The Pros and Cons of Shared Accommodation
Living on your own for the first time can seem daunting. There’s extra costs to budget for, fears of loneliness, not to mention the work involved in setting up your own place.
This thought process immediately brings the question to mind, why not live with housemates? Whether you’re looking for student accommodation or a household of young working professionals, shared accommodation is the way to go if you’re looking to cut down on expenses and enjoy the company of others at home.
However, living with flatmates isn’t always sunshine and rainbows for all potential renters, and definitely has its fair share of ups and downs.
With that being said, it’s time to explore the pros and cons of shared accommodation.
The Pros
Moving into a rental can prove to be a great solution to potential loneliness and less of a blow to your bank account.
The most common instances of shared accommodation involve living with longtime friends. It’s an appealing option for many due to the premade connection, feeling of safety and a shared interest in moving out.
Another case is moving out into a rental with housemates you’ve never met before, but share common ground, whether it be for work or for study, with hopes of making new friends and hanging out with a different social circle in the living room.
Both aforementioned instances are a great way to stay social and feel more confident in your new setting, knowing there is at least one other person going through the same thing you are.
Living with others can also provide household services you may not be fully aware of yet if it’s your first time moving out of home, such as learning to cook or operating a washing machine which other housemates may be able to assist with.
Shared accommodation is also a great opportunity to save money, as the cost of rent would effectively be shared equally amongst all individuals (depending on how you work out the split amongst yourselves), as well as living costs being shared amongst all renters.
The Cons
With the positives being said, it’s time to play devil’s advocate and consider what could backfire when you live with others.
While living with others, friends especially, can seem like a paradise, sometimes it can prove to be anything but. If you have housemates with different opinions and lifestyles living under the one roof, it can sometimes cause clashes and arguments can erupt.
For example, one of your housemates may have a tendency to leave dirty dishes out for days while you expect everyone to clean up after themselves and maintain a tidy kitchen. This might seem like a minor annoyance but when you’re in the same space every day it can easily escalate into a heated argument.
Flat sharing is great for cost saving as mentioned earlier, but issues can arise with rent payment, as some may not be as on top of the rent as others.
Deciding on how to split other living costs can be a source of tension and disagreement as well. While payments can be split down the middle, some may feel they use certain items less than others and will be less inclined to fork out their hard-earned cash for it.
Ultimately, the decision is in your hands and centres around your own preferences and lifestyle. Whether you decide on a share house or your own space, take these pros and cons in consideration before deciding whether a shared house is right for you.
Moving out and you’re unsure what to do next? Check out our great guide on Moving out for the first time here!