Where and How to Find the Right Housemates for You in Your Share House/Rental

Living in a share house is a real test of character 🫠

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When finding the right housemate, it’s all about striking the crucial balance of good communication, careful screening and ensuring they can pay their fair share of bills and rent.

While it may seem like a good idea to just go with a close friend, it can be more important to go with someone that you don’t know that well, so you feel more at ease to have those slightly awkward conversations (like telling them to clean their dishes that have been sitting in the sink for three days).

Figure out your personal needs and preferences.

Do you work night shifts? Are you a party person or prefer a quiet space? Do you like having friends over? Figure out the key things that you want in your space so you can find someone that best aligns with you and your schedule. Think about your daily routine, social habits and how clean you like your space.

Establish a realistic budget for rent and shared expenditures, and make sure your potential housemates can contribute. And that you don’t have to worry about chasing them up for rent. Set out what you’re sharing in terms of payments from the beginning.

Check out your network first.

Tell your friends, work mates, and family members to spread the word that you’re looking for a housemate. It’s a great way to vet if someone would be a good fit if you hear it from someone you know and trust.

Use websites like Flatmates, FlatmateFinders, Realestate, RoomMates or even Facebook Marketplace to advertise and search for someone to live with.

You can also check out other online marketplaces like Gumtree or community groups on Facebook for listings advertising rooms for rent or people looking for rooms.

Screen everyone you meet.

Screening people essentially means asking them about their lifestyle, cleaning habits, work schedules, etc. Make sure you use the same set of questions for each person to compare their responses.

Vouching for someone new? If they have previous rental history, you can contact their previous landlord or housemates to see what they were like before.

But, above all, if something feels off or they just don’t seem like the right person – it’s completely okay to gently let them down and let them know they’re not the best person for you. Just make sure you give them plenty of time so they’re not scrambling to find somewhere else.

Set clear rules.

If you’re the kind of person who lives or dies by having a clean bathroom and tidy house – make your voice heard! Create a list of house rules outlining cleanliness, noise levels, guests, etc. Make sure everyone agrees on these rules from the get-go to prevent any nasty arguments.

Communicate openly and try your best to be patient and fair with everyone in the house. Don’t be passive aggressive and don’t be a jerk – if somethings bothering you then it’s best to tell that person straight away rather than letting it bottle up.

Hopefully by following this advice you can find someone who suits your vibe best and creates a fun and enjoyable living situation.