Tips on how to choose the right share house for you

Share houses are a rite of passage for many in their early twenties. The romance of a group of friends making it in the big city holds appeal for students and young professionals. But when you’re choosing a share house to live in, these are the things you should be taking into consideration.

Do you know someone in the share house?

With the rise of subletting and Facebook groups such as Fairy Floss Real Estate, it can be easier than ever to secure a room in the inner city. And while a new start with new people can be a refreshing change, it’s good to know at least one person in the home into which you’re moving.

This person can show you the ropes, such as where to put your food and how to work their weird washing machine. Having a friend at the ready can be a huge relief.

Have a few meetings before making your decision

Rather than jumping head first into a new situation, take the time to see the house and meet all the occupants. The meetings can be casual, often a dinner, but they are a good way to check out the housemate dynamics.

Be mindful that the housemates are also using this as an opportunity to interview you, so make sure you are clear and upfront with what you are looking for in a house.

Ask the right questions

The interview is also a really good opportunity to ask questions and prioritise the things that you would expect from living in the house. For example, if you like communal spaces to be neat and tidy, ask whether the house has a cleaning roster and if they budget for cleaning costs.

If you are not into having a house that doubles as a nightclub on weekends, make sure that you ask whether people often have friends over.

Being honest and upfront means you’ll find a house in which you can be yourself.

Be honest about any red flags

Sometimes, the location can be perfect, the people are great, but there is black mould growing all along the splashback, and no one wants to fix it. Or, you love the room, but the person next door is an insomniac who watches Netflix at full volume all night.

Red flags can crop up about anything, so remember to listen to your gut. You can save yourself a lot of time, energy and money by heeding the red flags when you see them.

The housemates

Last but not least, the people you live with can be one of the most important factors when choosing a share house. Good signs include a shared understanding of what it means to live in the house and a completely honest and productive chat about what everyone can expect.

People with whom you can laugh, can be yourself around and who don’t pass judgement are the best kind of housemates. The type of people who can snap a pic of you eating a kebab in bed at 2am but also know to leave you alone when you stomp in grumpy from work at 5:30pm.

Your share house can be the start of an incredible journey, but make sure you are giving it the thought it deserves.