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If you require help using this site,
email Sue or call her on:
0871 566 0156
TestimonialI couldn't even imagine the good luck I had when choosing a user from this service. It is the best flatshare experience I've ever had! I will always refer flatsharers to you.
Andy, London
TestimonialThank you for the opportunity.....again!! I like your site very much.
If I need to move again I will be back to reactivate! I recommend this site to everyone!
Thanks again!
Jeffrey, Birmingham
TestimonialI found a great match through your service. thanks to you, I now live in a wonderful home in a nice part of London. I am so thankful this service exists.
E. Prince, London
TestimonialI not only found a home, I made a great mate from using this site! I'm always going to recommend the lettings mall!
Matt, Southampton
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We have come up with a number of articles which we believe are
relevant to everyone who is renting property or letting out property.
The articles below deal with the various issues which may occur at any
time in the course of a tenancy agreement between two parties and serve
as an advice point of reference for you.
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You should read the
relevant articles prior to signing a tenancy agreement and during the
course of your tenancy, you are welcome to come back to this page at
any time as we are constantly updating our information on the property
market. |
Renting Advice
Flat share Advice
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Preparing your apartment to let - Don't
get personal. Stick to neutral colours that will go with anything. For
example, a red sofa might not match a green carpet. However, all
colours look good on beige.
- Stick to a common theme on all your properties, e.g. magnolia walls, white ceiling, white six panel doors etc.
- Carpets
- light beige looks great when clean. Light colours make rooms look
lighter, brighter and bigger. They also encourage cleanliness and are
easy to justify cleaning when a tenant vacates. Look for felt backed
bleach cleanable carpets which cost around £5.99 per metre and do not
require underlay. Replace carpets every 3-5 years and get carpets
cleaned every time a tenant moves out. You could consider recovering
the cost from the tenant's damage deposit.
If letting yourself: Join your local Landlords' Association. - This
is the easiest way to keep up with legislation and to obtain advice on
getting your paperwork right (tenancy agreements and notices etc.).
- Other landlords
in your area will be keen to share good and bad experiences. Learn from
their experiences rather than making your own mistakes.
Documentation - Obtain
full details including names, addresses and contact numbers of referees
and emergency contacts. Also obtain previous addresses, employer
details and proof of earnings. This makes it easier to track down
absconding tenants.
- Fill in an application form at the prospective tenant's home in order to see how they look after it.
Fees - Charge a fee to tenants of around £100 for completion of tenancy agreements, referencing, inventory etc.
- If letting out a room in a flat share you do not need to charge a fee.
Deposit - Take
2-4 weeks rent plus one month's rent monthly in advance. Tenants often
cancel standing orders on the month prior to final payment - if this
happens you still have some money to cover damages.
Inventory - Prepare
an inventory - include everything stating the colour, condition of
walls, ceilings, doors, fixtures & fittings etc, and get it signed
so you can prove damages when the tenant vacates. The more detail, the
better. Even include the colour of light switches and door handles and
what they are made of. Comments like "carpets have just been
professionally cleaned" or "walls are freshly painted" will also help
to prevent disputes on checkout.
- Ensure that you arrange a
checkout inspection and make sure the tenant is present - get them to
sign confirming any damages and/or required repairs.
- Complete utility meter checks and ensure the incoming/vacating tenant signs to confirm meter readings.
- Inform the utilities companies and local authorities in writing of incoming/outgoing tenants and any applicable meter readings.
Look after your tenants - Happy tenants will respect your property and will refer other potential tenants to you.
- Remember, it's the little things that make a big difference - birthday cards, fast responses to problems, etc.
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If you are a tenant faced with renting for the first time, or searching for a short-term property to rent,
our renting guide gives a host of helpful hints and tips on how to rent
property, especially if you're after a house, apartment, studio flat or
a room.
Decide on your requirements
Before you begin the process of finding a suitable house or flat to
rent, give as much consideration to your requirements as you would if
you were buying. After all, the property will be your home for the next
six months, twelve months or even longer. Be clear about the kind of
property you're looking for, where you want to live, what amenities you
need to be close to and the budget you have available.
