What is a share house?
A share house is a style of living where multiple residents share one residence. Generally, there are private rooms, and many share facilities such as the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Share houses have benefits such as low rent and the ease of forming a community, making them a popular form of residence, especially among young people and foreigners in urban areas.
Share houses are not just places to live, but they provide an environment where residents can live and interact with each other. Unlike regular rental housing, many properties come equipped with furniture and appliances, which means that the initial costs of moving in can be kept low, making them an attractive option.
The styles of share houses are also diversifying, and there are community-style share houses that emphasize interaction between residents, one-room share houses that ensure more privacy, luxury share houses for business people, and concept share houses that specialize in hobbies or lifestyles.
The popularity of share houses and why
There are several reasons why share houses are becoming more and more popular:
1. Economic benefits
A major advantage of a share house is that the rent is cheaper than a regular rental property. Especially in urban areas, the rent for a one-room apartment tends to be expensive, but in a share house, you can have your own room while sharing the common areas, which can significantly reduce costs.
Another attractive feature is that many properties come with furniture and appliances, so there are no initial costs, making it less of a burden to move to a new place. Utility bills and internet fees are often included in the rent, which also has the advantage of making it easier to keep monthly expenses stable.
2. Ease of forming a community
A feature of share houses is that it is easy for residents to interact with each other and build new relationships. This is especially beneficial for people who move to a new environment due to a job transfer or going to school, as they have the opportunity to make friends naturally and are less likely to feel lonely.
Additionally, there are share houses based on a certain concept, such as "for international exchange," "for creators," or "for sports enthusiasts," so you can live together with people who share similar hobbies and values, making for an exciting daily life.
3. Convenience of life
In a typical rental property, you will need to purchase furniture and appliances, but in a share house, these are often already installed, so you can start living there immediately after moving in. The extensive facilities of a share house are a major advantage, especially for people planning a short-term stay or those who have no experience living alone.
Additionally, many properties offer services such as cleaning and management, making them popular with busy working people as they allow them to live comfortably and hassle-free.
4. Flexible contract structure
In general rental housing, a deposit, key money, and a guarantor are often required, but in share houses, these conditions are often relaxed, and the hurdles to signing a contract are also low. In addition, there are many properties that allow short-term contracts, so it is also suitable for people who want to live for a short period of one to several months.
5. Realizing a new lifestyle
In recent years, new lifestyles such as "minimalism and not owning possessions" and "multiple bases living" have been gaining attention. Share houses are highly compatible with these lifestyles, making them ideal housing for people who want to live a simple life without unnecessary possessions or who want to have multiple bases.
Characteristics of people who are not suited to living in a share house
While share houses have advantages such as economic benefits and the ease of forming a community, they are not suitable for everyone. In particular, depending on an individual's lifestyle and values, living in a share house may cause stress. Here we will explain in detail the characteristics of people who are not suitable for a share house.
1. People who value privacy
Even if there are private rooms, you cannot have complete privacy.
Share houses often have private rooms, but the walls can be thin and noise can leak through gaps in the door. It can be difficult to secure time completely alone, and you may be bothered by the noise of your surroundings and daily life.
Additionally, privacy issues can arise in shared houses. It is important to know the specific countermeasures for issues such as "I'm worried about sound leaking from the room" and "It's difficult to maintain privacy in shared spaces." For more information, please refer to "What about privacy issues in shared houses? Countermeasures explained ."
Use of shared spaces is required
You will need to share common spaces such as the living room, kitchen, and bathroom with other residents. Morning shower times may overlap, and the kitchen may be crowded, so this is not suitable for people who want to live at their own pace. Also, since you cannot monopolize the shared spaces, the time and place you can spend freely will be limited.
Additionally, laundry rules are another point unique to shared houses. It is important to know in advance the points you need to be aware of, such as "the time to use the washing machine," "finding a place to dry," and "tips to avoid trouble with other residents." For specific rules and points to note regarding laundry, please refer to "What are the rules for laundry in a shared house? An explanation of points to be aware of," which explains them in detail.
