Sharing a student house can be one of the best parts of university life. There is usually someone around for a chat, to share a takeaway or go on a last-minute night out.
Living together is not always effortless, though. Different routines, habits and expectations can quickly turn small annoyances into bigger disagreements. Nobody wants a household meeting about a missing block of cheese, but these things happen.
A few simple ground rules and some honest communication can make your house share a happier place for everyone and we’re here to share them.
Make sure there is space for everyone
Your bedroom is your own space, but kitchens, living rooms and other communal areas belong to the whole household. Everyone should have enough room to store their belongings and enjoy the shared spaces comfortably.
Agree on how cupboards, fridge shelves and freezer space will be divided so that each housemate has a fair share. Keep personal belongings from taking over worktops, sofas and dining areas, and return communal spaces to a usable state after cooking, studying or having friends over.
A little consideration goes a long way. Sharing the available space fairly helps everyone feel at home, and prevents one person’s collection of mugs, pans or trainers from becoming part of the furniture.
Create a cleaning rota people will actually follow
A cleaning rota only works if it is realistic. Assigning someone to “deep-clean the entire house every Tuesday” is unlikely to end well, especially during deadlines and exam season.
Instead, divide the essential jobs into manageable tasks, such as:
- Wiping down the kitchen
- Cleaning the bathroom
- Vacuuming communal areas
- Taking out the rubbish and recycling
- Buying shared cleaning supplies
Rotate the jobs weekly so that one person does not always get stuck cleaning the bathroom. Put the rota somewhere visible or add it to your house group chat.
Respect different schedules
Not everyone follows the same timetable. One housemate may have 9am lectures, another might work evening shifts and someone else may do their best studying at midnight.
You do not need to live in complete silence, but it is considerate to keep noise down when other people are sleeping, studying or attending an online seminar. Headphones, quietly closing doors and giving the group advance warning about visitors can make a big difference.
Respect works both ways, so be open about your own schedule while listening to what your housemates need.
Set ground rules around shared food
Some tenants in house shares happily share milk, bread, condiments and cooking basics. Others prefer to keep everything separate. Both arrangements can work, the problems begin when nobody communicates what they are willing to share.
Decide what, if anything, will be communal and respect your house mates desires when it comes to this.
If an item is not communal, ask before using it. Communication is the key to a happy house share.
Talk about visitors and overnight guests
Your house share is your home, but it is also home to everyone you share with. Friends, partners and family members will naturally visit, although frequent or unexpected guests can make communal areas feel crowded.
Agree on a few basic expectations. These might include giving the group notice before someone stays overnight, being mindful of noise and ensuring guests respect shared spaces.
You don’t need to enact a complicated booking system for your own living room. It is simply to make sure everyone feels comfortable and knows who is in the house.
Deal with the bins before they become a crisis
There is always a brief stage when everyone can see that the bin is full, yet each person hopes somebody else will take it out. Do not let this continue until balancing one more teabag on top becomes a game of Jenga.
Find out which bins are used for general waste and recycling, where they need to be placed and when they are collected. Add collection day to the house calendar or group chat, and include the bins in your cleaning rota.
Taking them out regularly helps prevent unpleasant smells, pests and the dreaded overflowing-bin debate.
Raise small issues before they become arguments
If something is bothering you, address it early and calmly. Leaving passive-aggressive notes or posting vague messages in the group chat rarely solves the problem. Speak to the person involved directly and focus on the issue rather than making it personal.
Choose a sensible time for the conversation rather than raising it when somebody is rushing out of the house or when you are already angry. Most minor disagreements are easier to resolve when everyone feels listened to.
Report maintenance problems promptly
Reporting maintenance issues promptly is so important because it can prevent a small problem from becoming a larger and more disruptive one.
At Address Properties we ask our tenants to report any maintenance issues as soon as they notice something wrong using our online maintenance portal. Give a clear description, explain where the problem is and include photographs or a video where helpful. If the issue is urgent or could affect anyone’s safety, make that clear when reporting it.
If you rent with Address Properties, our team is here to help throughout your tenancy. Reporting a problem promptly gives us the opportunity to assess it and arrange the appropriate next steps as quickly as possible.
Housemates should also tell each other when an issue has been reported. This prevents several people from reporting the same fault, or everyone assuming somebody else has already done it.
Good communication makes everything easier
You do not need a rulebook for every possible situation. Most challenges in a shared house can be handled with consideration, compromise and a straightforward conversation.
A house group chat is useful for reminders, but occasional face-to-face conversations are important too. A quick household check-in can help you discuss cleaning, visitors or anything else before frustration builds.
Living with other people involves adjusting some of your habits, but it should also be enjoyable. Respect each other’s space.
Address Properties are here to assist you throughout your tenancy, or to help you find a house share in Liverpool, check out our available properties.