Houses
and flats to rent are generally on and off the market more quickly than
properties for sale, so you'll need to move quickly and be ready to
pounce when the right property arrives on the market. Some
considerations might include:
* Location
* Flat, house, studio, room
* Length of tenancy period
* Furnished or unfurnished
* Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, reception rooms
* Off-street parking
* Garden
Your budget
Set yourself a manageable budget and stick to it. Letting agents market
rental properties either by stating the weekly rental price or the
monthly rental price. Be aware that a £400 a week rental price does not
mean a cost of £1,600 a month. Multiply the weekly rent by 4.33 to get
your monthly rental costs. Try not to be tempted (or let your agent
tempt you) into looking at properties beyond what you can comfortably
afford.
Search for property to rent at thelettingsmall now
and look at the local prices, both to make sure that your budget is
sensible and to get an understanding of what your budget is likely to
achieve in the current market.
In addition to your rental costs, you'll also need to budget for other related expenses. These might include:
- Your
own house contents insurance :- You will need to arrange this yourself
for all your personal belongings inside the property
- Council tax:- The tenant is often responsible for paying this, so ask for an estimated cost from the agent or landlord
- Utility
bills:- You will be expected to take on most of these bills (sometimes
water bills are paid by the landlord) from the day you move in
- Service
charges:- If the property is in a block of flats or is a serviced
apartment, there may be a service charge to pay, so clarify with your
agent or landlord whether it's included in the rent or an additional
charge
- Deposit:- Typically the value of a month's rent
- Removal costs:- Budget for the cost of hiring a removal company.
Location
There are plenty of factors to consider when thinking about the
location of a property. It is important that you prioritise what's most
important to you in terms of location before starting the search, as
this will save time in the long run.
For example, how
important are the local amenities to you, the commute distance to work,
accessibility to restaurants and bars, access to public transport,
closeness to friends or relatives, crime rates, neighbours, etc.? All
of these things will vary in importance, but it pays to prioritise
them, and any other factors that may be relevant, to help you determine
your ideal location and to make your search as efficient as possible.
For more information on particular locations you may already have in mind, why not search for a suitable property?
Other rental considerations
There are plenty of options for those looking for property to rent in
terms of the types of accommodation available, but much will depend on
your personal circumstances and your lifestage. The types of property
might include:
- A house or flat with a sole tenancy :- A person or family are the only tenants in the property
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A house or flatshare :- A person or couple may rent a room in a
property also occupied by other tenants, or a group of friends may
share occupancy and split the rent between them
- Studio flats :- Usually a single room containing bathroom, kitchen and bed
- Lodging :- Renting a room from a private property owner who also resides in the property
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Purpose built rental accommodation :- Often student accommodation with
individual lockable bedrooms and communal kitchen and bathroom
facilities.
Many rental properties will be listed as
being furnished or unfurnished, while in some cases the landlord may be
flexible about letting you decide which option you prefer. While a
furnished property may take away the hassle of having to buy lots of
new furniture, damaging the existing landlord's furniture or fittings
may increase the risk of your deposit being swallowed up.
Searching for property to rent
Once you have a firm idea of what you're looking for and where, it's
time to start searching for the right rental property for you. These
days, searching for rental properties has never been easier and there
are plenty of ways to track down the one for you.
Searching online
A rental site is the best place to search for hundreds of thousands of properties all over the country and abroad.
There are many advantages of searching online for property to rent, including:
- Convenience :- Search amongst the properties of thousands of agents, all in one place
- Greater choice :- Search by price, number of bedrooms, location, or by keywords
- Access to photos and floorplans :- Get detailed information on each individual property
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Getting e-mail alerts :- Register with the lettings mall and get free
e-mails alerts about suitable properties to rent as soon as they come
to market
- Managing saved properties :- You can save and
manage relevant properties to rent that you find on the site in your
personal area of the lettings mall
- Finding the letting
agents with the best properties :- A great place to start finding
lettings agents to register with. Search for letting agents in your
area now
- Saving time :- By searching for property to
rent online, you can save time by discarding properties you don't want
to view and quickly finding those you do want to view.
Other ways of searching
In addition to the Internet, there are a number of other ways you can search for property. These might include:
-
Local newspapers and classified sections :- A useful source for
finding properties, but be aware that by the time many papers are
printed, some properties may have already have been let
-
Letting agents :- Walk into your local estate agent offices and ask for
details of relevant houses and flats which you can look through at your
leisure. It's a good indicator of whether the agent has on their books
a decent number of properties to rent that match your criteria
- 'To
Let' boards in your area :- Drive around your designated areas and
have a look at any 'To Let' boards that are up and make a note of which
agents they are with
- Property search agents :- You can
always hire a firm to find relevant properties to rent for you, arrange
viewings for you and give you advice on securing your property for you.
