Due to rising rent and rocketing house prices, an ever‑increasing number of us are living in shared accommodation. While there are many enjoyable aspects of living with others, it can also be frustrating, infuriating at times even, and a challenging experience. If you do find yourself living in shared accommodation, there are some things you can do to make life a little easier.
The International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring is the leading accreditation body for professional coaches. Here, their Sales and Marketing director, Dawn Ann Campbell, is sharing five ways to be a great housemate:
1. Pay you bills on time
There is nothing worse than having to ask people for money, so don’t put your fellow housemates in this position. Make sure that you pay what you owe, to whom you owe it, when you owe it. Remember that you are living with these people; so avoid causing conflict through late payments and try to keep any argument at bay.
2. Respect each other
Through your education, you are constantly taught to treat people how you would like to be treated, and this rings true when living in shared accommodation. If you don’t want someone to eat your butter, don’t eat someone else’s. The same goes for everything else ‑ don’t use their toiletries, their clothes, or their electronics if you don’t have permission. Respect works both ways and it’s important to remember that.
3. Be tidy
No one wants to live in squalor ‑ even if dirty pots and pans do not bother you, some of your housemates might not feel the same way. Living in shared accommodation means that there will be communal spaces and you need to keep them as tidy as you possibly can. Also, don’t be that person who refuses to do the bins because ‟its not your turn.” Just do them, okay!
4. Follow the rules
Honour your housemates boundaries and make sure that you play nicely. If you are living with other people, it’s best to follow the practice laid out by the four wise monkeys: hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil and do no evil. Simple.
5. Be tolerant
If you’re living in shared accommodation, you are likely to end up living with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Be tolerant of your housemates and put yourself in their shoes. No one wants to live in a house of conflict, so try to show compassion and understanding at all times.
