know, HMOs are basically shared living with your friends in an apartment; let's move on to the minor intricacies of shared living!

1. Choosing who to live with

While living in a shared housing, you usually will be living with your friends as you will be renting out an apartment with them! This is one of the major points of living in an HMO, as you get to choose who you want to live with, unlike living in a student accommodation! You get the freedom to live with your friends and decorate the entire flat in your group's themes and colours without having to worry! 

2. Familiarity

As you will be living in a shared living with your friends, there is a sense of familiarity between everyone! Shared living can be thought of as more cosier and more comfortable than co-living for students as you know the people living in the same house, plus you also have control of your own space!   

3. Cost-Effective

One of the biggest advantages of shared living is that it can be affordable and cost-effective! This is because you split the rent and the utility bills with your roommates/friends! You also split various other bills that are related to the house, like groceries, etc. 

What is the difference?

The details are finally covered, and now it's time to nail the coffin of differences shut! Here are the differences between common shared living and co-living!

1. Your own space

Living in a student accommodation and in shared living gets you your own room and space. But, you get the option to have your own personal room and kitchen and bathroom when living at a student accommodation, which you won't be able to get while living with your friends! This makes co-living spaces bigger than your HMO! 

2. Features

Co-living provides you with a wide range of amenities that are included in your rent! You will find so many things in your student accommodation that are covered by your rent, but in shared living, your rent also covers the house! 

3. Location

Co-living means living in a student accommodation that is located in a prime location of the city with various things to do around the accommodation, while shared living or flats can be located in various parts of the city, including the outskirts! 

4. Who lives there

Shared living is usually between students who have been in the city for a while and have studied together, while student accommodation are used by new students that have just come from another country!

5. Community

While co-living, you get to meet new people and socialise to make friends and create a community of your own, while in shared living, your community is the people that make you feel safe and secure, and they are the closest to you since you live with them! 

In conclusion, understanding the differences between co-living and HMO accommodations is essential for making the right choice based on your lifestyle, budget, and social preferences. Co-living offers a modern, community-driven environment with shared amenities, while HMOs provide cost-effective housing with a focus on shared facilities among multiple tenants. If you’re looking for the perfect student or shared living space, amber is your go-to platform—offering a wide range of safe, affordable, and well-equipped accommodations. With the right knowledge and options at your fingertips, you can confidently decide whether co-living or an HMO best suits your needs and enjoy a comfortable, convenient, and fulfilling living experience.

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