If you're looking to rent, read a renter's guide - advice for tenants for more information.
Letting agents
Registering your details with letting agents is one of the more common
ways to source a property. You can either visit the local agents on the
high street or you can find a Here are a few tips to remember when
dealing with letting agents:
- Make sure the agents you
deal with are members of ARLA (Association of Residential Letting
Agents) as they have a code of practice all agents must adhere to
-
It pays to contact as many letting agents as you can find in your local
area to give you the best chance of finding properties to rent
-
Keep in touch with agents regularly by telephone, as rental properties
tend to come and go quite quickly, particularly in a fast-moving market
- persistence pays!
Costs
Be
aware, once you've found a rental property, letting agents will charge
you a fee to handle administrative work, such as checking references.
These administrative costs can range from £25 to £150 or more,
depending on the agent, the property and the location. In addition,
they may also ask for a holding deposit of £50 to £200 or more to
secure the property for you, and will subsequently deduct it from your
first month's rent. Try and establish these costs with the agents in
advance of your search as they may vary.
Viewing properties to rent
Before you begin the task of viewing a property, make sure you clarify
with the agent that the house or flat meets your requirements so you
don't waste any time. While you're viewing an unsuitable property, you
may be missing out on the one that's right for you.
Take a
look at our rental property viewing checklist for everything you need
to know about what to look out for in a rental property and questions
to ask the agent or landlord.
Making a complaint
Very occasionally, things can go wrong. If you have a complaint about
the conduct of an agent, you can contact the Ombudsman for Estate
Agents (OEA). The OEA provides an independent service for dealing with
a dispute between member estate agents and consumers who are actual or
potential buyers or sellers of residential property in the UK.
The OEA will advise on alternative routes to take if the estate agent
you wish to complain about is not a member. You can also contact the
local Council's trading standards department. |
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You
will find agents of varying skills, regardless of the real estate
company. Some agents view their work as a job while others are real
enterprising people looking for the next opportunity. The most
essential thing when you choose a real estate agent is to ask questions
and pay close attention to the answers provided.
One example
of what you should consider when hiring a real estate agent is the
amount of commission charged. Currently, the average commission is 6%
but some agents will offer less, depending on the situation. Never be
afraid to ask for less than 6% but respect if they disagree. You should
tell the agent what you want from the experience, which might include a
lower commission rate.
Remember, when creating a contract with
the agent, you want everything to have a positive spin on it for you.
We recommend that when an agreement is made with an agent, you should
include a timeframe after which you would have the right to review the
situation and then stay with the agent or choose someone different.
You are the customer and you have the right to know exactly the things for which your money is paying.
Without,
the process of buying and/or selling a home can be highly stressful. To
make things more easy, make sure the legal advisor is competent in real
estate. Moreover, the internet offers a wealth of information regarding
legal requirements for real estate so you could do all your own
research.
You will also need the assistance of a mortgage
lender. Again, a good real estate agent could provide several
possibilities, knowing from experience which ones have the most
versatile loans and lowest interest rates.
Finally, before you
start looking for a real estate agent, remind yourself that you are the
customer. The real estate agent you choose will be making thousands of
dollars for handling your property purchase or sale so you need someone
who is dedicated and willing to work hard to really make positive
things happen. As a part of his or her job, you should be informed
regularly but you also have the right to ask for a status report.
In today's economy and real estate market, the real estate agent you hire needs to maximize buying or selling potential.
Oliver
Wingrove is a real estate investor based in Boston. He is a former
estate agent and writes widely about issues related to real estate and
finance. He is an expert in establishing online house buying companies both in the US and UK.
About the Author
Freelance writer. We are committed to provide free helpful information about the real estate market.
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Planning
the layout for a busy office is a stressful yet rewarding task. Whether
you're a team leader co-ordinating members of staff or an office
planner looking to find the best way to set out the space for optimal
staff diligence, it can be taxing to work out exactly where to start in
order to receive the highest efficiency.
