Finding the right housemates can make or break your shared living experience. Most people fixate on the obvious stuff – location, price, whether the bathroom is big enough – and forget that the people you’re living with deserve just as much thought as the property itself.
Whether you are moving out of your family home for the first time, or you’re a seasoned house-sharer in search of new digs, moving into a house share is one of those things where you don’t know what you don’t know. And only someone who’s been through it can really advise you.
After living with 20+ housemates, I can tell you this: without systems, a shared home is as tidy as its messiest person.
Most people aren’t expecting a show home – they just want a clean, uncluttered space that feels calm after a busy day.
One of the biggest stressors in house shares is managing house share bills. As much as everyone loves being the banker in Monopoly, the same can’t be said when it’s real hard-earned cash. Especially when it involves other people’s money too.
You’ve met your new housemates, passed the vibe check, and life feels full of possibilities.
Fast forward a few months and shared living starts to feel…a little different.
