The impact of the sharing economy in the real estate sector

“Sharing is caring”

The millennials generation - i.e. people born between 1980 and 2000 - appreciate the many benefits of using apartments, offices or floor space for a limited space of time. In the real estate sector, the so-called sharing economy is seen as one of the most important real estate trends of our time.

The sharing economy as a driver of change

The sharing economy holds an enormous potential, but also impacts professions dealing with the construction or management of properties. One would assume that a decrease in demand for buildings would also lead to reduced demand for construction companies, planners, architects, property owners or operators. But it is not quite that simple. On the contrary: The sharing economy brings with it many new opportunities that could influence occupations in the real estate sector positively in the long run.

Private apartments

Many tourists, especially millennials, prefer authentic travel experiences. This includes living like a local. New online platforms rent out rooms or entire apartments for short-term use directly from private individuals. Part of the authentic travel experience is that this private accommodation is often less expensive than hotel accommodation, and is often located in trendy neighbourhoods. In this way the sharing economy is becoming serious competition for the classic hotel industry and the rental property market.

Office space

In cities such as Zurich, Munich or Berlin, professional providers of co-working spaces or short-term office space are a real blessing for young entrepreneurs, start-ups and founders of small businesses. In the past, this target group often had problems finding office space in the regular market. As low value tenants, they were not of interest to investors.

Household communities

In apartment buildings, periods abroad or tenant changeover may lead to temporarily unused space, which can be leased out to third parties. In basements, there is sometimes a stark contrast between heavily used spaces and unused areas. These unused areas could be rented out as storage space. The sharing economy principle also works for common rooms which are not used for certain periods of time, as well as for outbuildings, green areas or even services such as janitorial services.

Opportunities for the real estate sector

In general, it can be said that, despite the various advantages and disadvantages, the interest in and demand for interim property use is on the rise. 

In order for real estate service providers to be able to use this sharing economy trend effectively, they should ask themselves: Which type of shared use is acceptable, and what must be taken into account to ensure that the statutory and legal requirements are met? It must also be determined in which areas and by which means the brokering of unused spaces can be actively expanded. Thus the sharing economy holds the potential for many new and exciting business models, cooperations and partnerships.