Shared flat or living alone: build a like-for-like budget

Define what is private and what is shared

Record whether the quoted rent buys a private room, a bed or an entire apartment. Check access to a kitchen, bathroom, storage and a suitable workspace. A room cannot be compared with a whole apartment as evidence that one city is cheaper. First decide which living arrangement is acceptable, then make a separate scenario for each arrangement.

Write down the bill-sharing rule

Ask whether electricity, heating, internet and cleaning are included or split. An equal split is a planning assumption, not a contractual fact. Illustrative example: a household internet bill of 60 shared equally by three people gives 20 each. If one person leaves and the bill stays 60, an equal split between two becomes 30. Food may remain entirely personal.

Test a vacancy or a change of plans

Keep the advertised room price and any responsibility for unpaid shared bills distinct. Read the actual agreement before assuming that you owe only your own share. Budget for your own deposit and moving costs without multiplying every household item by the number of residents. Confirm guest, noise and work-from-home arrangements before deciding that the cheaper option meets your needs.

Sources and further reading

• Lifovra — methodology and limitations