A new study has found that music is cited as the number one interest among flatsharers looking for new housemates.

The data comes from the UK's leading flatsharing website, SpareRoom and was based on 50,000 profiles. 55% listed music as their biggest interest, with the favourite instrument the guitar for men and vocals for women.

Active interest

With more than half of the rental rooms on the market being offered by those who live there and not landlords or agents, it seems that having an active interest in music (although perhaps not thrash heavy metal) could well help in getting a place to live at a time when three times as many people are looking as there are rooms available.

It was also found that those offering flatshare opportunities have the enjoyment of going to 'gigs' in their top 40 interests, as well as being festival goers.

Pet hates

However, it is also important to note that the survey also found that those offering flat shares also described some of their leading pet hates.

These included having their sleep disturbed at least once a week by music being played at inappropriate times, with 15% woken up every night.

Whilst interest in music came out on top of the list (55%) it could well be good to show that you are also interested in travelling, cooking, the gym, socailising, reading and films.

If you're an avid reader, you might be less happy to share a house with someone who plays drums. And it's worth asking about any house rules on playing music, whether live or recordedSpareRoom

Drummers beware

Speaking about the findings, Matt Hutchinson, a director at flatshare site SpareRoom, said: "Who you live with is arguably more important than where you live.

Leading with interests is a great way to break the ice at a viewing. It also gives everyone a sense of how things might go if you were to move in.

If you're an avid reader, you might be less happy to share a house with someone who plays drums. And it's worth asking about any house rules on playing music, whether live or recorded."