If you share a home with other people then it is in all your interests that you are good housemates. This goes beyond friendship, and is really about how you live together and have respect for each other. The best of friends do not always make good housemates. In fact sharing a home with friends can really test your friendship.
These 5 tips will go a long way to making you a great housemate, and to make your home a harmonious place to live in:
1. Talk And Agree The Ground Rules
A common mistake that people make when they share a home is that they don’t talk to each other enough. You need to have a lengthy discussion at the outset, and agree some ground rules. Things like visitors, cleaning up, taking out the rubbish, privacy and other issues need to be tackled.
If you don’t do this then it is likely that there will be trouble ahead. Take the lead here, and do not wait for the other person to initiate this conversation. Agree that once the ground rules have been established, they need to be monitored to make sure that all parties are sticking to them. Tact is required here, so try to make the discussion a pleasant and productive experience for both of you.
2. Show Respect To Those That You Share With
If one of your housemates is sick in bed, then is it really a good idea to play that rock album at full tilt? Would you want that to happen if you were sick? Probably not. If the people that you live with work different hours to you, then show consideration and try not to disturb them when they are sleeping.
Self evaluation is an important factor here. If you think that what you are doing could be irritating for others then you are probably right. Use headphones to listen to loud music. Rowdy visitors should only be invited after agreement with your housemates.
3. Try Not To Use Other People’s Stuff
It is inevitable that at some point you will use something that belongs to another housemate. They will also do it to you. When it happens, just replace whatever it is that you have used. For food items you can label your stuff and tell the others to do the same. This should reduce the chances of any mishaps. If you break something that doesn’t belong to you, then replace this as well.
4. Just Clean Up
Very few people like living in a dirty home, so don’t leave your dirty clothes all over the place. If you have cooked something for yourself, and the kitchen looks like a bomb has just hit it, then wash those dishes afterwards. Set a good example and others will follow. You do not want to live in the mess that other people make, so don’t impose your mess on them either.
5. Money Is The Root Of Most Problems
Nothing causes more arguments in shared homes than money. You will have to pay your share of the rent and other bills, so do this promptly. Manage your money properly, and always have the money ready for your living expenses. If you do find yourself short, then avoid the temptation to ask other housemates to help you out. Similarly don’t lend money to other housemates. Borrowing from housemates or lending to them will create unnecessary tension.
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