12 tips for living in a shared house
When it comes to moving out, living with other people may be your best option; you may just find your new best friend!
Houses aren't cheap - but, of course, we don't need to tell you that - which is why, as some of us save to put a deposit down on a place of our own, we may turn to a shared house or renting.
Maybe you're about to head to a new city for a new job, you could be about to move off to university, or maybe, you just fancy a new place to call home for a few years.
Less than 12% of those aged 25 to 34 own their homes, meaning renting, as a trend, is here to stay. Some research also suggests that those showing that living with others can offer health benefits and extend your life, so it may not be a bad thing after all.
So, if you’re new to house sharing or are still getting your head around the concept of living in a shared house with strangers, the AnyVan team has put together 12 tips to help you live in harmony with your housemates:
Make a cleaning rota
We cannot stress how essential this is, especially if you ever want to get your deposit back. Messy, or even unclean areas are almost certainly the number one cause of arguments in flatshares.
If you can all afford it, split the cost of a cleaner each week and get a professional to clean the communal areas. If you can’t, make a rota and make sure everyone does their bit each week.
Pull your weight
Every flat/house has a different way of doing things, but chances are you're constantly finding small jobs and chores crop up. These could be anything, from cleaning related (see back to step 1), buying communal supplies such as toilet rolls, or just taking the bins out.
It's unfair to expect one person to do things every time, so do your fair share, and it can help remove tension and lower the risk of arguments.
Make a WhatsApp group chat
Chances are, it'll be unlikely that everyone will be home simultaneously, meaning that you will need to rely on clear communications to keep things running smoothly. It's the modern version of Post It notes on the fridge!
Use your group chat for things like settling your bills, messages from the landlord or addressing poor cleaning efforts. If issues or problems arise, be direct but not nasty (you have to live with these people!).
Avoid your housemates' food
You might be living with people on your course at university or that you've known for years. Either way, it's bad form to go near their food, no matter how tempting it looks when you open that fridge and spot it in there.
Dairy products and any other products with a short shelf life are great things to share though - leading to fewer plastics bought by your household.
Report maintenance issues
One of the best things to come from the fact that you're renting is that you're not responsible when things go wrong. If your oven has broken, your freezer has stopped working, or your WiFi is temperamental, let your landlord know immediately.
Not doing so can be costly in the long run and may even be taken out of your deposit whenever you come to move out. We all know how important it is to get that deposit back too!
Spare room keys
It's almost considered a certainty that at one point, you're going to come home without your keys. Maybe you left them at work or lost them after a night out, a flatmate can let you in the front door, but if your bedroom is locked, you're in trouble.
If you trust one of your flatmates enough, give them your spare key. Failing that, make sure your landlord has a spare, or keep one hidden away somewhere safe, such as in your food cupboard or by the boiler.
Agree on how you settle bills
As we mentioned earlier, you should share the responsibilities of who is buying your utilities. However, as anyone who has ever bought toilet roll or drain cleaner can attest, costs can quickly start to add up, and it can be incredibly awkward asking flatmates for money - even if they owe you.
One solution that we have found helpful is Splitwise - a nifty bit of software that does exactly what it says on the tin. Here, you can track who owes each other what, with handy automated reminders eliminating the need for any awkward chats.
Don’t hoard all the dishes!
It's gross, and people you live in your shared house with can quickly get frustrated when they struggle to find a fork, plate or mug. Imagine cooking dinner, getting to plating up, and there's nothing to put your warm food onto; cue a not-so-nice cold dinner by the time you've found a plate and washed up!
Plus, your room will start to smell like last night's dinner... I mean, who wants that?!
Make time to socialise
You have to live with these people, so making an effort to build a relationship with them can make your overall renting experience that much more pleasant.
Go to the pub together or make dinner with your flatmates every so often. Doing so will keep things friendly and make any awkward conversations easier if things need addressing.
Be tolerant
If you're moving to a big city such as London, Manchester or Birmingham, chances are that you'll be around people of all different backgrounds and beliefs.
You may not agree with everything your flatmates do or say - and ultimately, if it's trivial issues, that's ok. Mixing with people of other cultures and backgrounds is one of the best things about living in a city.
Can’t choose who you live with
This ties in nicely with the previous point. You can't always choose who you live with, which can be a blessing and a curse. Some of the best friendships and relationships that we know of came from sharing a place to live with someone you had never met before moving in.
Alternatively, you may be very different from those you share with - which is ok too. Go into any rental accommodation with no expectations that you're going to find the Chandler to your Joey and see what happens - you might be pleasantly surprised in time. But, if you can't stand to live with them, be civil, be polite and remember: you won't be in that place forever.
Give people their own space
Being social in a shared house is a great way to make your experience better. However, even the most extroverted among us need time to unwind and get away from everyone. We all have those moments where you just want to chill out, maybe read a book and switch off.
Giving people the space to recharge their batteries is better in the long run, and not everyone is a morning person. Just because you live together, it doesn't mean you have to spend every second socialising - give people their own space from time to time. It'll mean less falling out and petty arguments which leads to a better time living together in a shared house or apartment!
So, there you have it! There are countless guides online who can offer their spin on how you should live in a shared house, but ultimately, the best advice we can offer is to jump in with an open mind.
Who knows, you might make some of the best friendships you've ever had?
Found a new flat?
If you've read our tips and find yourself ready to move into a flatshare, why not use AnyVan to get you in and settled?
With prices up to 40% cheaper than competitors, instant quotes and live driver tracking, we may just be the best - and most affordable - way for you to move.