We don’t always get to choose our roommates which is why sharing a home with someone else is not always an easy and trouble-free experience. In fact, even if you are good friends with your housemate, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will be blissfully living together. Not everyone will have the same habits or lifestyle choices, so flexibility is key (or at least one of the keys on the keychain). If you want to stay on good terms with your flatmate, you need to learn to stand up for yourself and to:
- Speak up if you are not happy about your arrangement
- Not to let your housemate take advantage of you and your kindness
- Avoid regularly borrowing money from your roomie
- Do all the housework alone
Set boundaries early on, so both of you know what’s expected. Nevertheless, you should also try and be a good roommate yourself. Only then will your arrangement work. Mutual respect is crucial for maintaining a harmonious living situation. Otherwise, you may find yourself looking for a competent man and van in London and packing your items days after you have moved in together.
Respect Quiet Hours
One of the most common types of complaints that people have about their housemates is related to noise. It is crucial to respect each other’s space by being mindful of noise levels, especially during study or work hours. Try to establish quiet hours that suit both of you, especially if one is an early riser and the other a night owl. If you like your music loud and you enjoy partying, you have a few options – either to tone things down a bit or to arrange something like a schedule. For example, if your flatmate needs to study in the evenings or get up early for work in the morning, blast your music or invite your friends over only on weekends when that won’t be much of a problem for the other person or people in the home. Or, simply wear headphones to keep things peaceful. Avoid passive-aggressive behavior when dealing with noise issues; direct and transparent communication is key to maintaining a harmonious living environment.
Respect Personal Boundaries
Even if you are very close to your roommate, do not go through their stuff or use your roommate’s belongings without telling them. Everyone needs their own space to relax and feel comfortable. Give them some room and don’t grill them with numerous questions about their personal life from Day 1. If you want to borrow something from them, you first need to ask. Respect their personal boundaries, and they’ll respect yours.
Be Responsible for Paying Bills On Time
Money can get tight sometimes, which is ok, but if you struggle to pay your rent on time every single month or you always find yourself borrowing money from your flatmate, you should probably think about moving to a smaller apartment or find a place that has cheaper rent, after all you don’t want to be a burden to your friends. If you fail to pay your share of utility bills, it can quickly cause tension, so always communicate openly about finances, including paying bills promptly.
To avoid conflicts, it’s also crucial to have a roommate agreement that outlines financial responsibilities and expectations.
Keep Things Tidy
Avoid making a mess, especially in the common rooms and areas such as the bathroom and the kitchen. Dirty dishes left in the sink for days can be a quick way to sour a living situation. Remember that your roommate is not your mom and that you are not a school student. Therefore, don’t expect them to clean after you, wash your dishes or iron your clothes. If you want the other person to be organised and neat, serve as an example.
Create a simple chores schedule to avoid arguments about who’s responsible for what. This helps keep things balanced and prevents resentment over sharing responsibilities. No one wants to be the person cleaning up someone else’s mess all the time.
Communicate Openly
If you don’t want to make compromises such as having a few odd décor pieces in the house or following a facilities schedule, you should probably live on your own. The reality of sharing a home with another individual (no matter whether it is a flatmate, a friend, a relative, etc.) is that you need to be flexible. Finding a middle ground is essential for maintaining harmony and mutual respect within shared living environments. Well, there are certain things with which you should never compromise such as storage space, paying rent, doing household chores and noise.
Don’t forget that having a roommate is a compromise situation after all. Good communication is key to avoiding potential conflicts and preventing misunderstandings. Presuming that you don’t have a home of your own or you can’t afford to live alone which is why you have decided to compromise and postpone living your dream life for now and to instead move in with a stranger to save some money by sharing a house or a flat. A good rule of thumb: talk openly and communicate honestly about your needs and expectations.