Rules for living with new flatmates?

Question

hi im moving to london soon to a flatshare with a couple of others. except from keeping tidy and not too noisy is there any other advice you would give for flatsharing?

Answer 1

1. Don't have s*x with your flatmates.

2. Come to a consensus on how many days a boyfriend/girlfriend can stay consecutively.  Otherwise, s.o.'s can "move in" and take up washer/dryer space, kitchen space, etc.  

3. Try to agree on a "no dirty dishes" rule--everyone washes up immediately following eating.  You'll avoid sink pileups.

4. If you establish a joint account with your flatmates and pay the common bills out of it--rent, utilities, etc.--it makes life easier.  Everyone deposits the same amount into the account once a month.  Someone has to be the treasurer, but with online banking it's not a huge hassle.

5. Figure out cleaning duties.  You can either rotate--each week a new person cleans the entire place--or divide up the areas.  Divvying works better.  One person slices up the household into three areas and lets the other two people choose what they want first.  Tip: bathroom areas are usually chosen last, so if you make that a standalone (no other areas to clean), you may encourage that choice.  But don't count on it.  

6. Don't have "common" food.  Everyone buys their own.  Divide up the refrigerator space very, very clearly--each person gets one shelf, etc.  

7. Don't have s*x with your flatmate's s.o.'s, exes, or relatives.  

Good luck!

Answer 2

make sure it is clear in the beginning how the bills (utilities, food, etc.) will be divided up.  That is a must!  You might also decided how you will take turns cleaning the common areas that you all share.