How Not to Be That Housemate: Tips for Uni Living Legends

Ah, house-sharing. That sweet rite of passage where you bond with a bunch of new friends/strangers over who’s left their dishes in the sink again and whether it’s acceptable to hoover during a hangover. Whether you’re heading into your first uni house or just upgrading from halls, being a great housemate from day one isn’t just about avoiding passive-aggressive Post-its. It’s about turning that student crib into an actual home. Let’s level you up faster than your Airfryer can crisp a hash brown.

1. First Impressions Count—So Don’t Frighten the Houseplants

Moving in? Say hi. Smile. Offer biscuits (bonus points for Jammie Dodgers). You don’t need to invent a personality overnight, but don’t hole up in your room like Gollum guarding your starter pack of instant noodles either. Your new housemates are probably just as nervous. A bit of small talk in the kitchen can go a long way—unless they’ve got headphones in and are clearly on a 9am Zoom tutorial. Then maybe leave the chat for later.

Pro Tip:

Set up a group chat early on—WhatsApp, Messenger, etc. It makes things like sorting bins and low-level memes way easier.

2. Clean Freak or Mould Collector? Pick a Side Early On

Let’s be real, student houses aren’t known for being temples of hygiene. But if there’s one thing that triggers beef quicker than taking someone’s milk, it’s kitchen drama. Agree on a cleaning rota early. No one likes making spreadsheets, but it’s better than passive-aggressively cleaning around someone’s crusty saucepan for six months.

3. Respect the Shared Spaces (Yes, That Includes the Fridge)

Writing your name on stuff in the fridge doesn’t make you a control freak, it means you get to keep your pesto to yourself. Seriously, just label things if you don’t want them sampled. More importantly, don’t be that person who borrows a bit of cheese ‘just this once’ and slowly becomes the Weekly Dairy Heist.

Also, nobody wants to walk into the lounge to find your socks, six cups and yesterday’s hangover nap in full display. If you’ve turned the living room into your bedroom annex, it’s time to reassess.

4. Communicate Like a Real-Life Human

If someone’s being a bit annoying (think 3am guitar solos or hosting a games night mid-dissertation week), don’t bottle it up until you explode during bin day negotiations. Be chill, be direct, be honest. Most people don’t even realise they’re doing something irritating until it’s pointed out, even if your friendship bracelet starts to twitch every time they microwave tuna.

Try saying:

“Hey, just a heads up, the noise last night made it a bit tricky to sleep, mind keeping it down after midnight?” Better than stewing silently while rage-scrolling Rightmove.

5. Money Talk: It’s Not Awks, It’s Essential

Nobody wants to be the one chasing for the gas bill payment like a soft-spoken bailiff. Budgeting as a house means being honest about what everyone can afford and setting up systems that make paying rent and bills easier than remembering your Turnitin password.

Try this:

• Use apps like Splitwise to track shared expenses
• Make a shared Google Doc or spreadsheet with due dates for rent and bills
• Nominate one person for utilities admin (bribe with snacks if necessary)

6. Be the MVP

Bringing home doughnuts to share. Lending a phone charger. Helping someone fix their Wi-Fi. These are the little wins that win you housemate Hall of Fame status. You don’t need to become the social secretary overnight (unless you want to organise a themed Come Dine With Me, in which case yes mate), but being thoughtful does count.

7. Boundaries Are Hot Right Now

The best housemates? They know when to vibe and when to vanish. Everyone needs downtime, and if someone’s door is closed or headphones are in, respect the peace. You’ll all get on way better if you can read the room, especially when someone’s two coffees deep into a revision spiral and looks like they haven’t seen natural light in six days.

8. Don’t Wait Until It’s Awkward

Conflict? Totally normal. Hell hath no fury like a student scorned over unwashed dishes or a missing Deliveroo. But the key is dealing with it like an adult (or at least pretending to be one). Chat it out before it festers. If things really pop off, speak to your agent or housing provider if you need mediation, we’re on your side! Purple Frog offers our tenants heaps of support when the group chat isn’t cutting it.

Looking for your next house? We’ve got your back with loads of student properties in Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham and more.

Final Word: Don’t Just Survive – THRIVE

Being a great housemate doesn’t require magic. Just a bit of effort, some basic hygiene, and not being the person who always ‘forgets’ to buy toilet roll. Uni life is chaotic, brilliant and occasionally bin-flavoured. The people you live with could end up being lifelong mates, or at least someone you actually want to see at your own graduation.