Shared housing isn’t exactly something new and is actually quite common in the country. With rent prices on the rise in major cities, a number of people are looking at shared housing as an alternative to the unaffordable housing options out there. Aside from the costs, another reason for choosing sharing housing is for the sake of convenience. However, it’s not always easy living in a shared house. Things can get quite uncomfortable and awkward with your housemates, especially if you’re living with people you don’t know. It’s best to come up with a set of rules, so things are kept under control. Here are a few of our tips on how to survive life in a shared house:
1. Share Responsibilities
No one likes to live in a pigsty, right? If you’re going to live with people, it’s best to be a good housemate. Work with your housemates on sharing house cleaning responsibilities, so you all help keep things tidy. On top of that, we recommend that you all set aside a certain amount of days you’re going to clean the entire house. After all, sharing is caring.
2. Talk About Your Needs and Preferences
It’s pretty easy to be misunderstood when you don’t know your housemates well. It’s always good to talk about what you need and what you don’t. If you like your privacy or can’t stand having loads of people in the house all the time, then it’s best to lay these things out on the table. This way, your housemates will know what to expect from you.
3. Discuss Room Sharing
When you’re sharing a house, it’s not unusual to have to share a room with a housemate. If you’re comfortable sharing a room with your housemates, make sure you’ve spoken about the sleeping arrangements. It’s important to discuss your sleeping style and habits. Also, it’s good to discuss how the room will be used. For example, will you all share it for general use, or is it private for one person only?
4. Make Time For Each Other
If you’re living with housemates, it’s really important to make time to just chat with them once in a while. There are times when your housemates will want to speak with you without the need to be prompted about it. So, if you see your housemates, make time to talk to them. This way, you’ll get to know your housemates better and make things less awkward between you.
5. Have the Food Talk
Another common problem in shared houses is the topic of sharing food. Whether you’re sharing food or not, it’s crucial to have a discussion about it with your housemates. If you are sharing food with your housemates, it’s best to be a little considerate and lend a hand during dinner time. Also, you might have to consider what you’re about to eat depending on the other people in the house. It’s not unusual for food preferences to clash, so it’s best to make sure everyone’s okay with the food that’s being served.
6. Respect Agreements
If you’ve negotiated house rules with your housemates, it’s best to stick to them. Remember, whatever you’re going to do in the house, you’ve to respect the other people in there. If you and your housemates have agreed to share certain household duties, make sure you do them. If something’s not up to par, it’s best to talk to your housemates and work things out.
Conclusion
Living with a group of people is quite an undertaking and takes a lot of effort. However, it’s not impossible if you work together as a team. Just remember to be considerate, respect your housemates’ needs, and have the right mindset.
Learning how to live with others and respecting their needs and personalities can help you understand the different people around you. Glendale House supports this idea by providing affordable housing for special needs populations. We take an inter-disciplinary approach to our management as well as a team approach to our service offerings. Experience shared housing services like no other with Glendale House. Feel free to reach out to us today!