Living in a shared house can be a great experience for you. That is, if you find a way to live in harmony with your house mates. We’ve all heard of stories which have had house share tension and fights. After all, it’s a big change from living with your family who you know and who know you. If you want to avoid mishaps and arguments, follow these 10 steps. They’re sure to help but we can’t guarantee there won’t be a few pots and pans flying.
If you do your own little bit, then you have a right to expect your flat mates to do the same. We are all busy in our lives but you should make time to clean up after yourself. But if you find that you are late some morning and don’t have time to clean your cereal bowl, make sure you clean it that evening. A dish should not me left in a sink unclean for any longer than 24 hours. That’s just plain dirty.
Communication is key. Whether it’s on Facebook or WhatsApp, be sure to make a group where everyone in your house can communicate. This will make things a whole lot easier. Want to have a couple of friend’s over for pre-drinks? Ask your flat mates in the group chat is it okay first. The group chat should be used regularly as a common place where you all can message each other about stuff regarding the house. Doing so will show respect to the other housemates.
This is probably the biggest issue shared houses face. Everyone has his or her own definition of what is clean and what is dirty. So chances are your housemates might have a different tolerance level to messes than you do. People who have just moved out of home are more likely to not clean up after themselves because they previously had someone doing it for them (Mammy in most cases).
The bottom line is that no one should clean someone else’s mess; it’s just not fair. Make sure you clean up places like the kitchen and the bathroom if you are sharing it. If you notice there’s a mess that hasn’t yet been cleaned, politely tell whoever made it to clean it up when they can. If they don’t then you should clean up and drop it into their room as a gentle reminder that you’re not to be messed with.
It’s great to create a cleaning system with your flat mates. Agree on a schedule that suits everyone. After you all agree on what chores to do, write up a timetable and hang it in the kitchen where everyone can see it. Sort out who does the vacuuming, mopping, sweeping and taking out the bins on certain days. That way, your place will look much cleaner and lower the risk of tension building.
Some of us like to go out almost every night and party while others prefer to stay in. If you love to go out, make sure you are quiet when you come back in the early hours of the morning. It’s disrespectful to wake up your flat mates late at night to the sound of you banging doors.
It’s crucial that you bond with the people you live with. Why not have one night a week where you all do something together? Whether it’s going out or ordering in, it should become a traditional thing where you all spend time together. This way you can become more understanding of them and vice versa.
This is a tricky subject, especially if you are sharing a room. If you want your friend, boyfriend or girlfriend to sleepover, ask your room mate a day in advance is this okay. Give them a day and they may organise to sleep somewhere else. But beware this should be rarely done as it’s not fair to expect your room mate to just move out for the night whenever you want. You are both paying for a room, it’s just not fair. Your room mate should also keep this in mind too. This maay sound odd but with less affordable places to stay this could become a reality for more and more people.
Buy a utility box or toiletries bag in so that your products are not just sprawled all over the bathroom. Keep your bedroom clean if you are buying storage boxes. Make sure to throw away anything you don’t use. Don’t be greedy with space in the fridge and make sure your flat mates have their own space too to put their food.
Don’t just steal your flat mate’s items. Don’t just assume they will be okay with it. It’s common decency to politely ask for things before taking anything. If you break anything belonging to your flat mate, replace it as soon as possible. Also, try and share if your flat mates ask to borrow something of yours. Just make sure they give it back in one peace.
This is vital. It’s highly likely that you will have disagreements with your flat mates. Try to find a common ground and don’t let things get nasty. Be willing to sort out any arguments. No one likes a tense atmosphere in their own house. If one of your flat mates is being sassy with you, don’t retaliate. Try and stay level headed and if you feel angry, go for a walk and take some time out of the house to calm down.
House shares are tough but if you treat your housemates the same as you would like to be treated then things should run a lot smoother. Follow these 10 simple steps and you are sure to find house share harmony.
Life and style writer. Lover of spicebags and other Irish cuisine. Fashion enthusiast.
Comments are closed.
