Sharing a flat with another person, or sometimes even a few, can prove to be difficult. There are some simple rules that should be followed from the start of your shared living arrangement.
Talk!
As simple as that may sound: you gotta talk to each other. Commutating is the only way avoid arguments. Have a welcome-to-the-house-meeting where you discuss all the necessary issues- who buys what when? When do we pay the bills? When does who clean what? What are absolute no-go’s for you?
If you have already been living together for a while and you start having some problems, sit down and have a welcome-to-the-house-meeting number 2. If you want to continue living in peace, you have to talk things out!
Be sparkling clean!
When you share a living space with another person, try to be the cleanest and neatest you could ever be. Leaving those dishes in the sink might seem like a good idea after that big dinner. BUT once the other housemates start doing the same, you might end up with a mighty big pile of dishes in the sink and none left in the cupboard. Clean as you go to avoid eating your dinner straight out of the pan!
Dishes are usually also the main issue when living with other people. Don’t turn into Monica from “Friends” and throw a tantrum about some crumbs left on the counter ;), but just make sure the house is clean.
Replace what you use/ consume!
It is Tuesday night, you’ve just come home from a seemingly never-ending shift and are absolutely starving! BUT you forgot to buy certain ingredients for dinner. You are lucky because your housemate has exactly what you need and he won’t be home for the next two days. Can you use his stuff though? Yes, if you are open about these things and as long as you replace it as soon as possible.
It is impossible not touch, accidentally use or finish someone else’s milk, butter, toast. But as long as you replace it first as soon as possible, that shouldn’t be a problem. UNLESS you finish her favourite chocolate which her mother sent her from overseas. This might be the reason for a serious housemate argument! Stay clear from anything that could have emotional attachment!
Be respectful and chat!
People’s lives are different. Maybe you are lucky enough that you only have afternoon classes and don’t need to work. But your housemate might be in a different situation. He or she might have to work late and get up early for class. Be respectful of each other and don’t play loud music late at night or invite people over for drinks at midnight.
It is also important to chat. You live together because living by yourself is too expensive. Yes. Nevertheless a friendly chat won’t kill you. Make sure you are friendly with one another and don’t ignore each other. Find out what your housemate likes and ask questions about that. This will make both of you feel more comfortable.
Pick your battles!
When you live with another person, you need to decide which fights are worth having. If your housemate finishes the roll of toilet paper and doesn’t replace it with a new one, it is not worth starting an argument. If he or she cooks dinner in the middle of the night and bangs around with pots and pans, then you can have a word with her. But otherwise, arguing over little things will just result in an awful atmosphere at home, which is something that you absolutely want to avoid.