2. People who want to live in a quiet environment
Residents have different lifestyles
Share houses are home to people with a variety of lifestyles, including students, working adults, and freelancers. As a result, some people are active from early in the morning, while others work or talk until late at night. Due to the different rhythms of life, it can be difficult to ensure a quiet environment, as there can be noises late at night or people who are active early in the morning waking you up.
Noise problems are likely to occur in shared spaces and hallways.
Since the living room and kitchen are shared, it can get noisy when someone cooks or invites friends over. Also, noises from the hallways and stairs, and doors opening and closing can easily echo, which can be a source of stress for people who want to live quietly.
3. People who are strict about rules and cleaning
It becomes stressful when rules and values do not match those of other people
Share houses often have house rules, but the interpretation of those rules and the degree to which they are followed varies from resident to resident. For people who want to "carefully separate their trash" or "avoid noise at all costs," it can be stressful when residents don't follow the rules.
You may feel dissatisfied with how often and how shared spaces are cleaned.
Even if cleaning duties are decided, cleaning standards may differ depending on the resident. Even if you want someone to clean properly, it is easy to become dissatisfied if someone cleans carelessly. Also, some share houses offer cleaning services, but not all spaces are kept clean at all times, so it is not suitable for people who are particular about cleanliness.
4. People who are bad at communication
Interaction between residents is a given
In a share house, residents have many opportunities to meet each other and are often required to exchange greetings and conversations. If you find it difficult to even minimally communicate, a share house is not for you.
Opportunities to participate in events and collaborations
Some share houses hold regular dinner parties and events to promote interaction between residents. In addition, residents may share tasks such as cleaning the shared spaces and managing the equipment, which can be stressful for people who are not good at actively participating in such activities.
5. People who are reluctant to live together with others
The stress of sharing kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
In a share house, you will share the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc. with other residents. This means that you may not be able to use them when you want, and you may be concerned about how clean they are after other residents have used them. This can be particularly stressful for people who feel that the kitchen or toilet is unsanitary.
I often worry about the distance between me and other residents.
In a share house, it is important to maintain a reasonable distance from other residents, but some people may be overly intrusive. For people who want to live at their own pace, having to be mindful of relationships with others may be a burden.
6. People who want to invite friends or loved ones over to their home frequently
Many share houses do not allow guests to stay overnight.
Many share houses prohibit overnight guests to prevent people other than residents from coming and going frequently. This rule can be particularly inconvenient for people who want to invite friends or loved ones over frequently.
For example, Cross House share houses prohibit anyone other than the residents and those affiliated with the management company from entering the property. This is to ensure the safety of the residents, and even family and friends cannot enter the property. However, in the case of furnished apartments, it is possible to invite family and friends to your room. However, care must be taken to avoid noise pollution. For more information, please see the official Cross House rules .
If you invite friends over too often, it can easily cause trouble.
If people the other residents don't know come and go frequently, it can easily lead to security issues and problems with the use of shared spaces. For this reason, a shared house is not a suitable living environment for people who want to invite friends over easily.
It is especially important to check in advance whether a share house allows guests or completely prohibits them. Be sure to check the rules carefully before signing a contract so you don't end up feeling like it's not what you expected after moving in.
7. People who choose a share house solely for cost
Cheap rent, but increased mental stress
One of the attractions of a share house is the relatively low rent, but if you just want to live in a cheap place, you may end up with a lower quality of life. If the residents' lifestyle, house rules, or property management are poor, you may not be able to live comfortably.
If you ignore the quality of your living environment and neighbors, you may end up regretting it.
Since people with a wide variety of values live in share houses, if you move in without checking in advance what kind of people live there, you may end up regretting it because it's not a good fit for you. It's important not to judge based on cost alone, but to see the place in advance and check if you get along with the other residents.
The benefits of living in a share house, even for people who aren't suited to it
Shared houses are a living environment that is often avoided by people who feel that they are not good at communal living or that living with others would be too stressful. However, by taking advantage of the benefits of shared houses, it is possible to overcome these feelings and gain new experiences. Even those who feel that shared houses are not for them may be able to reap the following benefits:
1. Improve your communication skills
Helps with interpersonal relationships at work and in daily life
In a share house, you will live with people from different backgrounds, so you will naturally have more opportunities to communicate. Even if you don't usually talk much to others, you can expect to improve your interpersonal skills by making greetings and small conversations a habit.
