I don't know what degree civil servants. Those who are subject to novels generally work in positions of 8th degree and below. They have to make an account of 1 kopeck and reside in rented single rooms.
In fact, the bachelor room issue is observed in all European literature. The absence in Russia cannot be compared to the European countries of the time, but it is seen that the French, English civil servants and working classes were also poor. Orwell describes the hostel houses in Paris and London where he stayed penniless in his book. Accommodation in European literature would be an interesting subject for those who do academic studies on literature. Doctoral and master theses have been written about it.