First Time living with a flatmate What do I need to know?

lampshadebrown

hey,

So next month I will be moving to a new place with a flat mate, we both vaguely know each other but were not close friends (yet ).

Neither of us have ever lived with somebody before, so were both newbies and not really sure what it is we need to discuss, organise and work out between us.

For example cleaning rotas etc.

So, does anybody have any advice? Anything you think of would be helpful!

Thank you!

gonzo127

first and foremost, money, are ALL bills being split 50:50? - if someone works full time and the other part time, the part time person will be using more electric and gas etc, but might not be able to afford to pay more

shopping - will you both have 'your own' food, or will you put together a joint budget - try to think that the silly things like toilet roll, can be expensive, and different people can 'accept' different quality, but you dont want two rolls on the go,

cleaning rota is a good idea, although there should be some give in it, ie if someone has made a bigger than usual mess the other should not be expected to clear it up just because its their turn.

also discus things like friends/partners coming round/staying over - best to have the discussion before it becomes a problem.

just remember things will change, so dont be totally rigid but best laying some basic understandings out first

BrassicWoman

get a cleaner.

cazs

I lived with three friends in a rented house the second year of uni. We have a kitty and out of that came money for electric - it was on a prepay meter - and the basics like bread and milk and loo roll, handwash etc. Other things we bought separately and a shelf in the fridge. We did have a cleaning rota and it used to be different people's turn each week to do a particular room in the house. Occasionally things went awry - such as people leaving the over or grill dirty or leaving washing up for ages, but generally things worked out.
That said I can't imagine living with a flatmate now over ten year's later, for most people it's great as they're very sociable, I really like living by myself in my flat. I can do whatever I want, yet of course I'm also responsible for 100% of the chores.
I guess also figure out how rent is going to be paid, i.e is it your or their responsibility and how will the 50% share be transferred etc. Also suggest taking photos on arrival in case of any later deposit issues. Best of luck.

Dill

Noise levels might be an issue.

TeamPlum

Don'the touch their milk

TBagpuss

I think sitting down and discussing your expectations and agreeing on a few ground rules are a good idea.

For instance:
- bills: aim to have some in each of your names, so that of your housemate doesn't give you their share of the bill in your name, you can off-set it against what you owe them for the bills in their name
- consider a cleaning rota for things such as cleaning common areas
- discuss things such as how frequently you will each have overnight guests, agreement on whether and in what circumstances you would give anyone a key to the property/ leave a guest alone n the house.

I'd suggest having a kitty for things like toilet roll, washing up liquid, salt, etc, and discussing whether you will each buy food separately or whether you will cook and eat together much.

Remember that you will each need to compromise on some things, at some times, and try to be open to your housemates views and preferences as well as being willing to put forward yours.

PasturesNew

Other people are very very annoying - they will do bizarre things that p155 you off that you NEVER expected!

I got up for work one morning to discover the person I was sharing with had come home drunk, puked up everywhere in the tiny bathroom and left it ... it was everywhere.... couldn't even pee until I'd driven to work!

Dill

PasturesNew wrote: »

I got up for work one morning to discover the person I was sharing with had come home drunk, puked up everywhere in the tiny bathroom and left it ... it was everywhere.... couldn't even pee until I'd driven to work!

_pale_

I hope he/she cleaned it all up!

The worst I had was a flatmate leaving her dirty saucepans on the side for days on end. Evidently she did the same in all her flats - she said the previous place she was living at had mice.

Detroit

Given the flat mate horror stories, my advice would be to draw up some quite firm social and privacy boundaries in the beginning.
Often people start by getting on really well, and share more and more of their lives, then suddenly realise the person is not as great as they thought. It's then hard to get some distance without hurt feelings.
I'd start off on a fairly formal level as you don't know the person well. You can always relax if you find they are good friend material.

I'd also pop over to the house buying selling and renting board to get some input on the legalities of your housing status, i.e., will you be joint tenants, or one lodging with the other; and what each might mean for your housing rights. Although you may know this already of course.

19lottie82

Just be respectful, keep the place tidy, don't eat FM's food, and don't move your OH in (2 nights a week is more than enough)........ Obviously rules apply to all housemates.