- Make sure you pay your share of the rent and bills on time so you don’t have other flatmates chasing you or having to cover your rent. If you move out before the end of the tenancy continue paying your rent or get your room reassigned.
- Set up a household agreement. There is a template for you to fill out on our website here.
- Clean up your own mess and share the load of cleaning the flat, don’t leave all the house responsibilities to your other flatmates. Creating a chore wheel is an easy way to keep track of whose job is what each week.
- Treat your flatmates the way you want to be treated, that means respecting your mates’ space, quiet time and property, being considerate when inviting guests over and asking before you borrow things – that includes food!
- Communicate honestly about any issues ASAP to ensure things don’t spiral out of control – flat meetings can be a good way to work through issues and refer back to your household agreement. Ensure you don’t gossip about others in your flat – you live in close proximity, and those walls are probably thinner than you think, speak openly with those you live with don’t give the silent treatment, be passive-aggressive, yell or be violent towards your flatties. If you have any flatmate issues come up that you want to talk through come and see one of our friendly advocates at OUSA Student Support – we’ve seen and heard it all!
- Check in on flatmates whose behaviour has changed dramatically or that you are worried about. Chat to OUSA Student Support about how to best support other flatmates.
- Tell your flatmates if you are planning on moving out before the end of your tenancy and whether you are looking at reassigning your room or will continue paying rent – ensure you also let your landlord know of any changes to your situation.
- Most importantly, have fun!