House-share Survival

Being in a band you have to get used to living with people in minimal space, so we asked the likes of Kyte and My American Heart for their advice on not falling out with your housemates...

Four Year Strong
"I still live at home. Doing the dishes keeps mom happy, try that."

Kyte
"I think we all got pretty lucky with the housemates we’ve met through university. I never really saw any big fall outs or arguments. I think people do need their own space in student houses - if someone’s door is shut it's probably a sign that they don’t fancy going to see the Vengaboys, or pub golf, or Bodger & Badger getting pelted with potato until the bouncers have to step in."

Love Ends Disaster!
Matthew: "Set up a shared bank account with everyone to pay the bills from, don’t use your own. It’s amazing how even your closest friends will turn into thieving bastards when money is involved. I’m not bitter or anything... honest."

Lowgold
"Go gay. a simple reach-around will instantly diffuse any petty argument."

My American Heart
Jesse: "Dirty dishes in the sink that aren't mine is my biggest pet peeve. Also piss on the toilet seat kills me."
Larry: "I don't have any tips cause I am a victim of this. LOL!"

Passenger
"Try to not move in with idiots."

Post War Years
"We all share a house at the moment. Just try to remember that not everything is meant as a personal insult."

Rogue Wave
Zach: "If your housemate has pets, don't eat them. It is never ok to urinate on or near your housemate's pillow (without asking first). Snoring is divine, smothering is heavenly. Naked Sunday morning flapjacks? Yes."

The Chiara L's
Emma: "Be nice and don't let mould grow in your mate's best saucepan."
JLH: "Make sure you are 100% sure about them and know the people well before you move in with them, I was in a 6 person house with friends, but only had 4 rooms filled come moving day because 2 people backed out at the last minute. We had to fill them or face a rent hike - we had a plethora of random people coming and going who were not prepared for the personalities of the house or the lifestyles we led at the time."
Chiara: "Hate to state the obvious, but respect personal space, pay your share of the bills and buy the bog roll once in a while."

The Envy Corps
"Require a two-drink minimum upon entering any shared living space."

The King Blues
"Seek like-minded people. There are three types of houses - party houses, living houses and studying houses. A clash can be disasterous!"

Tom Baxter
"Do your own washing up and be prepared to do other people’s washing up. Be tidy because, hopefully, then others will follow. (But it does depend on the others too.)"

Winona
"Don’t leave passive aggressive post-it notes, Generosity is better than pettiness in house sharing scenarios. Don’t let tension build up if someone has wound you up tell them - cowardice is not cool. Communication is key."

Yoav
"Cleanliness, don’t write songs loudly at 3am, and don’t hit on their girl/boyfriend when they leave the room."