5 Tips for Choosing a Great Flatmate

Posted on February 24, 2015

When moving into student accommodation in Sunderland, you may think that finding a property is the one thing that will give you a headache, however choosing who you share your rental with is of utmost importance. In the second and third years of study, after your move from student halls, your choice of flatmates is your own and knowing how to use this power carefully can not only breed life-long friendships but make studying an even more enjoyable experience.

As a leading estate agent in Sunderland, we specialise in delivering a range of student accommodation options to those looking to study in the area. During our time in the student market we have not only developed an enviable portfolio but discovered a few tips that will make every student’s stay, well, an unforgettable experience. Here are our top five tips for choosing a great flatmate.

Keep it compatible

Flat sharing is all about having compatible lifestyles, and whilst the fact that your potential flatmate smokes or has a partner may not seem of importance now, it may become a bugbear in the weeks or months after move in. Your schedules may also affect relations, after all if you’re heavily involved in your studies, sharing your space with a night owl may not work.

Try not to mix business with pleasure

Whilst your flatmate is there to share all your student experiences, getting a little too close for comfort could spell disaster in the long term. Moving in with someone you are attracted to may work out, but if things don’t, being stuck with them at home could be difficult.

Meet before moving in

Many college and university students move in with individuals that they have already lived with in halls, however, for those using online resources to find flatmates, meeting them before you sign your tenancy agreement is vital. If you are sharing with a bunch of flatmates, then making sure everyone meets will keep relations sweet.

Set standards early

Defining the house rules and ensuring everyone agrees with them will certainly sort the wheat from the chaff when finding a compatible flatmate. Everyone needs to contribute to the rules and regulations, and ensuring you can stick to other people’s standards as well as your own will ensure each and every flatmate gets along and ends the year on good terms.

Be a great flatmate

Finding a great flatmate and being one most certainly go hand in hand, so make sure you do your own bit. Keep communication at the top of your agenda from meeting flatmates found online and viewing potential properties to moving in and living with each other.