There are plenty of ways to plan your office's layout to achieve best
results, however. You could arrange this to keep individual teams
together or attempt to mix people up to enhance interactivity between
staff who otherwise would have no reason to talk - which can be great
for boosting company morale.
There are important things to remember, however, when planning your
office - such as ensuring everybody has enough space to move and that
there is a very clear path to the fire exit. Even ensuring that the
first aid kit is clearly visible and indicating who the office first
aiders are is easily overlooked, but an important part of a successful
office plan.
If you're grouping people in teams, consider whether you'd like to have
staff members work face to face, beside one another or facing walls.
The latter may help to increase productivity as it reduces distraction,
but many office workers also find it a drain on their moods as walls
are not especially pleasant to look at. Face to face and side by side
arrangements increase staff interactivity, which many staff members
find useful both for enjoying the office environment and enhancing
relationships with their colleagues.
You may find that arranging desks so workers are completely mixed up
will work better if they do not need to interact frequently with their
team, as it gives people a chance to meet each other and can also
ensure that the most industrious attitude is adopted. However, it is
often better to arrange seating by department.
Consider where you want to place each department. Does it interact with
others, in which case it's best to place them close by? Or is it an
autonomous department that functions entirely by itself, in which case
it doesn't really matter what other team it's beside?
What sort of seating arrangement best suits your company's personality?
Cubicles or an open floor? Many workers prefer being able to see around
the office, but individual cubicles can help them focus. These should
only be implemented, however, if you have the room.
Planning out desk arrangements in a commercial property
can certainly be both tough and rewarding, but when the moment comes
that everything gels, you'll be glad you spent the time on it.
About the Author
Jonathan Wallace writes
for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a
client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but
should be considered professional content.
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Moving into a new home? Where
ever you are moving, this can be a hectic time for every one involved.
There are so many details that can easily be overlooked. Organization
is the key to making it an easier process.
With that in mind, here is a helpful checklist of items you will need to remember before, during and after the move. Before the MoveAddress Change - Leave a forwarding address to your old landlord
- Alternatively set up a Post Office redirection
- Change all Credit Card and bank account address details
- Change magazine subscription address details
Utility Companies - Arrange
to close accounts with telephone, gas, electric, cable tv, and internet
companies or transfer your account to the new address.
- Get refunds on any deposits made.
Insurance - Notify Company of new location for coverages including auto, life, health and home insurance.
Medical Records - Ask
Doctors and Dentist for referrals in your new town, Obtain medical
records. Transfer your prescritions, X-Rays, eyeglasses info.
- Register with a new GP and dentist.
Schools
- Find out the school your children will be attending and ensure you have the necessary records transferred to the new school.
Automobile - Ensure the DVLA is notified of the new address for the keeper of your vehicle.
- Ensure the DVLA is notified of the new address for your drivers license.
Pets - Inquire about regulations, tags, vaccinations, licenses, etc.
Things You don't want to Forget....... Empty petrol from the lawn mower, and any other petrol powered tools that will be shipped with the moving company. Defrost the freezer and clean the refrigerator. Clean rugs before moving and have them rolled up and wrapped in plastic so they arrive clean. Label the boxes that you will need to open right away when you get to your new house. Check with your moving company about: - Insurance coverage
- Arrival day, time and where they meet you
- Packing and unpacking labor
- Time and method of payment (most movers won't unload your things until they are paid in full).
- A phone number where they can reach you any time
- Shipping papers that need to be signed
- Make sure you car is serviced before the trip, if you are driving
- Care arrangements for infants or pets during the move
Things to do on Moving DayTake a local phone directory with you for the new town. Personally carry valuables, jewelry and personal documents with you Make hotel reservations if you are traveling for more than one day or if you have to wait for the movers to arrive. Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover the cost of expenses until you arrange for new banking services in the new city. Inform a friend or relative of your schedule and travel route. Check closets, cupboards, and drawers one last time to make sure that you are not leaving any items behind. Leave the old keys with the new owner or real estate agent or a neighbour. Make sure you have keys to the new house, or have arranged to get them when you get to your new home.
At the New AddressArrange for someone to be at the new home when the moving van arrives. Check the condition of all items, furniture, etc. before you sign the moving receipt. Find out how many days you have to file a claim for any possible damage.s Activate service for telephone, gas, electric, water, cable tv/Sky and internet. Check with post office for forwarded mail Have appliances checked and ensure lights are lit, if necessary. Write to council office and register to vote Register children in school Arrange for new doctors, dentist, veterinarian, etc. Meet the new neighbors !
