If you have started university, living with roommates can be both exciting and challenging. Here are some tips to make your shared space feel like home.

Cleaning Shared Areas
Starting with the basics.  Shared responsibilities. Housework can be a drag but it’s much easier if everyone chips in. This doesn’t have to mean strict guidelines though. A popular way to manage chores is by setting up a rota. Before you dive into rota-making, have a chat with your housemates. Find out how often you think each chore needs doing. Your housemates may also have a preference for certain chores. Below are some examples of the frequency of chores:

Examples of daily tasks:

• Washing up dishes after meals
• Putting away dishes that are dry
• Tidying shoes and coats

Examples of weekly tasks:

• Emptying bins and taking out the recycling
• Hoovering shared spaces
• Quick clean of the bathroom

Examples of monthly or fortnightly cleaning tasks:

• Mopping floors with disinfectant
• Getting rid of cobwebs
• Doing a deeper clean of the bathroom and living area

While a rota is great for shared spaces, it’s also important to remember that some chores are personal and shouldn’t be on the rota. For instance, washing up after you’ve cooked or eaten is definitely a ‘you’ job, not something to palm off on your housemates.

 

Bill Management
On to the next point of tension for students – bills. Not all bills are included with accommodation, so it’s best to have a chat with your roommates and figure out how you’re going to split this fairly.

Monthly Bills
If your accommodation doesn’t include bills in the rent, it is important to have a conversation with your roommates about how you’re going to pay. The last thing you want is someone forgetting to pay, leaving everyone short on essentials like water and gas.

There are two main ways to manage bills:

• Traditional Approach: One person handles the bills, and everyone transfers their share to them. However, this can be risky if someone forgets to pay, as the person in charge might end up covering the shortfall.
• Student Bill-Splitting Packages: These allow you to combine all your bills. Gas, water, internet, and energy all into one monthly statement. It’s then split among your roommates. The best part is everyone is responsible for their own payments. This means no one is left holding the bag if someone forgets to pay.

Resource: Check out providers like Monzo or The Student Energy Group for easy bill management.

Household Essentials

Whilst household essentials are less scary than big monthly bills, they are still just as important. This includes bits like food, drinks, cleaning supplies, toilet roll, and bin bags. There are few ways to split them:

• Splitting the Shopping Bill: This can work, but it depends on usage. For example, if one person drinks more milk, it might be fairer to pay proportionately. Personal items like toothpaste shouldn’t be included.
• Using a Kitty: A kitty is a pot of money that everyone contributes to for communal items. It’s simple – everyone chips in a set amount each month, and the kitty is used for essentials. Adjust contributions as needed based on usage.

Socialising and Respecting Downtime
Getting to know your roommates can be such a fun experience. Whether it’s sharing stories about your courses, bonding over a Netflix binge, or discovering you both love the same band. Little things like cooking together or grabbing a quick coffee can turn strangers into friends. If you’re struggling to break the ice, here are a few ideas:

• Arranging a meal together – Who doesn’t love a Pizza Hut?
• Keep your door open (literally) – It’s an easy way to show you’re up for a chat.
• Hangout in shared areas – Don’t isolate yourself in your room
• Creating a group chat – Great for organising hangouts and sending updates.
• Go food shopping together – It’s a fun way to learn about each other’s tastes.
• Arrange a takeaway and movie night – Easy, fun, and affordable.
• Ask your roommates to come out to the pub with you – A casual setting can help everyone relax.

The Student Room website has loads of tips on balancing socialising and study time as it’s a forum of previous and current students.

Having Fun
This might be the simplest tip of all – have fun! There will be some rules or changes you will need to compromise on, such as going to sleep a little later or taking on different responsibilities. However, this is part of the formative experience. You will be learning new things about yourself everyday. Who knows you may even come out of this with a lifelong friend.