thieving flatmates

spandangled

top_drawer wrote: »

I am registered on spareroom but all my houseshares seem to go the same way and I'm getting sick of having to keep moving.

If you're serious about moving, look for a houseshare with just one other person. That's the only kind of flatshare I had that worked. It becomes obvious who is using what, doing what around the flat and I think it puts a little bit of pressure...possibly guilt on someone to do their share.

Having said that, I was just lucky I moved in with someone who liked to clean the bathroom and cook me breakfast on a sunday!

kr15snw

One of my mates has house shared (not a student house) for the last 2 years with a complete and utter GIT. He pinches all of her stuff then denies it, he stinks, he letches over her etc etc etc.

The only thing in the house that is his is his stupidly big posh tv in the front room which he spends ALL day watching, as he 'cant get a job'. She still hasnt worked out how hes paying the rent...

She has now got a new place with some friends and is moving out and has decided as he has ruined her life shes getting revenge. Now she cant damage the TV so thought shed have some fun.

She changed the fuse in the plug for a much lower amp one (think she said it was a 3amp) meaning the second he turns the TV on it blows. Now hes not very bright. But after a few days he rang her and asked why the TV wouldnt work, he said he even changed the fuse but it still didnt work! So she asked what he changed the fuse to and he explained as there was a 3 amp fuse in there before he put another one in, and another, and another and another....

She told him she had no idea and no suggestions.

She popped over last week to pick up the last of her furniture leaving him with an armchair and his TV. 3 weeks on it still doesnt work and he cant work out why, plus knows no one who can fix it and cant afford to hire a professional.

Shes very very happy

top_drawer_2

GlasweJen wrote: »

Oh I found a way to stop people nicking my food. I prepped my lunch in front of the one stealing once, spat in the tuna mayo and returned it to the fridge licking my cheese when i was in there, none of my food went missing ever again.

LOL but that would make it pretty awful for me to eat then! but I guess they wont know if I just don't....

Jen

blue_haddock

I can go one worse than spitting in the mayo - get a male friend to knock one off into a jar of mayo

TDQO

blue_haddock wrote: »

I can go one worse than spitting in the mayo - get a male friend to knock one off into a jar of mayo

Now that's hilarious! I'm assuming you didn't use it after??? :rotfl:

justruth

Hi well having lived in house shares on and off for nearly 10 years I have found that notes cause arguments, but a simple introdution when you meet your prospective housemates will serve you well. It's about coming accross as confident and straight up, making it clear that you aren't really up for having your stuff taken.

My usual introduction includes a large pack of loo roll and the information that while I am not into carrying my loo roll with me everytime I use the toilet, I do expect some in there when I go to the bathroom and I am willing to put in my share, if I find that doesn't work I guess I'll have to take it with me each time. I have not had to do this. I supply my own crockery and my own washing up liquid, and I will wash up pots and pans once, either before or after I eat, but once only. If you run out of milk/food etc, then there is a 24 hour shop just up the road.

That said due to the working hours I now have and the fact that the couple with the room right next to the kitchen have a baby, I have brought a small fridge and kettle for my room as I don't want to be banging about at 4am and disturbing them. Still I kept my food in the fridge and freezer downstairs and no one uses it.

Ultimately Jen you seem a little affraid of the potential conflict. I would suggest that by talking one on one and just saying that you were disappointed that the tuna mayo you made was eaten, and that really you would prefer it if other people didn't borrow your food and in return you wouldn't borrow theirs, that doesn't have to be confrontational. I think from reading your posts you don't tend to speak up so they carry on, probably knowing that it's a bit out of order but thinking that you wont say anything.

Doing things to the food would be marginally amusing but at the end of the day you are all meant to be adults. If you speak to the offending parties in a polite manner and just say that you are not really happy with them using your food and stuff and would prefer it if they stopped doing so, then they show themselves up by being chldish about it. If it continues you say it again this time say look, I have asked you to stop, I would really appreciate it if you could stop using my food, I simply cannot afford to keep feeding you and myself. If she comes back with the 'oh for goodness sakes it was just a bit of milk' then say well next time perhaps you can make sure you have enough milk in since you know I don't like you using my stuff. I cannot afford it.

Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself, and just be an adult about it. The mature approach is a little more respectful, and leaves less room for hard feeling when you are making a reasonable request.

jenniewb

Don't know if anyone has suggested this, but I used to share a house with 12 others.

If anything is there you don't want stolen, simply write a note saying "I have spat in this" (you don't actually have to do so btw!) does wonders. Along with once every so often leaving evidence you have done so in something you are unlikely to be eating, really blatently.

Though if your living together, a little "chat" is always important, not talking about stuff can build and build and become worse then it needs to.

stee01

I have two solutions, which would depend on whether i like said person or not.

1) The good old spiking the food and waiting for them to eat it. Sensibly, you can't put things like cream cleaner etc in it, because if you were going to do that you may as well put in bleach as your more than likely going to seriously harm them. Laxative is fine and other not so safe, but not so harmful products. Of course whilst there on the loo as a result of the laxative is the best time to slip a not under the door "politely" reminding them to not use your food. This has the added guarantee of them not using your food again (unless they are a complete retard, then increase dosage).

2) For a week or so, wait for you food to run out and buy 1 microwave meal when you return from work/uni and eat it when you get in everyday. Its expensive, but for a short time, and then of course they will have to by their own food (which you can choose whether to eat or not).

Number 1 is more than likely more effective, but if in no 2 they notice that you are starting to eat their own food, maybe they will learn to have a little respect for other peoples possessions.


Of course if you live with complete d***heads, like i did last year, who regularly wake you up early in the morning (which would be nice if i was working) with !!!! music, you have to go to other extremes. for instance waiting for things to go mouldy and either swapping it with their food, or mixing it in with their food.

Whatever floats your boat.

Oldernotwiser

Lokolo wrote: »

This is devastating, everyone has been thinking I'm female!!!!

ONW - you're male right?

No, what made you think that?

Aspiring

Lokolo wrote: »

This is devastating, everyone has been thinking I'm female!!!!

ONW - you're male right?

:rotfl:

I don't feel silly for thinking you were female now