Shared Living Etiquette: How to Live Harmoniously with Your Housemates

Communication is Key

Effective communication is essential for a harmonious living environment. Here’s how to keep things running smoothly:

  • Set Ground Rules: At the start of the term, have a house meeting to set ground rules. Discuss expectations for noise in exam periods and late at night, cleanliness, and shared responsibilities. Creating a bin rota usually works well!
  • Regular Check-ins: Hold regular house meetings to address any issues and make sure everyone is on the same page.
  • Respect Privacy: Respect each other’s personal space and privacy. Knocking before entering rooms is always a good idea!

Addressing Common Issues

Here are some common issues that can arise in shared student housing and how to handle them:

  • Cleanliness: Develop a cleaning rota to ensure general jobs are shared equally. This helps prevent one person taking all the responsibility!
  • Noise Levels: Be considerate of your housemates’ study and sleep schedules. Keep noise to a minimum if you come back from a night out and they stayed in. Try to use headphones when listening to music or watching TV in your room.
  • Shared Items: Set clear guidelines for sharing items like kitchen supplies, toiletries, and food. Consider setting up a communal fund for shared items to keep things fair; this stops one person always paying.

Consider Housr Bills, the student-favourite bills company, to avoid awkward conversations about transferring money when people are short. Splitting the cost fairly and equally is the best way forward when it comes to bills.

Housemates sat on a wall

Conflict Resolution

Conflicts are inevitable, but they can be resolved easily:

  • Stay Calm: Approach conflicts with a calm and open mind. Try not to escalate the situation.
  • Listen Actively: Listen to your housemate’s perspective without interrupting. Work together and be able to compromise to find a solution that works for all.

Clear Billing with Housr

One of the most common sources of conflict in shared student housing is money, particularly when it comes to paying bills. Housr can help prevent these conflicts with clear and straightforward billing:

  • Single Monthly Payment: Housr consolidates all your student utility bills—water for students, broadband for students, electricity for students, and gas—into one easy monthly payment. This eliminates the need to split multiple bills each month.
  • Fixed Costs: With Housr Unlimited Bills, you’ll pay the same amount every month, making it easier to budget and avoid surprises.
  • Split Liability: Each housemate is only responsible for their share of the bills. This means you don’t have to worry about chasing your housemates for their portion of the money or covering their costs if they fall behind.

Final Tips for Successful Shared Living

Here are some final tips to help you and your housemates live harmoniously:

  • Be Considerate: Small acts of consideration, like washing your dishes right after using them or keeping the noise down, go a long way in maintaining a peaceful living environment.
  • Stay Connected: Spend time together as a house. Whether it’s having a movie night, cooking together, or a house trip to the pub, building a good relationship with your housemates makes shared living more enjoyable and university life even better!