House Share Rules: What You Need to Know Before Moving In

Mark Barrow

Sharing a house with other young professionals can be a smart move. Rent is cheaper, bills are split, and it’s often easier to live close to the city. But things can go downhill fast without some basic house rules for house sharing.

Here’s what you and your housemates should agree on early.

1. Cleaning: Who Does What, and When

Cleaning is where most arguments start. Don’t leave it vague.

• Create a rota: Assign tasks like kitchen, bathrooms, and shared spaces.
• Define ‘clean’: Agree on standards—wiping surfaces, hoovering, deep cleaning.
• Set frequency: Decide how often tasks need doing; weekly is a good start.
• Use apps: Tools like Tody or OurHome can help keep it fair.

Resolving Cleaning Disputes

Even with the best house share rules, disagreements happen. When someone isn’t pulling their weight:

• Hold regular house meetings: Monthly check-ins prevent small issues from festering.
• Address issues early: A quick “Hey, I noticed the kitchen’s been messy lately” works better than weeks of built-up frustration.
• Consider a cleaning service: Professional cleaning of common areas every couple of weeks can eliminate most disputes and is worth the investment for household harmony. Better yet, choose a provider like Carbon Lettings that includes a professional cleaning service at no extra cost – this removes a major source of house share friction completely.

2. Guests: Set Boundaries

No one wants a surprise extra flatmate.

• Limit stays: Agree on how often guests can stay over.
• Discuss partners: Decide on rules for partners practically living there.
• Respect schedules: Avoid inviting people over late at night on weekdays unless everyone’s fine with it.

Guest Etiquette for House Shares

Beyond basic limitations, consider these additional house share rules for visitors:

• Common areas vs. bedrooms: Establish if guests should mainly stay in your room or if common areas are always available.
• Introduce guests: A quick intro helps housemates feel comfortable with strangers in their home.
• Set shower schedules: Morning routines can be disrupted when unexpected guests need to use the bathroom.
• Guest contribution: For longer stays, guests should contribute to household consumables or perhaps chip in for utilities.

3. Food: Shared or Separate?

Decide this early. It avoids tension and passive-aggressive labels on yoghurt.

• Shared meals: Plan properly if sharing meals.
• Separate food: Stick to your shelf and don’t borrow unless asked.
• Respect boundaries: Don’t eat what isn’t yours—even ‘just a bit’.

Food Sharing Systems That Work

For house shares that want to share some items:

• Common basics: Create a shared fund for staples like milk, bread, butter, oil, and spices.
• Shopping rotation: Take turns buying communal items to avoid the “I always buy the toilet paper” complaint.
• Meal prep clubs: Designate nights where one person cooks for everyone, rotating throughout the week.
• Digital tracking: Apps like Splitwise can track shared grocery expenses without the awkwardness of asking for money.

4. Noise: Keep It Down

Most people work 9–5 or shifts. Be mindful.

• Use headphones: Especially after 10pm.
• Agree on volume: Set rules for music and party noise.
• Communicate plans: Let people know in advance if you’re having guests.

Creating a Peaceful House Share Environment

Noise issues go beyond just playing music:

• Establish quiet hours: Clear times when noise should be minimal (e.g., 11pm-7am weekdays).
• Phone calls: Take lengthy calls in your room rather than shared spaces.
• Early risers vs. night owls: Accommodate different schedules with bedroom placement when possible.
• Floor noise: Rugs help in upstairs areas, especially with wooden floors.
• White noise solutions: Use fans or white noise machines if you’re a light sleeper.
• Internet bandwidth: Reliable, high-speed broadband prevents streaming conflicts and work-from-home frustrations when multiple people are online simultaneously.

5. Bills: Be Clear and On Time

No one likes chasing others for money.

• Use apps: Tools like Splitwise can track and divide costs.
• Assign a manager: Someone to oversee payments.
• Pay promptly: Late payments cause stress and fallouts.

Setting Up a Bulletproof Bill System

Effective house share rules for finances include:

• All-inclusive options: The easiest solution is finding properties where bills (including council tax and broadband) are included in the rent—eliminating the main source of housemate tension. Carbon Lettings offers exactly this arrangement, with all bills wrapped into one simple monthly payment.
• Direct debits: Set up automatic payments to the bill manager on the same day each month.
• Equal vs. usage-based: Decide if bills are split equally or proportionally (e.g., larger bedrooms pay more).
• Deposit system: Create a small household emergency fund for unexpected costs.
• Bill calendar: Keep track of when each bill is due to avoid late fees.
• Regular statements: The bill manager should provide monthly breakdowns of expenses for transparency.

