Sharing a home can be a great choice, allowing you to share the financial burdens and potentially create long-lasting friendships. A successful house share depends on everyone living together in harmony, so what can you do to prevent problems and create a happy home for all? Read on to find out.
House rules
If there aren’t any already, create a list of house rules with which everyone who lives there agrees. These help to ensure everyone knows what is expected and provide clarity if disputes occur. The list can include aspects such as shared expenses, cleaning responsibilities, cupboard and fridge space, and visitor, noise, and privacy rules.
Roommate agreement
An agreement signed by everyone can add gravity to the house rules. This should be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure it still meets the needs of the household. It is also important for everyone to understand their tenancy rights and responsibilities. You can read more about shared homes on the Citizens Advice website.
Communication is key
Good roommates should be able to communicate with each other, sharing pet peeves or needs before misunderstandings or problems occur.
Respect each other
Respect and consideration are vital when it comes to successful house sharing. This includes everything from making sure you remove your laundry from the washing machine when the cycle has finished to not showering for an hour in the morning when you know everyone else is trying to get ready for work. It may be useful to have schedules for laundry, bathroom and kitchen activities to ensure everyone’s needs are met. This can help reduce the risk of disputes.
If you own a property as joint tenants and need help with severance of joint tenancy agreement, legal specialists such as https://www.parachutelaw.co.uk/severance-of-joint-tenancy offer expert advice.
Everyone needs their own space
Space is important in all shared houses, with taking up too much or not respecting other people’s areas potentially causing arguments. This is why it is important to consider everything from how many toiletries you leave in the bathroom to how often you and your friends take over the communal areas. Personal space is also important, meaning it is vital to respect this and ensure you don’t enter private areas unless invited; for example, you shouldn’t open someone else’s post or help yourself to something from their bedroom.