With the price of real estate and rents in Luxembourg, more and more people are opting for a more affordable solution: shared accommodation. Indeed, today, if you want to rent alone in Luxembourg, the average rent is €1,800 per month (1).
Due to rising prices, shared accommodation is a type of accommodation that is no longer only popular with students. The average cost of a room in a shared accommodation in Luxembourg generally varies between 800 and 1,200 euros, depending on the city. This option makes it possible to share costs and benefit from a larger living space. It is also increasingly popular with young professionals and people living alone who want lower rent and charges.
Choosing shared accommodation can therefore be an interesting strategy for those looking to reduce their expenses while living in pleasant surroundings.
(1) https://data.public.lu/en/datasets/loyers-annonces-des-logements-a-luxembourg-ville-par-quartier/
To find a shared accommodation in Luxembourg, there are several options available to you. In recent years, many specialised online platforms have been developed, such as Appartager.lu, which offer many shared accommodation listings. These sites allow you to filter offers according to your budget and location criteria.
You can also find many Facebook groups dedicated to shared accommodation in Luxembourg, which are a wealth of offers and advice.
Do not minimise your student or professional network. You can ask around for those who know of places becoming available in shared accommodations.
Finally, a last alternative is to set up your own shared accommodation by finding a house or a large apartment whose owner will give you permission.
What are the conditions for sharing an accommodation?
Shared accommodation can be defined as the same accommodation being rented to several people (house or apartment). It is characterised in two different ways:
- There is a lease contract per room to be rented in the accommodation: each tenant therefore has their own private space and they only share the common rooms such as the living room, the kitchen or the bathroom.
- There is a common lease contract for all the tenants: they are all listed on the same lease. Here, the tenants do not have a private room stipulated for them in the lease; it is up to them to arrange the distribution of the rooms. The same goes for the rent: in this case, the rent is a shared single sum and it is up to the tenants to divide it between them. This is still the most common method in Luxembourg today.
To succeed in a shared accommodation in Luxembourg, it is also important to define common living rules to ensure good cohabitation. These rules may include the distribution of household tasks, the management of common areas, and respect for quiet times.
Finally, it can be beneficial to choose your roommates carefully, taking into account each person's lifestyles and habits. This promotes a harmonious atmosphere and minimises potential conflicts.
Living in a shared accommodation can present challenges. Sharing a space with others often means compromising on living arrangements. For example, it may be necessary to adapt to strict cohabitation rules, such as bathroom schedules or guest management.
Housekeeping disagreements are common: some people may be laxer, leaving dishes lying around or not keeping to a cleaning schedule. Personal conflicts can also arise, particularly due to cultural or personality differences.
It is also possible that roommates have different lifestyles, which can create tension, especially if one of them is noisy late at night. Finally, shared accommodation often means a lack of privacy, which can be difficult in the long run.
Co-living and shared accommodation share the idea of living together, but they differ in several aspects. Co-living is presented as an improved version of shared accommodation, offering a unique experience with superior quality services. You often benefit from all-inclusive services:
- Access to common areas such as a gym or coworking space.
- Services such as cleaning and internet access.
- Flexibility through individual leases and variable lengths of stay.
In Luxembourg, co-living is growing and particularly attracts young professionals and expatriates looking for temporary accommodation.
A room to rent, on the other hand, offers greater independence compared to shared accommodation. This type of rental is ideal for those who prefer to live alone while having access to the amenities of a shared home. The rooms are often furnished, which makes it easy to settle in quickly.
It is also important to note how the costs compare:
- Shared accommodation: shared costs, often more affordable.
- Room for rent: the cost may be higher, but with more peace and quiet.
Choosing between these different options depends on your priorities in terms of social life, budget and the level of privacy you want.
As an owner or tenant, it is important nowadays to protect your home against the various possible risks, such as theft or fire. Although in Luxembourg home insurance is not compulsory for tenants, it is still recommended to take out an insurance, for your own peace of mind. Indeed, when you live in shared accommodation and damage occurs, each person may be held responsible for the loss. This is particularly true if there is a joint and a solidarity clause between the co-tenants. For this reason, it is advisable to insure yourself against any losses which may occur in your home.
There is currently no legal framework for shared accommodation. However, as a co-tenant, insuring your accommodation does at least enable you to cover your room, the communal rooms shared with all the co-tenants, as well as your personal belongings.
What differences are there between traditional home insurance and home insurance for shared accommodation?
Strictly speaking, there is no home insurance policy for shared accommodation, but there are several solutions.
In general, insurers offer ‘shared home’ insurance, where the co-tenants share the cost of the insurance between them, and each room is insured under the same policy. The home insurance policy therefore contains all the names of the different tenants and will cover the entire surface area of the rented apartment or house.
This home insurance provides all the protection which a standard home insurance policy - such as Home - can offer. However, the difference lies in the fact that the insurer specifies, in a clause, that the contents of the accommodation are insured in accordance with ownership. This means that each tenants’ personal belongings are insured separately in the policy.
It is also possible for each co-tenant to take out home insurance individually. However, in the event of a claim where the co-tenants are not insured with the same company, settlement of the claim may be more complicated.
Finally, the landlord may take out rental risk insurance, the cost of which will be reflected in the utilities.
Each co-tenant must also take out separate legal liability insurance.
If home insurance for rental risks is not included in the utilities, the best approach is to take out home insurance with the same insurer in order to facilitate settlement in the event of claims, and to avoid disputes with the other co-tenants.
This text was first published in November 2021 and updated in September 2024.