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You should be careful while choosing a commercial property to rent irrespective of your location. It is better to solicit the help of an expert broker for this task, if you desire getting the best deal at the most affordable rate.
The term commercial property (also called investment or income property) refers to buildings or land intended to generate a profit, either from capital gain or rental income. Commercial property includes office buildings, industrial property, medical centers, hotels, malls, retail stores, shopping centers, farm land, multifamily housing buildings, warehouses, garages, and industrial properties.
In many places, residential property containing more than a certain number of units qualifies as commercial property for borrowing and tax purposes. Commercial property usually must be zoned for business purposes. It is possible to invest in commercial property directly, or through Real Estate Investment Trusts or Real Estate Limited Partnerships.
Investors receive income from rents and capital appreciation if the property is sold at a profit. Investing in commercial property also entails large risks, such as nonpayment of rent by tenants or a decline in property values because of overbuilding or low demand.
In spite of the risks involved, property owners are tempted to become a part of the rat race putting their properties to let for commercial purpose. Property owners list their properties for sale or rent; developers and builders list to advertise their projects to a global audience; real estate consultants and brokers list properties to expand their market place. For queries, FAQs, drafts of legal documents or for resolving doubts, the Research and Advisory section provides expert answers and accurate information regarding home loan interest rates and real estate articles.
There are calculators for EMI, amortization and area conversion. One should also refer to a list of real estate glossary terms and a book on real estate , which is a guide to buying or selling a property as well as archives which contain useful articles, tips, legal decisions, tax implications and valuable information on a variety of property related subject.
There are a number of countries now fast emerging as the global hub for IT industry. This has led to a cut throat competition amongst prospective investors jostling hard to invest in commercial property in different parts of the globe. There are services informing about commercial property to let, which includes office space for corporate sector; retail space for shops and showroom; mall space, commercial space for Hotels and hospitality sector. Moreover, a host of other commercial properties in all ranges and categories at the best possible price in prime locations of a country are in demand.
Commercial properties to let are rated as per their location, commercial viability and infrastructure. And it is believed that the expensive commercial address can command net monthly rental worth millions.
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As
the rental market rapidly soars tenants are being forced to reduce
rents or take the risk of losing their tenants. This is due to the
amount of homeowners who are now renting out their properties rather
than selling them for a cut price.
There was a rush of so called "accidental landlords" last year as
decreasing house prices influenced homeowners to delay the sale of
their property. This is caused a lot of competition in the rental
market and put pressure on rents.
However, corporate demand has decreased as fewer businesses bring new
employees into the UK. According to agents, rents have been slashed by
approximately 20 percent. In some parts of London this has been as much
as 30 percent. Properties have been left empty as tenants move out to
find better properties for the same price.
"It has been harder than expected for many accidental landlords," says
the lettings director at Knight Frank, the estate agent. "It depends
what area and what price range they are in but tenants are trying to
knock 10-30 per cent off asking prices in some cases and are even
renegotiating mid-term."
There is significant activity in the market, according to them; the
number of like-for-like lets has also risen on last year. There is
still an imbalance between the number of people looking to rent and the
number of properties available. Knight Frank. On average, has twice the
amount of rental stock it had this time last year.
Savills and Hamptons International, also have a lot of properties for
rent, which they say is forcing reductions in rents. "Anyone who has
had a vacant property would have experienced a rent reduction in recent
months," says Mrs Gordon, head of lettings at Savills. "We are seeing
applicants negotiating heavily to get a property and making multiple
offers."
Tenants who took out a contract just 6 months ago are asking landlords
to renegotiate rents. They are using the six month break clause in
their contract to see if they can get a better deal. "They might
exercise the break and go," says Mrs Gordon. "In London, people are
moving into more central areas because they can get a much better
property for the same price."
Not all areas of the market are experiencing the same problems. Agents
say tenants are obtaining discounts only where there is oversupply, and
some sectors are in fact still seeing a shortage of stock. Other areas
are not as bad as central London, which is down by about 15 percent.
The area with the largest drop off in demand is the top end of the
market.
