I'm not familiar with UK tax law, but you don't have to live with 2 people for 9 years. I'd do it until you have enough to put a down payment on a multi-family

I'm not familiar with UK tax law, but you don't have to live with 2 people for 9 years. I'd do it until you have enough to put a down payment on a multi-family and transition to that. Then you don't have to live with the other people, but you still have the advantages.