Share accommodation explained: types, costs and what to check

The main types

• Share house: several renters, each with their own room, sharing common areas.
• Room in an owner's home: the owner lives there and rents out a spare room; often quieter, with house rules set by the owner.
• Couples rooms: a larger room for two, usually at a higher rent.
• Short or flexible stays: furnished rooms for a few weeks or months, often with bills included.

What's usually included

Most rooms come with shared use of the kitchen, laundry and living areas. Furnished rooms usually include a bed, wardrobe and desk. Bills may be included or split, so always ask what the weekly cost covers.

Your rights depend on the arrangement

Tenancy rules differ between states and territories, and between being on a lease, renting from a head tenant, or boarding or lodging in an owner's home. Check your state or territory's tenancy authority if you're unsure which applies.

What to check before you agree

• Weekly cost including bills.
• Bond and where it's lodged.
• Notice period for both sides.
• House rules on guests, pets, smoking and quiet hours.
• Who you'll live with and what they're like day to day.

How MateHaus helps

• Free for everyone. Browse rooms, post a room-wanted profile and message anyone without paying or waiting.
• Checked listings. Every member verifies their mobile number by SMS code, and every new room listing is checked by the MateHaus team before it goes live.
• Lifestyle match. Both sides answer a few quick questions, and each room shows how well you'd likely live together.
• Inspections in the chat. Pick an open-for-inspection time or suggest one. Once you both accept, you each get a calendar invite.
• Match alerts. Save a search and get an email when a new room suits your budget.

Common questions

What is share accommodation?

Share accommodation is renting a private room in a home and sharing the kitchen, living areas and sometimes the bathroom with other people.

Is share accommodation cheaper than renting alone?

Usually, yes, because rent and bills are split between several people. Compare the weekly cost including bills.

Where can I find share accommodation for free?

On MateHaus, browsing rooms, posting a room-wanted profile and messaging are free for everyone, and every listing is checked before it goes live.

Are bills included in share accommodation?

Sometimes. Some rooms include bills in the rent, others split them between housemates. Ask before you agree.