How to be a great housemate at uni 🏡
Moving into shared accommodation is a big part of starting uni. You might be living with people you’ve never met before, with different routines, habits and ideas about what counts as “clean”.
You might all click straight away, or it might take a little time to figure each other out. Either way, a bit of communication and consideration goes a long way.
Our tips for happy house sharing
Clean up after yourself. You don’t need to keep everything spotless, but leaving washing up, rubbish or mess for someone else is an easy way to cause frustration.
Ask before borrowing. Don’t assume food, toiletries or kitchen equipment are there for everyone to use. If it isn’t yours, ask first.
Be mindful of noise. Your housemates might have different schedules to you, so keep each other in mind when you’re playing music, having people over or coming home late.
Replace what you finish. If you use the last of something shared, whether that’s toilet roll, washing-up liquid or milk, don’t leave the next person to discover it.
Respect shared spaces. Kitchens, bathrooms and living areas belong to everyone. Try to leave them in a state you’d be happy to find them.
Talk about problems early. Small annoyances can quickly become bigger ones if nobody says anything. If something is bothering you, have a calm conversation rather than letting it build up.
Agree the basics together. It can help to have an early chat about cleaning, bins, guests, noise and anything you’re planning to share. Expectations work much better when everyone agrees on them.
Remember: different doesn’t mean wrong
Living with other people means adapting. Your housemates might cook different food, keep different hours or have different habits to you.
You don’t have to become best friends with everyone you live with, but being respectful, communicating clearly and being willing to compromise can make sharing a home much easier.
If things aren’t working
If you’re having an issue with your accommodation, including problems in halls or something that needs reporting, the best place to start is NTU’s Accommodation services. You’ll find information about living in halls, reporting problems and the support available to you.
If your living situation is affecting your wellbeing or you’re struggling with something more generally, NTSU can also help with welfare issues and point you towards the right support.
Thinking about next year already?
There’s no need to rush into choosing who you’ll live with or signing for your next house. Take your time, get to know people properly and make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to before making any decisions.
Keep an eye out for NTSU’s Housing Fair on Monday 9th November, where you’ll be able to meet housing providers and find useful information for your next move.
