How to get along with your flatmates

Living with others can be an incredibly fun and valuable experience, so everyone should try it at least once. After all, this could be the start of wonderful friendships and lead to the great stories you’ll tell your grandchildren about later.

But like all good things in life, it takes compromise and patience to make it work. We’ll show you twelve super rules in a flatshare and tips to avoid flatshare disputes!

• Make rules and follow them

First of all, set yourself the rules of the shared flat that every flatmate must adhere to. You have to coordinate and agree on everyday things: Cleaning, adjusting the air conditioning and heating, noise levels, meals together, allergies, and so on. The more things you can agree on, the sooner you will be able to live together peacefully.

• Learn everything about new countries and cultures

One of the best flatshare tips: If you and your flatmate come from different countries, then savor the cultural diversity with all its advantages!

There may be some cultural and language barriers at first, but just by living together you will learn so many new things – including unfamiliar food, unfamiliar music and new vocabulary.

• Get your beauty sleep

When we don’t get enough sleep, our mood, strength and performance suffer. In a perfect world, you’re all either morning people or night owls, but try to respect each other’s bedtimes and habits as much as possible.

If you’re watching a movie or listening to music late at night, just pop on a pair of headphones and everyone’s happy. Mutual consideration is one of the most important of the flatshare rules.

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• Headphones means peace

The headphones were probably invented by someone who had flatmates. You might enjoy listening to looping musicals at full volume, but that doesn’t mean your flatmate shares your passion.

In order to avoid a flatshare dispute, headphones are also recommended when listening to music. Thanks to modern technology, you can also connect them via Bluetooth and dance through your room without disturbing others.

• Respect the daily routine

Share your daily routines so it’s easier to keep schedules, meetings, and appointments. If your flatmate has an important exam to study for, it’s probably not a good idea to invite the whole floor to a dance party.

Our flatshare tips therefore also include making arrangements and informing each other. You can hang a calendar in the kitchen for when you start exams and the like.

• Allow others their private space

If your flatmate has headphones on and is staring at their phone, chances are they don’t want to talk about their day.

And don’t take it personally when he locks the door to his room – even the most sociable person needs a little space from time to time. Leaving others alone is also one of the important flatshare rules among flatmates.

• Sharing (usually) means participating

Remember that just because you share an apartment doesn’t mean you share a closet or pantry.

But if you have two cookies left, it’s always a good idea to offer one to your flatmate. (A wise person once said that sharing sweets is the first step to friendship.)

• Clean up behind you

Your mother is gone, but you still have to behave in an exemplary manner. You never know when friends, family or landlords will drop by spontaneously. After all, no one wants the reputation of a sloppy flatmate.

• Ask before bringing guests

Depending on the size of your room or apartment, there may not be enough space for guests. Always ask if you want to bring people, especially if they’re staying overnight.

If you have the opportunity, host your friends in your room and tell your guests that they should follow the shared flat rules as if they were a flatmate.

• Think of the toilet paper

Among the rules in a shared apartment, this is probably one of the golden ones. Make the world a better place and always refill the toilet paper when you have used the last sheet. Oh, and it shouldn’t always be the same person who is responsible for buying a new pack.

• Communicate honestly and openly

If you live with other people, one of the most important flatshare tips is that you have to be honest and open with each other. If it bothers you that someone leaves the dishes in the sink or the laundry on the chair – speak up!

By speaking your mind, you prevent potential flatmate fights and take yourself one step closer to becoming the best flatmate ever.

• Embrace the situation

Living with a stranger might be a bit scary at first, but there are numerous tales of flatmates from completely different backgrounds and different parts of the world who became unlikely friends after sharing an apartment (and cookies).