UK's middle-aged and elderly forced to flat share 
More than 10% of those in shared accommodation are aged over 40, according to two of the UK's largest flat-share websites. Spare Room has said that since 2009, the number of renters aged over 65 has risen by 725% while Easy Roommate has seen a rise of 13% of those aged 40 and over in the last three years.

The number of over-65s seeking a room has soared by 725 per cent

Spare Room site said almost 40,000 of its users are now over 55 years old

More than one in ten of those in shared

For many of us, the days of fighting over whose turn it is to clean the bathroom or buy the milk are long over.

But soaring numbers of the middle-aged and elderly people are being forced to live in flat-shares because of relationship breakdowns and high property prices.

More than one in ten of those in shared accommodation are now aged over 40 – with a large proportion resigned to being 'lifetime renters', according to two of the UK's largest flat-share websites.

Spare Room said almost 40,000 of its users are now over the age of 55, while the number of over-65s seeking a room to rent has soared by 725 per cent since 2009.

Spare Room said almost 40,000 of its users are now over the age of 55, while the number of over-65s seeking a room to rent has soared by 725 per cent since 2009

At the same time, the average user's age on Easy Roommate is 28, while the proportion of its customers aged over 40 has risen 13 per cent in the past three years.

And while the majority of flat-sharers are under 30, many are wary about living with people old enough to be their grandparents.

According to an Easy Roommate survey, 68 per cent of under-30s would not share with someone over 60.

Property market analyst Kate Faulkner said: 'We noticed four or five years ago that people were selling up their houses and moving into rental accommodation.

'A lot of people started to cash in the chips on their property because they considered it their pension, but in the UK we're also looking at a high divorce rate and an ageing population.'

Spare Room director Matt Hutchinson, said: 'A big factor is that people are renting and sharing for longer.

Some people haven't got on to the property ladder at all and now consider themselves to be lifetime renters.

'People are coming out of long-term relationships, and getting divorced. While perhaps ten years ago they would have rented on their own, they're finding that's not affordable any longer.'

Dan Wilson Craw, policy manager at campaign group Generation Rent, added: 'Housing costs have been rising faster than wages for nearly a decade, so renters have had to find flatmates to make renting affordable, and many are reaching their 40s without a home of their own.

'Although it is not yet the norm, more over-40s are finding themselves in living arrangements more associated with twentysomethings. While some might enjoy this, many others would prefer their own space.

'Everyone has the right to an affordable home but the Government is not doing enough to build the homes we need.'

Soaring numbers of the middle-aged and elderly people are being forced to live in flat-shares because of relationship breakdowns and high property prices

Jamie Brunel, 57, from Devon, whose friend Deborah Menhinnitt, 69, lives in her spare room, said that flat-sharing with a friend offered the perfect living arrangement. 'It gives you companionship, security and someone to talk to,' she added. 'I can't remember ever having an argument.

'Some of the nearby villagers have strange ideas about us, but we are from similar backgrounds and have shared interests. We have seven cats together now.'

Elaine Salisbury, 62, said after 'losing everything' in a divorce over a decade ago, she has been unable to buy another property.

After living with a landlord in his 30s, she is now moving into a house with five others, including students and teachers.

Ms Salisbury, an NHS administrator from Surrey, said: 'Until I can claim my state pension, I've got to carry on as I am, sadly. I would like to get a mortgage, but it's not going to happen with my income and at my age.

'Another alternative would be to rent my own flat, but the average price in the area is £1,600 a month, which is what I take home after tax so it's out of the question.