Halfway between community and individual housing, coliving is slowly but surely establishing itself in the real estate landscape. What does it look like ? Report in one of these neo-residences, in Rennes, in Brittany.
Welcome home ! Between the walls of the residence Kerbig in Rennes, there are twelve rooms. And twelve bathrooms too. This is the charm of coliving, a new mode of cohabitation between shared accommodation and a hotel. Here, the space is divided into common rooms and individual mini-studios. “The principle is to share places like the kitchen and living room, while having a private apartment furnished and equipped, with an all-inclusive rent”, develops Thibault Cartier, co-founder and director of KenavHomethe local coliving company.
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Need for privacy
A shared living room, but a private bathroom, a shared garden but a locked individual bedroom. Intimacy and sharing coexist within the walls of the Rennes residence. And in the winding corridors of the large building, residents pass each other, or not. No obligation here. “If you want to rest and enjoy a moment of calm and privacy, you can isolate yourself in a space just for you,” argues Garance, 24 years old, resident. “But if you want to have a drink, watch TV in the living room or tell others about your day, you can too,” adds Camille, one of her many roommates.
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Around 7 p.m., some are playing video games on the couch, others are busy in the kitchen, while the last few have not returned. Paths cross and no days are the same. There is no shortage of space. Three floors covering 270 square meters, an outdoor garden, a cinema room, a gym… “When there are twelve of us, we have to be able to invest in space and diversify meeting places so as not to create traffic jams,” jokes Thibault.
War on dust
No dirty underwear on the floor, crumbs on the table or dishes left in the sink. In the living room of the residence Kerbig, nothing sticks out. Things are carefully put away and dust meticulously removed. They owe this cleanliness to an employee appointed to come and clean the premises once a week. On the wall, a small board distributes other household chores. Camille will have to take out the glass on Thursday, and Victor will be on trash bin mission on Sunday. And it works.
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This organization, for Alexandre, is “a real plus” in choosing this lifestyle. “Hygiene is really the element that worried me about cohabitation,” confides the thirty-year-old. Arriving in Rennes last year, he first settled in alone in a small studio in November 2023. Very quickly, loneliness caught up with him. He then decides to look for a traditional shared accommodation. But during his various visits, one element blocks him: sharing the bathroom. For questions of hygiene, privacy and organization. “If there are five of us who have to take a shower in the morning, what do we do? ».
Alexandre then discovered co-living, which for him was the perfect compromise. The same goes for his associates. Garance, Camille, Victor… all are relieved to live together in a clean house, where the common areas are regularly cleaned, like in a hotel. After all, “living with a roommate means living at home, so it’s better to be in a peaceful and serene environment”.
A concept that appeals to young professionals
Looking for new encounters, a period of personal or professional transition, or simply curiosity to experience life in a community… The reasons for putting your luggage in a room KenavHome are numerous. The only rule is that there are no rules. “We accept everyone” specifies Thibault Cartier. Not everyone is interested though.
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“The typical profile of a resident is a young working person aged 32, in a period of transition”adds the boss. No couple, no family and students are rare. The reason: prices, often too high for this part of the population. “Rates start from €650 per room”. And they can go up to 875. A significant cost to enjoy the advantages of collective life while maintaining your privacy.
