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Rent is increasing, being on your own is lonely or you just want to have more space that you can’t afford on your own. Why not think about living with someone else? Whatever your reason for considering living with others are, sharing your home can have its challenges. Lamudi gives five top tips on how to share your home with others.
Establish ground rules
There are certain things that have the possibility to become a point of contention when house sharing, such as music volume, number of guests, and buying household items like toilet roll. By putting rules in place from the beginning, there is a greater chance of harmony in the house. If you are going to buy products communally, ensure that there is a kitty in place to collect money from each resident, so that each person pays an equal share of the upkeep.
Share the cleaning
When you are living with someone else you want to have a neat and orderly home. Unfortunately the term clean can be interpreted differently; therefore, before moving in with someone else you should be clear on how tolerant you are when it comes to mess. To ensure that everyone is equally involved in the cleaning process, you can set up a rota, to include each room in the house, as well as everyday tasks such as washing up.
Be respectful
Respect the people that you are living with and make sure that you are aware of how your actions can affect the household. For example, ensure that your belongings are not left all around the house, particularly in communal rooms. Furthermore, don’t borrow or use anyone else’s belongings without asking for permission first. If your housemate would like to be alone in their room, respect their privacy by giving them some space.
Prevent traffic
It is early in the morning, everyone is tired and needs to spend time in the most important room in your home – the bathroom. The amount of time needed differs for each individual, depending on their daily routine. Therefore, to prevent any traffic in the morning, try to cater to everyone’s needs and deadlines by creating a morning schedule.
Be honest
A lack of communication can be the source of animosity among housemates. A monthly meeting gives everyone the opportunity to discuss what is on their mind, addressing any issues within the household. This gives each housemate the chance to raise any problems with utilities, rental costs, cleaning or general behaviour in the house. By talking about these issues straight away, there is less chance for them to develop into bigger problems.