Knight Frank says that properties priced at more than 1,000 pounds a
week are harder to let. As unemployment rises corporate lettings are
also suffering. Accommodation budgets for staff are also been cut by
businesses.
She says some large companies may relocate their employees unless the
landlord cuts rents by several hundred pounds a week. "People relying
heavily on the corporate market have to renegotiate quite
substantially." The biggest fear for landlords is whether they will be
able to meet their mortgage repayments, as they may find they are not
earning enough to cover their payments.
About the Author
Even
if you're just living in rented accommodation, it is still advisable to
have some sort of Life Cover! At The Premium Wizzard website we offer
all UK residents, lots of information and amazing deals on Life Cover. So take time out, look at The Premium Wizzard.
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Inquire Within Your Personal Network The
easiest way to bag a flat mate is to ask your friends or acquaintances
— some of them may need a room or flat mate too. While searching for a
flat mate, you need to define your requirements to be sure that it will
provide results with easy and interesting people you can share an
apartment with. The kind of person you can discuss with and/or who may
have something in common with you.
A flat mate can be of the
opposite sex and it's a good opportunity to meet your future mate! You
can find a mate, a friend, or more.
Shared/Mutual Interests
Try looking for a flat mate with similar interests. You will not only
communicate well but you will have a lot of common ground and hobbies
to participate in. Broaden Your Horizons You
shouldn't limit your search to people like you.Just imagine the
communication you can have if you are game head and your flat mate is a
gym rat! or you happen to be a gourmet while your new flat mate is a
sky diving instructor. Sell Yourself Upload some
great photos of yourself and/or your apartment, great looking photos
are a major selling point, To make your ad better, you should include
some personal information e.g your likes and dislikes. If you're
in a nice area, a paragraph on what is available to prospective flat
mates is another selling point. If you can sell an attractive lifestyle
it will make it easier for people to imagine living in the area. Communicate With Each Other
Try discussing the issues that matter before staying together. To avoid
future problems and misunderstanding it’s best to inform your future
flat mate that you can’t bare smoking inside or you prefer to live in
solitude. Maintain Your Privacy Don’t provide full
information about yourself if you are searching for a flat mate on
online adverts. Our site is here to help you make your search easy! you
can create your own profile and, thus, help other people to find you!
Besides, one of the advantages over traditional ways of searching for a
flat mate is that you don’t need to give a potential flat mate all your
contact details (phone number or address) without properly vetting
them. This ensures that you won’t be bombarded with emails, photos or
phone calls.
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1. You come home wanting to talk about your day to someone. There are people who like coming home to a quiet apartment. And there are those who become depressed at the thought. If you hate coming home to an empty apartment, then you may need a flatmate. Just make sure you find a flatmate you're compatible with.
2. You have no money to yourself or to put in savings after paying off rent, utilities and basic living needs such as food and transportation. Flatmates help you save money. Most times, rent is cheaper with a flatmate. Also, flatmates split the cost of cable television, utilities and home supplies.
3. You hate cooking dinner for one. Find yourself cooking a platter of lasagna and freezing it for weeks as you slowly finish it off? Maybe you yearn for a buddy to help with the cooking, cleaning and, of course, eating.
4. You like having friends who know what you look like before you put your make up on. Flatmates have a special bond, because you've seen each other when sick, tired, crabby and sans make-up or hair gel.
5. You have a dog and need help walking it. if you do have a dog, it would be nice if your flatmates shared the responsibilities of taking it outside. It's also a good idea to share pet safety concerns with your flatmates.
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Disparities In Apartment Sharing Whether
you experience sharing an apartment as being positive, negative or a
mixture of the two will probably depend very much on how similar your
personal house rules are with the person that you co-habit with.
