Harmony in a Shared House
We spoke to landlord Caroline May at Student Housing Scarborough about her tops tips to remember when setting up a home with fellow students, making living in a shared property a happy experience.
1.) Beware fair weather friends!
You may have been mates for years, but just because someone is a right laugh down the pub doesn’t make them a perfect housemate. Think carefully about possible personality clashes before you sign up to live with a large group.
2.) Make it a home from home
Use fairy lights, pictures, sofa throws–whatever it takes to make a shared home a happy home, rather than just a place to crash. Express yourself!
3.) Use a shared whiteboard to make communicating easily
Writing messages, making shopping lists and noting key dates on a whiteboard is a big help when you’re not always around at the same times of day.
4.) Keep a kitty for communal items
You don’t want to be running out of loo roll every other day! Keeping a kitty just for communal items like cleaning materials really helps
5.) Prepare a cleaning rota
We all have a different idea of what clean and tidy means and how important it is. Agree a rota for communal areas. Deciding this up front is the key, before mess becomes a problem.
6.) Simple signs
A closed bedroom door means privacy please and open means you’re free to enter. This is a simple solution for anyone wanting quiet time. You don’t have to be bossy to get what you want.
7.) Labelling can help
Labelling a shelf in the kitchen for each person may seem petty, but respecting other people’s property goes a long way to creating a harmonious household.
Building happy relationships in a shared household can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll get from university. You may even make friends for life.