‘Birdnesting’: why divorcing couples are taking turns to live in the family home

Exes are alternating periods at home with time in a rented flat: it can work well for children and save money – as long as they get along

Divorcing couples with children are increasingly turning to an unconventional living arrangement know as “birdnesting” in order to save money in a time of soaring housing costs.

Under the agreement, both parents take turns living in the family home, often on a week-by-week basis, with the rest of the time spent in a rented flat nearby. The name comes from the similarity to birds taking it in turns to leave the chicks while they search for food, and the arrangement was also the focus of ITV’s four-part drama Our House last year.