More than half (55%) of renters say they would share a spare room to make ends meet, but only a fraction believe their landlord would permit it, reveals Airbnb.
As the Renters Reform Bill is debated in parliament, 79% of renters are searching for ways to bolster their income amid the rising cost of living.
Airbnb has said that the cost of living is set to worsen as winter and increasing energy bills approach, alongside an increase in rental prices which 68% of renters have experienced over the past two years.
For homeowners, sharing a spare room on Airbnb can be a lifeline in challenging economic times, according to the platform, providing a secondary source of income.
Almost four-in-10 UK hosts on Airbnb in the UK say their hosting income helps them afford their own home (39%) and the soaring cost of living (38%).
Amanda Cupples, general manager of UK and northern Europe at Airbnb, commented: “Airbnb was born during an economic crisis when our founders couldn’t afford to cover an increase to their rent.
“Since then, Airbnb has become an economic lifeline to hosts, and yet many renters in the UK cannot access the same opportunity.
“Sharing a spare room on a short-term basis can allow renters to boost their income and help them with the increasing cost of living.
“We encourage renters to check the terms of their tenancy agreements and with their landlord to see if home sharing is a possibility.”