For example, for people who have trouble talking to people they meet for the first time or who have trouble communicating smoothly in a team at work, a shared house could be a practical training ground. Gradually getting used to interacting with people can have a positive effect on your interpersonal relationships in both business and private life.
More opportunities to meet people with different values
Share houses bring together people of all ages, occupations, nationalities, hobbies, etc. This increases the opportunities to interact with people who have different ways of thinking and values than you, allowing you to gain new perspectives.
For example, it is not uncommon to meet people from industries you have never been involved in before, such as freelancers, foreign residents, artists, and creators. This type of environment can be a chance to gain new ideas and inspiration, helping to broaden your horizons.
In addition, living in a shared house allows for intercultural exchange, meaning you will be exposed to English and other languages on a daily basis, which will also help improve your language skills.
2. Economic benefits
Rent and utility bills can be shared, reducing costs
One of the big attractions of a share house is that it keeps rent and living expenses down. Living alone typically requires many expenses, such as rent, utility bills, internet fees, and the cost of purchasing furniture and home appliances. However, in a share house, these expenses are shared with other residents, so it is ultimately possible to live more economically than living alone.
Especially in urban areas, rent for one-room and one-kitchen apartments is rising, so by living in a shared house you can reduce your fixed costs and use that money for savings, hobbies, and self-investment.
Many properties come equipped with furniture and appliances
In a normal rental property, you will need to purchase daily necessities such as a bed, refrigerator, washing machine, etc. when you move in. However, in many share houses, these furniture and appliances are provided, allowing you to significantly reduce the initial costs when moving in.
Another benefit is that dishes, cooking utensils, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, etc. are often shared, making it more cost-effective than living alone.
Furthermore, the procedures for moving in and out are often simple, and many properties do not require a deposit or key money, making it an economical option for those looking for a short-term stay.
3. You can check your suitability
You can try it out for a short period of time to see if it suits you.
There are many aspects of living in a share house that you won't know until you actually try it out. For that reason, if you're interested but have concerns, or feel uncomfortable living in a share house for a long period of time, we recommend trying it out for a short period of time.
Many share houses allow short-term contracts of one month or several months, giving you the flexibility to "try living there for a while, and if it doesn't suit you, look for another place to live." By actually experiencing life in a share house, it becomes easier to decide whether it's right for you.
It's a good opportunity to experience a different lifestyle.
Living in a share house allows you to experience a different lifestyle than living alone. For example, in a share house where there is a culture of sharing meals, you can enjoy life like a family by cooking and eating meals together with the other residents.
Furthermore, living together with others helps students acquire skills for living cooperatively with others, making this a good training opportunity for those who are thinking about sharing a room or living with a partner in the future.
Furthermore, interacting with people you would not normally meet in your everyday life can lead to new hobbies or job opportunities. For example, a share house can be a great place to start a business or start a new project, so it's especially suitable for people who like to take on new challenges.
Points to consider when choosing a property for those who are not suited to living in a share house
Many people are interested in share houses, but hesitate for reasons such as "worried about living with other people" or "concerns about privacy." However, depending on the property you choose, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a share house while living comfortably.
Even if you're not a fan of shared houses, it's important to keep the following points in mind when choosing a property where you can live with less stress.
1. Shared houses with private rooms
Have your own private space
In a shared house, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. are usually shared, but choosing a property with private rooms makes it easier to maintain privacy.
Having a private room allows you to have your own space and allows you to take a break even while living together. A fully private shared house is especially suitable for people who want to cherish their own time or need an environment where they can concentrate on work or study.
It is also important to check the size and facilities of the private room in advance. For example, whether there is enough desk, chair, and storage space, whether there is air conditioning and windows, etc. are important factors for living comfortably.
Check if the room is soundproofed
Compared to regular rental properties, rooms in share houses often have thinner walls, so noise from neighboring rooms can be a concern. It is important to check before moving in whether the room has adequate soundproofing.
Specifically, you should check the following points:
- Are the walls thick or soundproofed?
