Sharing a home with housemates can be wonderful. If you are living with a friend, you can hang out all of the time. Even if you don’t know your housemate you may end up bonding with them. Who knows you could become the best of friends!
However, while living with a housemate can be a wonderful experience it can also be trying at times. In addition to sharing memories, you also end up sharing your living space as well. If someone doesn’t clean or parties too much it can quickly lead to problems. So, we’ve gathered suggestions on how to avoid 3 of the most common causes of arguments between housemates. That way you can prevent them before they occur.
Cleaning
Cleaning is high on the list when it comes to sources of tension between housemates. One housemate is often far cleaner than the others. Then when the others don’t meet the same cleaning standards, arguments arise. It is far better to make a pre-emptive plan than end up fighting.
Making a plan doesn’t have to be complex either. There are two very simple ways to ensure that you avoid an issue altogether. You can put a cleaning schedule together or hire a domestic cleaner.
Creating a cleaning schedule will help to keep all of you on the ball when it comes time to clean up. To make a simple schedule, print out a blank calendar sheet, write in the dates, tasks and the person assigned to that task. Then, when a task is completed it can be checked off so everyone knows it is finished.
If you foresee that you and your housemates will inevitably struggle to establish a harmonious cleaning schedule, hire a domestic cleaner. Having a domestic cleaner show up once a week will make a huge difference in the cleanliness of the house. Plus, it will remove a huge stressor, allowing you and your housemates to cohabitate more easily.
Are you unsure where to find a domestic cleaner near you? Let Bidvine help connect you with trusted, local professionals in your area and before you know it, your house will be spic and span.
Food
Food in your fridge can create another potential source of tension in the house. If your housemate takes your food or you take some of your housemate’s food tensions are bound to rise. Neither of you may even realise that the food belongs to the other.When you both buy the same products it is all too easy to get things mixed up.
To sidestep this potential problem, divide the fridge into different portions. Take the time to decide on which shelves each of you will keep your food products on. Then, you can even add a label to these shelves or designated areas to act as a friendly reminder. While this might seem over the top at first, this planning could save you both from arguing about stolen food later on.
Partying
When you and your housemates have different approaches to social time it can quickly cause arguments. For instance, while you might enjoy having friends over on the weekends your housemate may want to invite friends over throughout the week, or vice-versa. While having friends over can be fun for everyone, if someone needs to study or rest after working, quiet time is essential.
So, before you or your housemates begin to pre-plan house parties for the entire year sit down with each other and set out some ground rules. If you or they know that at certain times throughout the week quiet will be needed, write this down on a central calendar. That way everyone knows not to plan social functions on those particular days.