Maintain a Tidy Living Space:
To avoid disagreements, it’s important to compromise on cleanliness standards. Establish some ground rules for communal areas and communicate your preferences for maintaining a minimum level of cleanliness. Consider using a cleaning rota to ensure everyone contributes equally to household chores.
Organise Bills and Utilities:
Agree with your housemates on a payment system for bills and utilities to prevent conflicts. Set up bank transfers for monthly expenses and keep a record of agreed-upon payment arrangements. Alternatively, explore apps that allow everyone to access and track expenses conveniently from their phones.
Secure Your Personal Space: Keep your personal belongings in your room and make use of storage options to prevent clutter in common areas. In a shared house, security can be a concern, so consider having lockable storage for valuable items in your room.
Effective Communication:
Establish a reliable communication method, such as a group chat, to discuss property-related matters. However, for resolving issues, it’s best to address them face-to-face to avoid misunderstandings. If you haven’t developed a social relationship with your housemates yet, maintaining polite communication will help foster a comfortable atmosphere for everyone.
Respect Housemates’ Privacy:
Respecting each other’s privacy is crucial for maintaining a harmonious living environment. Avoid entering a housemate’s room when they’re not present and always knock if their door is closed.
Considerate Noise Levels:
When inviting friends over, keep noise levels reasonable, and if returning home late, be mindful of being quiet. Inform your housemates in advance if you plan to have visitors, especially if they have work the next day. If you’re sensitive to noise, you can benefit from using sleep-inducing videos or audio that help mask other sounds in the property.
Share Essential Items:
If storage space is limited in the kitchen, it’s a practical idea to collectively own basic kitchen supplies like pots, pans, condiments, spices, and dairy products. This helps save space and prevents unnecessary duplicate purchases.
Choose Housemates Wisely:
If you have the privilege of selecting your housemates, carefully consider compatibility factors such as smoking, cleanliness, or conflicting work schedules. Be honest about your lifestyle when discussing living arrangements with potential housemates. Living with people you get along with will greatly enhance your overall experience.
Communicate with Your Landlord or Letting Agent:
If a housemate becomes a nuisance or violates the terms of the tenancy agreement, inform your landlord or letting agent. They can issue warnings or even initiate eviction proceedings if the issues persist. Keep in mind that the procedures may vary depending on whether you have a joint or separate tenancy agreement.
