House sharing is becoming increasingly popular as more people realize that it can be a cost-effective way to enjoy the benefits of home ownership.
What is Shared Accommodation?
The term ‘shared accommodation’ is used to describe accommodation where two or more people lives and share kitchens, bathrooms and other specific things but don’t share bedroom. Shared accommodation is any type of rented property which may or may not also be available for private use by the tenant or other persons present in the building.
What is HMO Style Accommodation
HMO style accommodation is usually found in student housing and often provides shared kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms. Often, HMO style properties have an entrance hall with keys and swipe cards for access to all of the flats within a block of buildings and communal areas such as laundry rooms, kitchens and lounges.
This type of arrangement makes it easier for people who want to live on their own while they study.
Things to keep in mind when living in a shared accommodation
Some basic, common sense things to remember when living with others to ensure a healthy living situation. There are ways to live in harmony with your roommates, if you follow some basic rules. Living in a shared apartment can be fun as well as a nightmare, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before moving in.
1. Be Courteous
When you are living in a shared accommodation or HMO style accommodation, you need to be courteous. You should try your best to be respectful towards the other people who live in the flat and try not to cause any trouble. You should also be polite and friendly towards them as well.
2. Be Honest
As a tenant, you need to be honest when you are living in a shared accommodation or HMO style accommodation. This is because you are sharing the property with other people and they may not know all the rules of the house.
3. Be Considerate
You may be living in a shared house or apartment, but that does not mean you can’t have personal space. You need to be considerate when you are living in a shared accommodation or HMO style accommodation.
Remember that other people live there too. You do not have to share your bathroom with anyone else, but it is polite to leave it tidy and well-maintained. It is also polite to sweep up after yourself and tidy up after any guests you may have brought home.
4. Be Clean
You need to be clean when you are living in a shared accommodation .It is also important to keep your shared apartment clean, so that people who may move into it later on feel at ease. You can use bleach, disinfectant and other cleaners to keep the place clean and sanitary.
5. Check Your Tenancy Contract
You should check your tenancy contract when you are living in a shared accommodation or HMO style accommodation. This is because it will tell you exactly what the rules and regulations are for the property, as well as how much notice you need to give before moving out or being evicted.
6. Don’t Be a Slob
When you are living in a shared accommodation or HMO style accommodation, you don’t want to be a slob. A slob is someone who has no respect for their roommates and guests.
This can cause problems with your roommates and guests, as well as with the management company that manages the building. This can also lead to bad things happening like having your deposit withheld or being evicted.
7. Learn to Compromise with Your Roommates
You are in a shared accommodation, and you have to learn to compromise. Living with roommates is difficult, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Living with roommates can be a lot of fun and the best way to meet new people.
8. Keep the Kitchen Clean
Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink after washing them, especially if they have leftovers, which can cause mold and mildew to form on them over time.
9. Define the Rules of Eating
When you are moving in to a shared accommodation, it is important that you treat the apartment as you would your own home. This means you should ensure that you follow the rules of eating other people’s food before you move in.
10. Keep the Noise Level Down
Don’t make noise when you’re cooking or cleaning your room before going to bed. That can disturb your roommate and ruin their sleep as well.
11. Equally Share the Responsibility
In a shared accommodation or HMO style accommodation, you and your other flat mates are equally responsible for the upkeep of the property.
12. Try to be as Tidy as Possible
If you want to keep a clean apartment, it is best that everyone takes care of cleaning their own stuffs themselves as well as keeping their room neat and tidy at all times. This way everyone can enjoy a comfortable environment that is free from dirt and bacteria which could cause health problems for all those who live in the apartment building.
13. Reporting any Problems Immediately
If you notice something wrong with the apartment, don’t hesitate to report it right away. You may want to ask your landlord or other roommates if they have any suggestions on how to solve the problem.
14. Try to Avoid Arguments
Arguments are not only a sign of bad communication but also a source of stress for both parties. When you live in a shared apartment, it is important to be considerate of other people’s feelings and needs.
15. Communicate in a Mature Fashion
When you are living in a shared apartment, communication is key to getting along with your roommates. Communicating in a mature fashion is especially important when you are trying to resolve conflicts and disagreements.
Summing up:
Whether you are living in shared accommodation as a short or long-term arrangement, consider the following when sharing space with other people. Be reasonable and patient with other people’s needs and preferences, curb your use of shared spaces for messy or noisy tasks, and get to know the specifics of individual agreements between housemates rather than relying on a general assumption of what is considered acceptable.
