Financial pressures mean many of us share our homes nowadays. This can also be because we love the social aspect as well as the financial benefits.
But when it comes to choosing a flatmate, what are the pros and cons of sharing with friends as opposed to strangers?
Let’s find out.
Living with friends: the downside
Higher stakes
They say you never truly know someone until you live with them. In some cases this can be a bad thing. Previously good friendships can be put at stake if you discover things you wish you hadn’t, such as a passion for yodelling in the shower or drinking milk straight from the carton.
Pushing the boundaries
When friends share, the rules tend to be more relaxed. This can be great . . . but it can also be problematic when people take ages to pay their share of bills or throw impromptu parties when others are in bed.
Living with friends: the upside
Inside knowledge
No need to seek out references for your chum. Essentially, you already know what you’re getting into and you’re likely to have shared interests.
Party central
If a few friends live together, your pad can become a meeting place for the whole gang and you’ll never be short of someone to hang out with.
Sharing with strangers: the downside
A leap in the dark
There’s always an element of the unknown when moving in with a stranger. You don’t know them but neither will you know their friends – coming home to a music band’s daily jamming session on your sofa is not everyone’s idea of relaxing.
Different expectations
People come to flat-shares with different expectations. Some might be new to an area and looking for a readymade social circle. Others might simply view their home as somewhere to store their stuff and lay their head. If one tenant is looking for a bestie and the other happy to remain on nodding terms, no-one gets what they want.
Sharing with strangers: the upside
Nothing to lose
Often the best flat-shares can occur when both parties are on friendly terms but have their own lives. When there is no expectation of sharing everything and each person is respectful, home can be a sanctuary.
Make new friends
When a flat-share works out well you can find yourself with a great friendship, which lasts longer than the tenancy.
If it’s time to move to a new rental house why not take a look at the properties available on s1homes?