6. Shared Items: Replace What You Use

Toilet paper, bin bags, washing-up liquid—if you use it, replace it.

• Take responsibility: Don’t wait for others to restock essentials.
• Avoid hoarding: Keep shared items accessible to everyone.
• Communicate needs: Let housemates know when supplies are low.

Managing Household Supplies Efficiently

Additional house share rules for consumables:

• Essentials checklist: Keep a visible list of what needs replacing.
• Bulk buying: Save money by purchasing household items in larger quantities.
• Digital shopping list: Use shared notes apps where anyone can add items as needed.
• Receipt system: Keep receipts for shared purchases for fair reimbursement.
• Monthly supply run: Schedule a regular group shopping trip for household essentials.

7. Respect Privacy and Space

You’re sharing a house, not living on top of each other.

• Knock before entering: Always respect closed doors.
• Don’t borrow without asking: Even if it seems minor.
• Give space: Recognise when someone needs alone time.

Creating Healthy Boundaries in Shared Living

Additional privacy considerations:

• Designated alone time: Some house shares establish certain evenings as “me time” in common areas.
• Storage solutions: Ensure everyone has adequate space for their belongings.
• Digital privacy: Don’t share Wi-Fi passwords with guests without checking first.
• Mail handling: Respect others’ correspondence and packages.
• Work-from-home coordination: For remote workers, establish which areas can be used for video calls.

8. Communal Events: Building a Positive Atmosphere

While boundaries are important, building community makes house sharing enjoyable:

• House dinners: Monthly shared meals can build camaraderie.
• Movie nights: Scheduled fun activities help create a positive environment.
• Respect opt-outs: Understand that participation in group activities should always be optional.
• Celebrate occasions: Acknowledge birthdays and achievements to foster a supportive atmosphere.

9. Conflict Resolution: When House Share Rules Are Broken

Even with clear house share rules, conflicts arise:

• Cooling-off period: Wait until emotions settle before addressing issues.
• Use “I” statements: “I feel frustrated when…” rather than “You always…”
• Regular check-ins: Monthly house meetings prevent small issues from growing.
• Written agreements: Document solutions to prevent revisiting the same problems.
• Mediation: If necessary, ask a neutral third party to help resolve persistent conflicts.

10. Moving Out Protocols

Establish expectations for when someone leaves:

• Notice period: Typically one month minimum (check your lease).
• Replacement responsibility: Decide who finds new housemates – the leaver or the remaining residents.
• Cleaning standards: Rooms should be left in the condition they were found.
• Deposit return timeline: Agree when and how deposits will be returned.
• Bill transfers: Ensure names are removed from utility accounts.

Smooth Transitions for New Housemates

When someone new moves in:

• Welcome pack: Create a simple document with Wi-Fi passwords, garbage collection days, and local amenities.
• House tour: Show them where everything is stored and how appliances work.
• Introduction meeting: Schedule a casual get-together to help them integrate.
• Emergency contacts: Share important numbers and the location of utilities like the fuse box and water shut-off valve.
• Local orientation: Offer to show them around the neighborhood in their first week.

Helpful tip: Properties managed by companies like Carbon Lettings typically handle most of the logistical aspects of moving in and out, from contracts to inventory checks, allowing you to focus on the interpersonal elements of welcoming new housemates.

Setting clear house share rules from the start makes things easier. It doesn’t have to be formal—a quick group chat and a shared document is often enough. The key is communication and respect.

Many experienced house-sharers recommend revisiting your house share rules quarterly to ensure they’re still working for everyone. As circumstances change, so might your household needs.

Looking for a house share that already runs smoothly? Carbon Lettings specialises in high-end house shares for young professionals who know how to live together, well. Our fully-furnished properties offer a hassle-free living experience with everything you need already in place, and we carefully match housemates to ensure compatibility. This takes much of the guesswork out of establishing basic house rules for house sharing and lets you focus on building a positive home environment instead.