What’s new in the 2026 edition

When we published the first edition of this handbook, co-living was still, in many respects, fighting for recognition. Planning consents were hard won and the pipeline was modest. What a difference a year makes.

The data in this 2026 edition, compiled exclusively by Savills in January 2026, tells a story of a sector that has decisively turned a corner. This is the year co-living began securing consent at real scale, and as a result, the pipeline has extended dramatically. In 2025, a record 8,847 co-living units were granted planning permission across the UK, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 by 27%. In London alone, 5,845 units were consented, nearly double the 2024 figure of 3,166.

Reference: Savills Co-living Pipeline Data, January 2026