Shared Living & Home Maintenance Hat

Recommendations for students and first time renters who want to learn how to live with others and manage their homes.

When you relocate to a different country and need to survive on your own for the first time in your life, you need to learn how to navigate your new environment. This will involve cleaning your new apartment and also being able to positively co-exist with your new flat mates.

Draft a Roommate Contract Before Moving In.

Write on paper for a start for what you will expect

Rent amount and how the utilities will be shared

Cleansing and other housekeeping

Visitors and noise regulations

Shared areas like the kitchen and bathrooms

The importance of putting things in writing is to avoid conflicting issues in the future.

To avoid conflict

Every month, for instance, you can set a specific date where you will discuss the unresolved issues, chores, and the finances before they escalate.

Group chats on platforms like Messenger or WhatsApp can be used to provide information and organize activities.

Be polite, but act immediately to solve the issues: Focus on the issues and what can be done.

The important thing is to deal with the issues as per the steps below.

Don’t speak, only listen.

Don’t blame others, stick to the topic.

Sometimes its okay to give up your position.

Empathy, flexibility, and respect are key elements for seamlessly shared living.

Basic Skills for Preserving the Condition of Your House

If you leave, no one will change the light bulbs or unclog the sink unless you do it.

Putting In a New Light Bulb

Switch the light OFF.

Wait for the light bulb to cool.

To remove the light bulb, twist it to the left.

The new bulb which goes in the fixture should be twisted to the right to secure it.

Clearing a Clogged Drain

Drains should first be checked with a drain snake or plunger.

Strong chemicals should be avoided to unclog the drain, as they do more damage to the pipes.

Access the P-trap, which is the bend in the pipe beneath the sink, and remove any obstructions.

Using a Heater

Understand the fan, cool, and hot functioning settings.

Program it to energy saving mode during the hours you are away.

Basic safety checks and upkeep

Smoke detectors should be checked each month

Change the batteries every year

Know the primary locations for the water shut-off valve and circuit breaker.

Tip:
These skills are most impressive for landlords, and they cut costs while keeping small issues from escalating.

Accessing basic cleaning and order services will incur a fee payable by you and your roommates, portions of which will be allocated to the basic maintenance cost, as, for instance, bathroom cleaning done once a month, in addition to move-out cleaning ....

Flexibility and the feeling of self-worth are important aspects of your new life away from home trying to realize which you will be less anxious nervously managing conflicts in a mutual living situation.