Is London's housing crisis making break-ups harder?

London's housing crisis has become one of the capital's biggest talking points, with soaring rents, a shortage of affordable homes and councils under increasing pressure to find temporary accommodation for families in need.

But according to one relationship expert, it's also creating another problem that's talked about far less: making it harder for couples to move on after a relationship has ended.

London continues to have the highest private rents anywhere in Britain, while local authorities across the capital are spending millions of pounds every day on temporary accommodation as demand continues to outstrip supply.

Against that backdrop, many Londoners are finding that ending a relationship isn't simply an emotional decision. It's becoming a financial one too.

Leaving a relationship is only half the challenge
For many couples, separating means trying to fund two households instead of one.

In a city where housing costs already stretch household budgets, that isn't always possible.

National research by Zoopla found that more than a third of homeowners who separated continued living with their former partner afterwards, with almost half saying they simply couldn't afford to move out.

While some stay together temporarily while selling a property or arranging finances, others remain under the same roof for months because renting another home simply isn't an option.

It's a situation that relationship experts say they're seeing more often as housing costs continue to rise.

Housing worries are becoming part of the breakup conversation
Monika Braglewicz, divorce coach at https://coachwithmonika.com/, says practical concerns about housing now come up in conversations just as often as the emotional side of separation.

"People often think the hardest part is deciding whether to leave, but for many of the people I work with, that's only the beginning.

"I'm speaking to more clients whose biggest concern isn't whether the relationship is over - it's whether they can actually afford to live separately afterwards. In London especially, people look at rental prices, mortgage costs and the expense of setting up another home and wonder how they'll make it work.

"Some stay in unhappy relationships longer than they want to because they don't see another option. Others have already separated but continue living together because moving out simply isn't financially realistic. That's why having practical support around separation is just as important as emotional support - it allows you to move on in a way that makes sense all round"

A housing issue as well as a relationship issue
The latest figures highlight how closely housing and relationships have become linked.

With London councils continuing to face growing demand for temporary accommodation and housing affordability remaining one of the capital's biggest challenges, relationship breakdown can quickly become about much more than the end of a partnership.

For some, it means delaying a fresh start. For others, it means relying on friends or family, moving into temporary accommodation or continuing to share a home with an ex until their financial situation improves.

While the housing crisis is often discussed in terms of affordability, planning and supply, experts say it's also having a quieter impact on people's personal lives.

As long as housing remains out of reach for many Londoners, the decision to leave a relationship is likely to remain about more than emotions alone. For an increasing number of people, it's also about whether they can afford to close one front door and open another.

Gillespie Rd, Highbury Square, London N5 1LP

Coach with Monika provides compassionate breakup and divorce coaching for people navigating separation, relationship breakdown and life after divorce. Drawing on her own experience and more than 14 years supporting families, Monika helps clients navigate difficult decisions, rebuild confidence and move forward with greater clarity, confidence and hope for the future.

This release was published on openPR.