28 Oct 2025

How much is your flatmate’s love life costing you?

From Nights, 8:20 pm on 28 October 2025

If you’ve ever lived in a flat with other people, you’ve probably encountered this situation, or maybe you’ve even been the culprit yourself.

One of your flatmates starts seeing someone new. They’re hanging out all the time, things get serious, and suddenly that new partner is basically part of the household - three or four nights a week.

Economist Ed McKnight has crunched the numbers and built a calculator that can tell you exactly how much your flatmate’s love life is costing you.

Ed McKnight

Ed McKnight Photo: Supplied / Ed McKnight