Co-Living and HMOs: Why Inventories Matter for Landlords
Published on August 31, 2025 by Sarah Mac
Co-living and shared rentals are booming across UK cities as affordability pressures continue to rise. For landlords, this trend brings strong demand and the potential for reliable income streams.
But shared tenancies also present challenges. Managing wear and tear, fairly attributing responsibility, and preventing disputes can become complicated when several people share a home.
This is where a detailed shared tenancy inventory and regular mid-term inspections become invaluable.
Why co-living is on the rise
The surge in co-living rental property comes down to two factors: affordability and lifestyle.
With rents at record highs, house-sharing is often the only way for young professionals and students to live in city locations. Alongside traditional HMOs, we’re also seeing the growth of purpose-built co-living developments that offer flexibility, community, and reduced costs.
For landlords, this demand represents opportunity. However, the model also carries higher management risks if not handled properly.
The benefits of multi-tenanted properties for landlords
While multi-tenant arrangements bring more complexity, they also offer clear financial and practical advantages:
- Higher yields: Renting individual rooms often generates more income than a single tenancy on the whole property.
- Reduced voids: With multiple tenants, one moving out doesn’t mean the entire property is empty.
- Wider market appeal: Students, young professionals, and key workers are all actively seeking shared accommodation.
- Predictable demand: In university towns and busy urban centres, HMOs and co-living homes rarely sit empty for long.
For landlords prepared to invest in good management practices, these benefits can outweigh the challenges. The key is ensuring that the additional wear and tear is balanced with strong documentation and clear tenancy agreements.
Unique challenges for landlords
Renting to multiple occupants under one roof is not the same as letting to a single household.
Key challenges include:
Higher wear and tear: Kitchens, bathrooms, and shared lounges inevitably see more use.
Damage attribution: When five people share a kitchen, who’s responsible if the hob is cracked or the sofa is stained?
Deposit disputes: The more tenants involved, the more scope for disagreements.
Turnover pressure: Student lets and HMO house-shares can mean new tenants every year, creating additional admin.
Without clear evidence, disputes can quickly escalate, eating into your time and profits.
Meeting tenant expectations in modern co-living
Today’s co-living tenants expect more than just a room in a shared house. Many are drawn to the model because of the sense of community, flexibility, and convenience it offers. That often means furnished communal spaces, shared appliances, and in some cases, professional management services.
For landlords, this raises the bar. Tenants are more likely to query the condition of furniture, fittings, and shared equipment — and to expect swift resolution of any issues.
Having a clear shared tenancy inventory helps set the standard from day one, showing exactly what was provided and in what condition. This not only protects landlords but also reassures tenants that the arrangement is being managed fairly and transparently.
Inventories: essential protection
A detailed HMO inventory service is one of the most effective tools a landlord has to protect their property.
- Inventories document both private and shared areas, giving clear evidence of condition at check-in and check-out.
- Photographs and detailed notes for communal kitchens, bathrooms, and lounges reduce ambiguity.
- Regular mid-term inspections help spot issues early and keep shared areas under control.
- With robust documentation, landlords are far less likely to face costly adjudication through deposit schemes.
Put simply, inventories provide the foundation for fair, evidence-based landlord deposit protection.
Practical tips for landlords of shared properties
If you manage a multi-tenant property, these best practices will help reduce disputes and keep things running smoothly:
- Ensure tenants sign a joint tenancy agreement so that all share responsibility for the property.
- Carry out thorough check-ins and check-outs, with all tenants present where possible.
- Consider regular mid-term inspections to catch issues before they escalate.
- Use inventories to record the condition of all shared appliances, furniture, and fittings.
These steps don’t just protect your property – they also set expectations clearly for tenants, reducing friction later on.
How SRP can help
At SRP Inventories, we have extensive experience supporting landlords with HMOs, student lets, and co-living spaces.
Our professional reports are clear, detailed, and independent — giving you the peace of mind that your property is accurately documented.
By combining thorough shared tenancy inventories with mid-term inspections, we help landlords save time, reduce disputes, and keep properties profitable.
Looking for a reliable inventory service for your multi-tenanted property? Talk to SRP Inventories.
With the right safeguards in place, co-living doesn’t have to mean higher risk for landlords.
With detailed inventories and regular mid-term inspections from SRP, multi-tenant property management can remain efficient, compliant, and stress-free.
Get in touch today to arrange professional inventory support for your co-living or HMO property.