Top Tips for House Sharing

Sharing a house with total strangers can be a great experience – and it might even be one of the best things you ever do. Not only is it an affordable way to live, but it also provides opportunities for personal growth and new relationships. And if you’re thinking about doing it, you certainly wouldn’t be alone. Shared accommodation is becoming increasingly popular, in recent years, students, working professionals and even people who plan to become homeowners in the future have all been taking advantage of this convenient and often more cost-effective option.

Living with others brings many benefits including lower living costs, more flexibility when it comes to finding a place to stay that suits your budget and lifestyle, and the chance to meet new people from all walks of life. It's also an opportunity to learn from those around you - whether that's gaining cooking tips from your flatmate or listening to their opinions on current affairs. Plus, you get access to communal facilities such as washing machines which can save time and money on launderette trips.

Respect other housemates

When sharing a room, it's important to build positive relationships with those you live with. Create an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding by getting to know your fellow housemates and engaging in conversations that show respect and openness. It's important to recognise the diversity among you, from differing opinions and perspectives to individual lifestyles. Respect each other’s space and privacy as well, whether that means staying out of one another’s bedrooms or refraining from talking about sensitive information.

Furthermore, be mindful of noise levels when living with others; be considerate when bringing friends over or playing music, turning down the sound if it becomes too loud or disturbing for your housemates. Respect each other’s belongings as well, whether that means returning borrowed items in good condition or refraining from taking someone else's food without asking them first. Lastly, be respectful when communicating with each other by using appropriate language and avoiding making assumptions about another person's thoughts or beliefs. By being open-minded and fostering a culture of respect in your shared home, you can create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone living there.

Socialise with the others

Moving into a house full of strangers can be quite intimidating, but it is also an amazing opportunity to meet new people and learn more about yourself. Take the initiative to converse with your fellow roommates and discuss topics that you all have in common, such as music, sports, hobbies, and other interests. Soap carving is actually a very popular hobby amongst many households – it provides a great way of expressing creativity while also being incredibly therapeutic. Although you might be feeling anxious or scared at first, start off by having casual conversations over lunch or dinner and find out what you all have in common.

In addition to talking about your shared interests, getting to know your roommates on a personal level is important too. Ask questions about their backgrounds and families, like where they are from or where they went to school – these types of conversations can help with forming meaningful relationships. If one of your roommates has been living in the house for longer than the others then ask them for advice on how best to get along with everyone else. They may have some helpful tips on how to make life in the household more harmonious and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Above all else, remember that even if you don't wind up making friends with everyone in the house it's still important to keep things civil and respectful. It's okay not to get along with everyone – it happens! But try not to let disagreements or differences of opinion ruin anyone's experience in the home. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need help as well – most people are willing to lend a hand whenever they can!

Pay your rent on time

It's essential to create a payment plan for rent that works for you so that you don't have any worry or stress about making the payment. If you choose to pay monthly, make sure that rent is always your top priority. Rent payments should take precedence over expenses such as entertainment and eating out. When drafting up a budget, rent should be the first item on the list. Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that if your rent is late then you can incur fines or other fees.

For those living in shared spaces with roommates, it's important to communicate about payment arrangements and expectations. Work out a system for sharing costs and for ensuring that everyone is accountable for their portion of the rent. This can help ensure everyone is paying on time and avoid any additional fees from late payments. It's also important to know how your landlord accepts payments and make sure you stay organized with all documentation related to rent payments such as receipts and invoices.

Be aware of rental laws in your area as they can provide protections against evictions or other issues related to non-payment or partial payment of rent. Knowing these laws can help provide an extra layer of security if there are ever any issues with making timely payments. Ultimately, paying your rent on time is essential so be sure to make it a priority when creating your budget and setting up a payment plan!

Check the notice board

Most shared houses will have a notice board located in the communal area, which serves as a hub for all kinds of important information. From electric certificates and emergency numbers, to vital information from landlords or agents that tenants need to be aware of, the notice board is an essential resource that everyone living in the house should check regularly.

It's important to keep up with any notices that may appear on the board, as these could include official documents related to your tenancy agreement such as rent payments or lease renewals; changes in any local services like bin collection times; vital health and safety information such as fire alarm testing dates; and notifications about planned building works or repairs. Keeping track of these notices can help you stay informed about what's going on in your home and ensure you don't miss anything while living in a shared house.

In addition, it can also provide useful advice about energy efficiency measures and other tips for saving money on bills, or even details about social events held by your landlord or agent. You might occasionally find leaflets from local businesses offering exclusive discounts or freebies for residents, so make sure you take a quick look at the notice board every now and again!

Report maintenance issues

Maintaining a shared house can be a tricky business, as any issues that arise are the responsibility of all tenants to report and maintain. It is important to notify your landlord or estate agent as soon as possible of any maintenance issues which may occur in the property so that they can send an expert to fix it quickly. This could include anything from a leaky tap to broken windows or faulty electrics. Lightbulbs should usually be replaced by the tenants themselves, however, if there is a complicated electrical issue it would be best to consult a professional electrician.

It is important to keep the house well maintained at all times in order to avoid any further problems from occurring in the future. Make sure that you check all appliances regularly for signs of damage, such as fraying wires or broken switches, and address any issues immediately. If you have any concerns about the general state of repair of your property then this should also be reported to your landlord or estate agent who will usually send an inspector out to review the situation and provide advice on what needs doing. Taking care of these issues early on can help prevent disasters like flooding or fire and ensure that everyone living in the house is kept safe and secure at all times.