4 helpful house-sharing tips you need to know

Are you planning on sharing a home anytime soon? Whether it’s your first time in share accommodation, living with strangers or not, it’s always a good idea to mentally prepare for the potential house-sharing hiccups that might come your way. 

Respecting boundaries is key to a successful house-sharing arrangement. Actions that may seem like a small deal to you may be significant for others sharing your space, so it’s important to keep their opinions in mind, in balance with your preferences.

As a result, one of the first things you and your housemates should do after moving in together is decide on some ground rules. Sharehouse rules could cover things like making noise, cooking with dietary requirements, hosting parties, and inviting partners over can step on your roomies’ toes if not discussed and agreed upon prior. Think about what house rules for roommates will make sharing a home more comfortable. Chances are, they’ll reciprocate as long as they feel they can put forward their preferences as well.

You might want to consider dividing and sharing chores, depending on who prefers what or is better at. For example, if one of your housemates is particularly keen on cooking, someone else may volunteer to do the dishes or help with some other chore. 

You could also agree on a timetable with your housemates to decide on when specific chores need to be done and by whom. Cooking schedules are a great way to share cooking responsibilities without having to burden one specific person. A laundry timetable could also be a good idea to ensure loads are done on time. Other calendars such as weekly cleanings and organising may also be a good idea to help you and your roomies visualise the division of chores.

No one likes a busy body, much less when you live with others in a small home. Just like you’d appreciate your own space, it’s important to give others privacy as well. Don’t visit your housemate’s room or use their belongings without asking for permission. Instead, be mindful of their privacy and feel out their social boundaries so you never cross their line.

Generally speaking, you should never enter another person’s room unless they give you permission. Also don’t take anyone’s personal belongings and be mindful of what you can and can’t share (food, cleaning supplies, etc.) even when living in the same home. The right balance of shared space and privacy is key to a successful house-sharing arrangement.

Whether you’re friends with your roommate(s) or not, it’s always a good idea to keep an open mind when getting to know their living habits, culture, and lifestyle. This way, you’re less inclined to start arguments or get frustrated with your roomies. 

Of course, keeping an open mind is easier said than done. However, one of the best ways to becoming more tolerant is recognising that your way is never the only way, and that there are usually both pros and cons to all sorts of living habits. Practising open-mindedness can keep you much happier with your living situation as well, resulting in a healthy household for everyone. Ask genuine questions about things you’re unsure about, so you can better understand where your roommates are coming from. 

Who knows, you might even come to appreciate some of their living habits and adopt them into your own life going forward. There may also be some tech that may help keep you sane while living in share accommodation.

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