Community life, sharing common spaces, individual rooms, … These features are found in both regular flat sharing and coliving. Yet, while these two concepts share many similarities, they are just as different. So, you’re probably wondering: How to distinguish them?
You’re lucky because we’re going to give you the 10 major differences between these two ways of life: coliving and regular flat sharing. But before that, it’s important to briefly recall the definition of each of these terms. Regular flat/apartment sharing refers to renting the same dwelling to several people (outside of the family context).
These characteristics are also included in coliving, with the difference that the tenant shares common areas with all the others tenants. They have everything they need, while maintaining their independence and benefiting from many services. It’s the new way of living together that’s all the rage. Of course, the differences are not just there. So, are you ready to discover more?
#1 : Find your apartment in one click
What if we told you that it only took 5 minutes to find your coliving room? With Colivys, you can do everything directly from our website. It couldn’t be easier. You just have to specify the city where you want to settle down to access all our offers. Then, you can visit your favourite room and your future apartment (or house) with one click. Our super teams have made 360° videos to help you envision your new home. As we won’t leave you alone, all practical information about your future neighbourhood, local shops and access to transport, is also on our site!
#2: No need to have one of the best rental files
Unlike traditional real estate agencies and landlords who ask for a rental file containing far more documents than what is really necessary, coliving simplifies this process. So that everyone can aspire to have a home, whether you are a student, young professional worker or entrepreneur, your file only needs to contain a copy of your ID (ID card, passport, residence permit), your last 3 pay slips if you’re an employee and your school certificate if you’re a student. If you don’t have guarantors, we work with specialized companies that can vouch for you.
#3 : No need to look for your roommates
If you have already tried traditional flat/apartment share before, you’ve probably had to undertake the difficult mission of finding new roommates: the one who will replace the last roommate who left, or the one who arrived at the same time as you. It’s not the most obvious. Fortunately, by choosing to call on a company like Colivys, that’s a thing of the past! You choose the room you like on the site, you submit your rental file, you pay your rent and that’s it! You will gradually discover the colivers who will join you. Profiles are generally well chosen, so that good harmony reigns within your residence. You will see, it’s the best way to avoid loneliness while maintaining your privacy.
#4 : Change apartments and cities easily
What’s great about coliving is the flexibility this lifestyle offers its residents. Created to best align with its tenants’ habits, coliving allows you to quickly change residences. Whether you need a room for a few months or a few years, regardless of the length of your stay, call us and we will prepare your inventory of fixtures within hours. Coliving accommodations are increasingly common and in all major cities in France. You can settle in the accommodation in coliving that suits you, in a snap.
#5: Solve your problems with your city manager
At Colivys, we have city managers in all the cities where we are. Whether you live in Bordeaux, Paris, Nantes, Toulouse, Marseille, Grenoble, Strasbourg or Lyon, they will be your go-to contact on site. The city manager will be your point of reference to assist you in your installation. On the day your moving-in, they will give you the keys to access your room. If a problem arises, they are also there to help you fix it. You just have to contact them, describe the ongoing incident (losing your keys, the washing machine breaking down…), and they will do everything possible to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
#6 : Everything is included in the apartment
The undeniable advantage of coliving is that everything is included. By choosing this lifestyle, you won’t need to incur additional expenses related to your rent. The home insurance and internet subscription for your dwelling are already part of the monthly amount displayed for your room. A provision for rental charges (water, electricity, and gas) is also included in your rent. Another significant aspect of coliving is that it is rented fully equipped. So, you won’t have any additional costs to incur. No need to buy a bed, wardrobe, washing machine, or a thousand and one pots for the kitchen. In coliving, everything is already provided so that you and your co-tenants can settle in and start your stay without any worries 😉
#7: A simplified lease
Our credo at Colivys: facilitate access to housing for every student and young professional. To allow our French or foreign clients to unload the burden of administration, we wanted to simplify the lease agreement.
For this, our leases are translated in English and several other languages, such as Spanish, so that our colivers can fully understand them. These leases are sublet leases, which allows our colivers to not be dependent on each other. Always in the interest of facilitating their installation, the lease contract has a validity of one year, renewable with one month’s notice.
#8 : An excellent quality-price ratio
If you’re looking for a spacious and comfortable place to live at a lower cost, we have the solution for you. Coliving allows you to live in a large living space, furnished and fully equipped, for the price of an empty studio. This new real estate trend allows you to have your private space, consisting of a bedroom and sometimes your personal bathroom. If space allows, you may also have access to additional services such as a gym, a cinema room, a coworking space, or even a garden. Coliving also offers many activities without having to spend a single extra cent!
#9: Decoration done with care
In coliving, all spaces are rethought so that you have nothing to add after your installation. The decoration and layout are cared for so that you can project yourself and feel comfortable. Gone are the gloomy and outdated decorations that adorn traditional shared accommodations. Coliving dusts all that off by offering you harmonious and modern living spaces. The accommodations we offer at Colivys are neutral and punctuated with touches of color. Terracotta, emerald green, lilac: our teams try to follow trends and adapt them to allow you to have a relaxing space conducive to your well-being.
#10 : A formula adapted to your needs
Unlike traditional shared housing, coliving really adapts to your pace of life and your needs. A undeniable advantage when you come from a foreign country and you do not know the customs of your host country very well. As a clever mix between shared housing and a hotel, we offer services including the delivery of a gourmet basket for your first days or your transfer from your arrival location (airport or train station) to your new home. If you want to move in as a couple, coliving allows it. Nothing better to start your stay among us peacefully.
In summary, coliving is the unique and convivial way to live in a community. You will forge links with your colivers who, we hope, will quickly become your friends. Shared accommodation, coliving or studio, the choice is yours.