We all have different views and opinions on how it is best to live. How
we conduct ourselves in our own homes can also be a little different
from how we present ourselves to the outside world. Therefore,
many of us end up sharing an apartment with a friend who we thought
that we got on with like a house on fire, only to find that what we
once experienced as warmth has turned into hot, frayed tempers about
whose responsibility it is to carry out household chores. Advantages of sharing an apartment. Sharing
living space with another can mean sharing much more than just your
home if you want it to. It can be very cost effective to share
household bills and duties rather than being solely responsible for
them. If you get on well with the other person then you can also
share time with them and discuss any problems or difficulties that you
have faced during the day, as well as any joys that you have
encountered. When you live in the same dwelling as another person
it can also mean that when you come home late at night you are greeted
by them, or at least by the warm glow of their bedside lamp as you come
up the drive to your apartment. If you are concerned about safety or
dislike being alone, then you also have the comfort of knowing that
there is someone else in the house. You may find that you and the
other person move in different social circles and that as a result of
living together you meet new people who you never realised that you
could be friends with before. Your own social life can expand as a
result as well as you finding yourself provided with others to network
with. Disadvantages of sharing an apartment. Finances
are often a bone of contention with those who share apartments. While
sharing bills can be an advantage if you can work them out fairly, they
can also lead to much ill will and arguments when you come upon a
disagreement about who should pay for what. The best that you can hope
for is that the other person is honest and expects to pull their
financial weight. Another possible problem can arise when the
other person finds a partner that they end up spending increasing
amounts of time with in the apartment. If this happens then you can
look forward to loud noises from the bedroom, extra mess that is left
for you to deal with or put up with and a possible further strain on
finances. It also means that you may have to spend time with your
friends partner around even if you dont like them. Yet another
possible problem is a clash in tastes. It is possible that one of you
may be a minimalist, preferring cleanliness and order, while the other
thrives on mayhem and clutter. This isnt a good combination and will
definately lead to trouble unless both parties agree to turn down their
style and to compromise. The next
problem that could arise is to do with household chores. Even if your
personal tastes and styles match you will probably expect the other
person to take turns with chores, or to clean up as they go.
Unfortunately some people choose not to comprehend this concept and may
leave a trail of unwashed dishes behind them and expect the fairies, ie
you, to wash them. Lastly, there is the issue of personal habits.
If one of you likes to get up at 6am and chant loudly in-between
ringing bells while the other longs for the peace that comes from
silence then you will clash in this area. Like-wise, if one of you
smokes and drinks, leaving used ashtrays about the place, smoke in the
air and empty beer cans around then the other may not be amused. Choose Wisely Learning
to live with another person can be tricky, and sometimes choosing your
cohabitee wisely in the first place is the only answer. However, if you
do find find someone that you are compatible with then you can be very
happy sharing and chalk up some good memories while doing so.
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One of the joys of living with the right flatmate is having a friend you see every day, first thing in the morning and last at night. On the other hand, crazy flatmates can make your skin crawl and have you turning red with anger . To avoid this scenario, here are six tips on choosing the right flatmate:
1. Find a similarly tidy flatmate. Neat goes with neat, and messy goes with messy. For a flatmate to be right for you, it's important that he or she is roughly as clean or as messy as you are. For larger households--three or more flatmates--the level of neatness tends to lean towards the majority preference, so avoid being the odd one out.
2. Find someone with whom you can discuss finances and money issues. This is essential. Because you'll be splitting the bills on electricity, gas, cable, Internet and possibly furniture, you must feel comfortable enough with your flatmate to talk candidly about the size of the gas bill or whether premium cable channels are worth the cost.
3. Discuss your preferences for inviting friends over. How often do you like having people over? Do you mind if your flatmate's friends been at your apartment late? If you disagree over having people over all the time or letting friends sleep on the couch, it'll be a source of contention.
4. Discuss how late or early you go to bed and how sound of a sleeper you are. Could you handle it, if your flatmate always had people over who talked loudly late into the night? What about an early-to-bed flatmate who's always yelling at you to turn down the TV to near-silent levels? The right flatmate should have a similar sleep schedule and/or noise preference as you.
5. Ask about pets. Don't forget to find out what pets they have or whether they're OK with yours. Are they willing to help care for your pet, even when you're out of town? Also, discuss any allergies they may have.
6. Choose a person for compatibility, not likability. Friends do not always make the best flatmates. You see your friends on a limited basis, so neither of you has to deal regularly with each other's idiosyncrasies. This would change once you became flatmates, and your friendship could be strained as a result. So, make sure you're especially honest about your lifestyle preferences when discussing sharing with a friend.
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You have problems with your flatmate. He just leaves the dishes in the sink for you to wash. Or her clothes hang on the couch. Or he never takes out the trash. You've already had several spats over her messy habits, but the flatmate problems haven't disappeared and you can't move out.