Living in a shared house can be a great experience for you. That is, if you find a way to live in harmony with your house mates. We’ve all heard of stories which have had house share tension and fights. After all, it’s a big change from living with your family who you know and who know you. If you want to avoid mishaps and arguments, follow these 10 steps. They’re sure to help but we can’t guarantee there won’t be a few pots and pans flying.
If you do your own little bit, then you have a right to expect your flat mates to do the same. We are all busy in our lives but you should make time to clean up after yourself. But if you find that you are late some morning and don’t have time to clean your cereal bowl, make sure you clean it that evening. A dish should not me left in a sink unclean for any longer than 24 hours. That’s just plain dirty.
Communication is key. Whether it’s on Facebook or WhatsApp, be sure to make a group where everyone in your house can communicate. This will make things a whole lot easier. Want to have a couple of friend’s over for pre-drinks? Ask your flat mates in the group chat is it okay first. The group chat should be used regularly as a common place where you all can message each other about stuff regarding the house. Doing so will show respect to the other housemates.
This is probably the biggest issue shared houses face. Everyone has his or her own definition of what is clean and what is dirty. So chances are your housemates might have a different tolerance level to messes than you do. People who have just moved out of home are more likely to not clean up after themselves because they previously had someone doing it for them (Mammy in most cases).
The bottom line is that no one should clean someone else’s mess; it’s just not fair. Make sure you clean up places like the kitchen and the bathroom if you are sharing it. If you notice there’s a mess that hasn’t yet been cleaned, politely tell whoever made it to clean it up when they can. If they don’t then you should clean up and drop it into their room as a gentle reminder that you’re not to be messed with.
It’s great to create a cleaning system with your flat mates. Agree on a schedule that suits everyone. After you all agree on what chores to do, write up a timetable and hang it in the kitchen where everyone can see it. Sort out who does the vacuuming, mopping, sweeping and taking out the bins on certain days. That way, your place will look much cleaner and lower the risk of tension building.
Some of us like to go out almost every night and party while others prefer to stay in. If you love to go out, make sure you are quiet when you come back in the early hours of the morning. It’s disrespectful to wake up your flat mates late at night to the sound of you banging doors.
It’s crucial that you bond with the people you live with. Why not have one night a week where you all do something together? Whether it’s going out or ordering in, it should become a traditional thing where you all spend time together. This way you can become more understanding of them and vice versa.
This is a tricky subject, especially if you are sharing a room. If you want your friend, boyfriend or girlfriend to sleepover, ask your room mate a day in advance is this okay. Give them a day and they may organise to sleep somewhere else. But beware this should be rarely done as it’s not fair to expect your room mate to just move out for the night whenever you want. You are both paying for a room, it’s just not fair. Your room mate should also keep this in mind too. This maay sound odd but with less affordable places to stay this could become a reality for more and more people.
Buy a utility box or toiletries bag in so that your products are not just sprawled all over the bathroom. Keep your bedroom clean if you are buying storage boxes. Make sure to throw away anything you don’t use. Don’t be greedy with space in the fridge and make sure your flat mates have their own space too to put their food.
Don’t just steal your flat mate’s items. Don’t just assume they will be okay with it. It’s common decency to politely ask for things before taking anything. If you break anything belonging to your flat mate, replace it as soon as possible. Also, try and share if your flat mates ask to borrow something of yours. Just make sure they give it back in one peace.
This is vital. It’s highly likely that you will have disagreements with your flat mates. Try to find a common ground and don’t let things get nasty. Be willing to sort out any arguments. No one likes a tense atmosphere in their own house. If one of your flat mates is being sassy with you, don’t retaliate. Try and stay level headed and if you feel angry, go for a walk and take some time out of the house to calm down.
House shares are tough but if you treat your housemates the same as you would like to be treated then things should run a lot smoother. Follow these 10 simple steps and you are sure to find house share harmony.
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Life and style writer. Lover of spicebags and other Irish cuisine. Fashion enthusiast.
Comments are closed.