Finding a flatmate
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Are you looking for a housemate? n2k has tips on how to find a good person.
Newcomer alert
A good way to meet new people is to move into a house that already has people living in it.
They'll probably have their own ground rules in place, which can be a good thing if you don't like thrashing out rules and regulations, but a bad thing if you like a bit of control in the household. Ask them what the rules are, for example:-
- Do people share the price of groceries or buy food separately?
- Do guests come over often?
- Does anyone in the house drink or smoke?
- Is there a cleaning rota?
Remember, never say ‘yes’ to the first house you see – even if the housemates seem nice. Always look at a few houses before making a decision.
Group thing
Moving in with a large, already established group can be a risk but it can also be a lot of fun. Be open and honest from the start and they will hopefully do the same so that you can make the right decision.
If you're the quiet type who likes to study in the evening, moving in with ten all singing, all dancing party animals might not be the best idea.
Large groups of people might also be messy, so if you're a clean freak you might have to chill out and grit your teeth if you really rate the room.
Keep an eye out
When you're looking around a house that already has a group living there, take a friend with you so that you have another pair of eyes scanning the place for potential problems.
Pay close attention to the rest of the group and see how they get on with each other. Are there any tensions they might be hiding? How do the house mates talk to you – are they friendly, chatty, do they seem truly interested in you? Trust your instincts!
Is the house clean? If they didn’t bother to clean the house knowing you were going to visit, then it says a lot about them.
You might want to ask them why the room has become available. It could be that their flatmate just wanted a change of scene, but might also be because they're a nightmare to live with. Also, make sure you speak to all the housemates in the potential house. There might be one person that you can just tell would make your life a misery!
Just the two of us
If you want to live with fewer people, a good idea might be to find a friend who’s also looking for a flat. You already know what they’re like and some of their habits too, so it’ll save you from having to get to know someone else.
However, it’s important to be clear about what both of you want and don't want. Agreeing to move into somewhere that you're not keen on but your friend loves isn't a good idea; you might end up hating it and resenting their choice. Discussing things and reaching compromises before you move in together is a good start to the flat sharing experience. You’ll probably have to discuss loads more things once you move in too!
Uni help
Some universities hold events that are specifically aimed at students who are looking for people to live with. Most of the people who come to these events are people who failed to get halls or decided to go to university at the last minute.
Don’t be shy to approach and talk to people there. Everyone is in the same position and looking for that perfect housemate too.