You're not alone. It is very difficult to find a flatmate with whom you get along and who has the same cleaning habits. If you can't or don't want to find a new flatmate, there are ways to calm the tension.
The most important rule to remember is to resist the urge to clean up after your messy flatmate. This may encourage your flatmate to clean even less; they may think, consciously or subconsciously, if he will do it, why should I? Also, it is unfair to you, because you may find yourself constantly tidying up.
Instead of cleaning all the time, set some suggested rules with your flatmate.
Remind yourself that your bedroom is the only place in the apartment you truly have control over. Decorate or furnish your room, so that you have one haven in the apartment. You must compromise over the common areas.
It is hard for many tidy flatmates to understand why their messy flatmates wait so long to clean the dishes or take the trash out. Remind yourself that not everyone works on the same cleaning schedule. While some prefer to clean and pick up after themselves every day or every other day, others clean once a week or every other week. If your flatmate cleans a little less often than you do, resist the urge to force your flatmate into your schedule. Instead, try compromising on the number of days dishes are allowed to sit in the sink or when trash must be taken out.
Also, try dividing the chores. You can take out the trash and your flatmate cleans the dishes. This may help your messy flatmate focus on only a few chores and develop a habit of keeping certain areas clean. If you do this, make sure to assign yourself chores that you care most about, so that you can be certain these will get done.
Consider hiring a cleaning service. Talk to your flatmate about splitting the cost of a cleaning person. This may take some of the burden off of you and get your flatmate financially involved in keeping your apartment.
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One of the most potentially tense conversations that could occur among roommates is the topic of dividing rent. Most of us shy away from talking about money, especially with friends, but if not discussed honestly, it will cause resentment and tension between you and your roommates over time.
Know your budget as well as your roommate's rent boundaries
Before any discussion of rent can begin, each of you must openly lay out your rent constraints. What is the maximum and minimum amount of rent that each of you can afford?
During this step, it's important not to embarrass anyone, whether it's the roommate who can afford less or the roommate whose least concern is money.
How to divide the rent
The best way to divide the rent is to attach a value amount to each of the bedrooms. Whoever lives in the largest bedroom pays the higher rent. Conversely, whoever has the smallest bedroom, pays the least. Most apartments have one primo bedroom. It either has more closet space, better light or a better view--something that sets it apart from the others and should cost more than the others.
If you all have different budgets, then this will help determine who lives in which bedroom.
On the other hand, if you can all afford about the same, you must speak openly about your individual needs. Do you want a nicer bedroom or would you prefer paying less rent and using the extra cash elsewhere? As roommates, don't let the discussion become a competition for either winning the best bedroom or paying the least. Try to match bedrooms to lifestyles and preferences. This will make for more harmonious roommate relationships.
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Picture this. Friends dropping by unannounced to watch pay per view boxing. Your flatmates’ high school chums camping out on the couch for three weeks until they find their own flats. Parties with uninvited guests traipsing in and out. Or even an annoying flatmate who wanders in and borrows your clothes. Despite all of this, there are ways to protect your home and valuables from others.
Yes, for cautious types, it’s an agonizing part of flat sharing that strangers will file in and out of your apartment. When home, it’s easy to guard against this, but how do you keep people out while you’re away.
For starters, I suggest taking a deep breath. Chances are, if you trust your flatmates, you can be sure to trust their friends. Sure, there’s always a suspicious person in a network of friends, but one can’t really guard against every danger.
However, if you live with a flatmate who doesn’t respect boundaries or have guests staying over frequently, protecting your room can be a good idea.
Adding a Lock to Your DoorAdding a keyed lock to your door is probably the easiest, most effective way to protect your belongings. You can lock up during parties and whenever you leave. To do this, you must buy a new doorknob that comes with a lock and key. Instructions are included on how to change the knob.
Telling Your Flatmates About Your New LockIf you’re close to your flatmates, they could take offense to suddenly discovering a locked door. Some may wonder whether you trust them or not. To minimize any hurt or avoid any miscommunication, take time to explain to them your reasons for the lock. One major tip towards diplomatic communication is to phrase sentences using the word “I” a lot and not “you.” When telling them, focus more on your own personal motives and less on them or their friends’ actions.
Give a spare key to one trustworthy personIf you can, I suggest designating one flatmate or a close friend to keep a second key. There may come a time when you’ll need someone to access your room while you’re away.
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