Co-Living is a relatively new form of accommodation. It is a purpose-built, short-term residential scheme that provides studio accommodation with access to shared communal facilities under a single management company. It claims to provide a balance between privacy and community and caters for mainly young, single professionals and graduates who stay for a short time. Minimum tenancy 3 months. Average tenancy 10 months. Co-living does not fall within any national standards for minimum space. Instead, it is up to local authorities to set their own guidelines.
A draft Co-Living Document (SPD) is being prepared by Bristol City Council . We oppose those proposed by Bristol in their current form.
Space standards. The minimum space requirement being proposed in Bristol for a private unit is 18sqm (less than half the 37sq m minimum in Class C3). This figure includes a proportion of communal space, but is inadequate. The provision of 11.5sqm floorspace for sleeping, leaves an area slightly less than 3m x2.2m for washing/showering/relaxing/working/preparing meals/eating meals. This is not enough. A minimum of 25sqm (excluding communal proportion) should be the minimum.
There also be :- Minimum provision for adaptable wheelchair access: Hackney council sets it at 10% – Increased provision for Affordable Housing from proposed 20%. Southwark council sets it at 35%. – Internet. Whilst internet access is often provided, it should be included as an essential facility, as all co-living rents are short term, but broadband contracts are not. – Management. Consistent, well managed communal facilities and services is essential (complaints of piles of washing up are not uncommon) especially with a changing population of residents. The ratio of 1 kitchen to 8 residents is too high. Think morning rush hour.
Co-living can provide an attractive form of accommodation for those moving to a new job in Bristol until they find somewhere more permanent. But in terms of the city’s overall housing profile and housing need, what percentage does this represent? What evidence base is there for promoting co-living on a large scale? If those using co-living then go on to look for their own flats or HMO’s, in what respect does co-living relieve the housing shortage? The provision of a significant percentage of truly affordable housing could go some way to answering this. But it is important that co-living does not take precedence over the desperate need for other forms of housing in the city. Manchester set a cap of 5000 co-living units to see how the scheme would work. Bristol should do something similar.
The consultation ends on 17th November. see https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ask