People in the UK now dream of buying their own place by the age of 29, according to new research, but the reality is that if they can ever afford their own place, it won’t be until the age of 38. And this has resulted in more than half having lived with, or currently living with, a housemate from hell.
Leaving dirty dishes in the sink tops the list of housemate red flags, followed by eating food that isn’t theirs, leaving the bathroom in a mess , and ignoring overflowing bins. Another common bug bears is hearing your housemate having ‘loud intimate time’ with their partner.
Not paying bills or rent on time, never buying loo roll or cleaning supplies, inviting strangers to stay without asking and smoking or vaping indoors also made the list of annoyances. The problem is so bad, according to young renters, that one in five have moved out mid-tenancy because of a bad experience with a housemate.
Study app Quizlet, commissioned the survey of 1,500 adults who rent shared accommodation across the UK and discovered that despite all of this, 94 per cent consider themselves to be a good housemate. Yet, almost a third say they have disagreements that lead to tension with their housemates on a weekly basis, and half argue with their housemates at least once every month.
Quizlet partnered with actor, Joe Thomas to launch an ‘Unofficial Housemate Rulebook’ to help tackle conflicts.
Joe starred as a student in series The Inbetweeners and Fresh Meat, and lived in shared accommodation with co-star Simon Bird following graduation from Cambridge University. Joe said: “I have lived in shared accommodation during my time at university and as a graduate, and I have played the role of student in a messy house share. So, trust me, I know all about the ups and downs of living in shared accommodation.
“Whether it is the never-ending pile of bin bags or the mountain of dirty dishes in the sink, I would have benefited from a guide on how to be a good housemate.”
Niki Frankfort, Senior Communications Manager at Quizlet, said: “Navigating the unspoken rules of a shared home can be a major source of stress, and as the data reveals, it often leads to conflict that can impact everything from mental well-being to the ability to study effectively.
“We hope that by creating this guide, we will help make moving away from home an easier transition and support our users not just in their studies, but in all pivotal learning moments that shape their lives.”
You can access Quizlet’s ‘Unofficial Housemate Rulebook’ via the app here.
