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[00:00.40] Grimy coffee cups, dirty clothes all over the floor and uninvited guests – and they're not even yours! These are the joys of flatsharing.

[00:12.09] So why do we do it? Well, for many, buying a house or flat is just too expensive.

[00:18.73] In fact, according to the Guardian, the total amount of rent paid by tenants in Britain in 2017 rose to more than £50 billion – more than double the level of ten years prior.

[00:33.07] And for those who do, many choose to share the place with strangers to save money.

[00:38.39] You rent a room and share the kitchen, living room and bathroom, for example.

[00:43.70] But apart from the financial saving, what are the pros and cons of flatsharing?

[00:50.34] The pros? Well, living with others means that you can pool your resources.

[00:55.92] You may not even need to ask; just leave an IOU. Then there's the fact that you gain access to their social networks.

[01:04.42] Living with people means meeting their friends, who may then become your friends.

[01:09.73] And don't forget the networking opportunity. Lastly, there's the emotional support.

[01:16.37] Due to the nature of communal living, you're not just dealing with your own life events, but other people's too.

[01:23.01] Most likely, there'll always be a shoulder to cry on when you need one.

[01:27.26] But don't forget to reciprocate when they need it.

[01:31.52] Now the cons. There's limited storage space, for a start.

[01:35.76] In most cases, the kitchen, for example, will be divvied up into designated shelves and areas.

[01:41.61] Worse, many people may not respect these boundaries. You might well come home to find someone's pilfered your milk or shower gel, and no one owns up to it.

[01:52.76] Furthermore, despite the rota showing that cleaning is everyone's responsibility, some people don't like to pull their weight.

[02:01.26] And then there are the unexpected guests.

[02:03.39] If a flatmate forgets to keep you in the loop about a party they're throwing and all you want is a quiet night, it can be challenging.

[02:13.22] Whether the pros outweigh the cons is something everyone must decide for themselves.

[02:19.06] Some people prefer their own space, while others thrive in a social environment.

[02:24.90] Regardless, for many who lack the means to buy their own property, a flatshare is, and will continue to be, a necessity.