In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer and Account Executive Rochelle Blakeman, sit down with Mark Thomson, Planning Director at Savills, and Rosie Ashton, Design Manager at Verv-life, to discuss the rise of co-living, what it is, who it’s for, and whether it can help tackle two of London’s biggest challenges: the housing crisis and urban loneliness.
As London grapples with soaring rents, shrinking supply, and a saturated HMO market, co-living is emerging as a more professional, community-centred alternative. Mark and Rosie explore how the sector has evolved from early concepts into a sophisticated, purpose-built rental model offering private ensuite studios, all-inclusive bills, flexible tenures, and curated social and wellbeing programmes. With many HMOs failing to meet the needs of single-person households - and often removing valuable family housing from the market - the conversation examines how co-living can relieve pressure, improve quality, and provide renters with stability and connection.
The episode also delves into best-practice co-living design, from clustering amenities to create welcoming social hubs, to managing spaces in ways that reduce intimidation and encourage residents to meet new people. Rosie reflects on how recent building regulations have influenced studio layouts, leading to more functional, better-zoned living environments, while Mark discusses the role of location and local partnerships in shaping community impact - including gyms, coworking spaces, cultural programming, and links with nearby businesses.
Affordability threads through the discussion, with both guests highlighting how all-inclusive rents, predictable costs, and shorter minimum tenancies offer Londoners greater flexibility. They also explore the potential for discounted-market co-living tailored to key workers, arguing that policy reform and clearer guidance could unlock a more significant role for the sector in London’s long-term housing strategy.
For anyone interested in housing innovation, rental market reform, community-led placemaking, or how London can diversify supply in the face of mounting pressures, this episode offers insight into the new opportunities shaping the next generation of urban living.