House Sharing

theNude

theNude

theNude

Associate
Joined
10 May 2006
Posts
2,334
Howdy,

I am looking for a new place to live since breaking up with my partner and moving out.

I am considering a house/flat share to cut on costs, i have never done this before.. what are the rules? and normal socially acceptable things to do?

I have a Tv, computer etc i will be taking with me.. so i'd probably spend some time playing in my room on them... is this frowned upon? also will i have to bring my own cooking utensils? what are the rules come dinner time and shower time in the morning.

Any help appreciated.

Dude.
 
Some unwritten rule.

Flush the loo, keep the bathroom clean.
Do your own washing up
Share vaccuming duties, and general cleaning duties
No loud music at night
No smoking in the flat, unless you all agree its okay.
If you get a hot girlfriend, ask her if she has a friend for your housemate :p
 
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Whatever you do, don't **** on their rug :D

I've only ever had to share with people from University and so all were friends and cool to live with. There are no rules when it comes to socialising with them, if you know them or like them - spend time with them, if not, don't.

Just make sure you do what Ray said regarding cleaning after yourself in communal areas and no smoking inside unless there is already some arrangement.
 
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I spend most of my time in my room with my tv/computer, and make polite chit-chat when I cross paths with my housemates.

Weekday bathroom usage was discussed ahead of time and thankfully all our times are staggered so we get no overlap.

Cleaning rota, different housemate each week. Do own washing up. If the bin is full, take it out, don't play rubbish jenga.

How you socialise will totally depend on how you get on. I wouldn't socialise outside of the odd dinner at home / barbecue with my current ones, but in the past I have shared with people who all became mates and we'd go clubbing and watch movies together and stuff.

I've been house-sharing with randoms since 2002.
 
thanks, the cleaning and stuff is what i expected really.. i will have my own on suite bathroom anyway so i guess the bathroom rules dont apply too much.

is it weird at first living with random people? i also note your are in London, is £550 a month reasonable for a double room bills included? (east london)
 
theDude said:
thanks, the cleaning and stuff is what i expected really.. i will have my own on suite bathroom anyway so i guess the bathroom rules dont apply too much.

is it weird at first living with random people? i also note your are in London, is £550 a month reasonable for a double room bills included? (east london)
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It's not really, everyone who went to uni and gone to halls have done it. Same rules apply really. Be FRIENDLY, introduce yourself, don't be shy and people will react the same. Be a miserable git and stay in your room all day playing Counter Strike and they'll leave you out when they order in a pizza or going bowling, then you'll wonder where you've gone wrong.

The place is as great as you make it and the people who live in it is what makes it fantastic or miserable.
 
It will be odd at first for me i think, I havent been to uni yet so never stayed in halls. went straight from parents at 21 to owning a flat with my GF. I am very laid back and quite tidy so that shouldnt be too much of an issue.

I'll see how it goes!
 
theDude said:
It will be odd at first for me i think, I havent been to uni yet so never stayed in halls. went straight from parents at 21 to owning a flat with my GF. I am very laid back and quite tidy so that shouldnt be too much of an issue.

I'll see how it goes!
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its not just how you behave, but also how tolerant you are at other people's habits and to be put bluntly, mess.

If you don't blown a mountain out of a mole hill (aka, fighting over a coffee cup) then you'll be fine.

Also prepared for stuff like, milk and butter going missing, beers too, and basically don't put anything out in the communal area that you will miss if it gets broken or lost.
 
Buy a small fridge for your room if you mind having you milk/butter/general food nicked.
 
In my shared house generally food isn't a problem, but problems I've had are:
Incessant, unconsideratly loud noise.
People ruining cooking equipment (tip, buy your own and keep for your own use).
Stacks and stack of dirty dishes not yours pile up, only to become mouldy.
Being inconsiderate with electricity, i.e. leaving lights computers and screens on when going out for the whole night.
Being unconsiderate with the thermostat and effectively baking you in your sleep.
Having pubes and shavings all over the bathroom, (luckily im in the ensuite so doesnt bother me).

The biggest tip I think is to get together early and establish rules/rotas... i know it sounds a bit lame, but we never did and I know it's to late now.
 
daeneth said:
In my shared house generally food isn't a problem, but problems I've had are:
Incessant, unconsideratly loud noise.
People ruining cooking equipment (tip, buy your own and keep for your own use).
Stacks and stack of dirty dishes not yours pile up, only to become mouldy.
Being inconsiderate with electricity, i.e. leaving lights computers and screens on when going out for the whole night.
Being unconsiderate with the thermostat and effectively baking you in your sleep.
Having pubes and shavings all over the bathroom, (luckily im in the ensuite so doesnt bother me).

The biggest tip I think is to get together early and establish rules/rotas... i know it sounds a bit lame, but we never did and I know it's to late now.
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Sounds like you just live with a ******.
 
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