- Does the door have good sound insulation (wooden or thin doors tend to leak sound)
- Is the common space right next to your private room?
- Are you bothered by the noise of other residents? (If possible, check this during the viewing.)
A share house with good soundproofing allows you to relax and live comfortably without having to worry about surrounding noises, even at night.
2. A share house with strict rules
Check whether cleaning and living rules are clear
In a shared house, the comfort of living there depends on whether or not there are clear rules about things like taking out the trash, cleaning common spaces, and noise control.
In a share house where the rules are unclear, the following problems may occur:
- The shared spaces are always dirty
- Some residents are noisy until late at night
- Garbage is not properly disposed of
- Problems between residents are likely to occur
To avoid such troubles, it is important to check the shared house's rules and management system in advance.
For example, it would be a good idea to check the following points:
- Is there a cleaning rotation system or is cleaning provided by a management company?
- Are there rules for taking out the trash?
- Are there measures to deal with noise at night (such as setting quiet times)?
- Are there clear rules regarding whether pets are allowed or not, and whether smoking is allowed or not?
- Check the management system to avoid trouble between residents
When trouble occurs between residents, it is also important to know whether the management company or owner will respond appropriately. Depending on the share house, management may not be solid and troubles may be left unattended.
Important points to check in advance regarding the management system
- Is there a consultation desk where residents can discuss problems with each other?
- Is there a high turnover of residents? (Share houses with a lot of trouble tend to have people move out after a short period of time.)
- How does the management company deal with people who break the rules?
If the rules are clear and the shared house is well-managed, there will be less trouble between residents and you can live there with peace of mind.
3. Choose a share house with small groups
Smaller properties with around 5-10 people are less stressful
There are many types of share houses, from large ones (20 or more people) to small ones (5 to 10 people). While large share houses are lively and fun, they can also lead to complicated relationships and cause stress.
On the other hand, small share houses with around 5 to 10 people are recommended for people who are not good at socializing, as they allow residents to live together while maintaining a reasonable distance from one another. The advantage of this is that the relationships between residents do not become too deep, making it easy to maintain a reasonable distance.
The benefits of a small shared house
- Maintain a reasonable distance between residents
- Less congestion in shared spaces (less waiting to use the kitchen or shower room)
- It is easy to understand the lifestyle of residents
By choosing a share house with an appropriate number of people, you can build relationships comfortably while also having time for yourself, making for a less stressful life.
4. Choose a property that allows short-term occupancy
Try it out first and see if it suits you
If you're not sure whether a share house is right for you, it's best to choose a property that offers short-term contracts. Many share houses offer short-term contracts of one to several months, so you can try living there first and then move out if it doesn't suit you.
The benefits of short-term contracts
- Since you can move out immediately, you can reduce the risk of not being satisfied with the share house.
- You can actually live there and judge your compatibility with the residents and the environment.
- Once you get used to the lifestyle, you can switch to a long-term contract.
- The initial cost is kept low, so there is less risk of failure.
With regular rental properties, initial costs such as security deposits, key money, and brokerage fees tend to be high, but with shared houses, initial costs are often set lower, helping to reduce the financial burden.
By choosing a property that allows short-term occupancy, even people who are interested in shared houses but have some concerns can try it out without any worries.
summary
While share houses have their appealing economic benefits and the ability to foster a community, they are not suitable for everyone. In particular, for people who value privacy, want to live in a quiet environment, or feel stressed by communal living with others, the disadvantages may outweigh the benefits.
However, even if you feel that it is not for you, you may be able to live comfortably if you take some steps, such as choosing a shared house with private rooms, looking for a property with clear rules, choosing a property with a small number of people, or trying it out by staying for a short period of time.
Other benefits of living in a share house include the opportunity to improve your communication skills, interact with people with different values, reduce living costs, and discover new lifestyles. Even if you are nervous about living in a share house for the first time, you can achieve a more fulfilling life by carefully checking the property's conditions in advance and choosing an environment that suits you.
You often won't know if a share house is right for you until you actually experience it, so if you're interested, one way to do it is to choose a property that allows short-term occupancy and try it out first. Choose a living environment that suits you, make the most of the benefits of a share house, and live a comfortable life.
