How to address common housemate issues

There is nothing worse than getting into a sticky situation with your housemates. After

all, you have to live with these people! If they don’t pay for their share of the bills or

use your things without asking, it can be uncomfortable to even be

in the same room.

RENT DUE

But before you reach for the boxes and packing tape (ain’t nobody got time

to move), check out these 10 common housemate issues and helpful tips to

overcome them.

RENT DUE

#1 TAKING WITHOUT ASKING

#1The situation:Your housemate is forever borrowing your stuff without asking your permission. They assume it won’t be an issue and regularly help themselves to your hairdryer, food and even your clothes!

Taking without asking

#1The solution:The worst thing you can do in this situation is to bottle up your frustration. You might end up losing your temper over something trivial and causing a bigger problem. Talk openly and fairly to your housemate and explain that while you’re happy to share your stuff, you’d appreciate them asking permission before taking any of your items. If they ignore your request, invest in lockable containers!

Taking without asking

#2 Not paying

their share

RENT DUE

#2The situation:One of your housemates is a total shopaholic, yet whenever the rent and bills are due they can never afford to pay their share. You’re forced to chip in so that the payment deadlines aren’t missed, but you can’t afford to keep paying someone else’s share.

Not paying their share

RENT DUE

#2Not paying their share

The solution:Make a ‘just in case’ jar and ask each housemate to put in $10 a week as a back up fund for bills and rent. That way you won’t have to be chasing up your housemates (or chipping in extra out of your own pocket) if someone falls short when payments are due. Also, offer to help your housemate with their budget, or suggest budgeting apps that they can use to get their spending sorted. If the issue continues, it’s time for a tough conversation. Freeloading is a deal breaker!

Clear communication will help to clear up housemate problems.

#3 Lack of cleanliness

#3The situation:Your housemate is a great guy, but you’re fed up with having to clean up after him! He leaves dirty dishes in the sink for days, never sweeps the floor and leaves the bathroom in a mess.

Lack of cleanliness

#3The solution:The key to solving this problem is to be upfront and deal with it straight away before it escalates and leads to resentment. Explain to your housemate that you’re not okay living in a messy house and that you’d appreciate if he could contribute to keeping things clean.You could suggest one day per week when you all do the cleaning together, or create a roster so that the tasks are evenly shared. Nobody wants to live with someone who acts like their mother, but a clear plan will help keep everyone accountable.

Lack of cleanliness

Did you know: If you ever have any questions or concerns about

your rights and responsibilities as a renter, you can contact the Residential Tenancies Authority?

Find out more about the information and services the RTA provide by visiting their website.

#4 Someone

wants to leave

#4The situation:You moved in with friends at the beginning of the year and you’ve all had a great time living together. Now, with two months left on the lease, one of your housemates announces they are moving out.The additional share of rent for the remaining two months is more than you and your other housemates can afford to cover. What can you do?

Someone wants to leave

#4The solution:The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) states that if a tenant breaks a lease they may have to pay compensation and/or any remaining rent until the end of the lease. In other words, even though your friend is leaving, they still have a responsibility to cover their rent for the next two months. If they can’t afford to keep paying their share, it is their responsibility to find someone else to take over their part of the lease agreement.For more information about moving out, visit the RTA website.

Someone wants to leave

#5 You’re having

issues with the landlord

You’re having issues with the landlord

#5The situation:Since moving in at the start of the semester, you and your housemates have discovered things broken and not working properly in your apartment. You’ve asked the landlord several times to arrange for maintenance and repairs, but months later nothing has been fixed.

For more information about rights and responsibilities of tenants and lessors visit the RTA website.

For more information about lodging a Notice to remedy breach (Form 11) click here.

#5The solution:While you don’t want to create issues with your landlord, you are paying to live in the property so you’re entitled to push for these maintenance tasks to be completed. The RTA states that landlords are responsible for keeping their properties in good condition and fit for residents to live in, so if repairs haven’t been organised within a reasonable amount of time, you have the option to lodge a ‘Notice to remedy breach (Form 11)’ to prompt a response from your landlord within the specified timeframe.

You’re having issues with the landlord

Clear communication will help to clear up housemate problems.

#6 Your

housemate won’t

help with the

preparation for

house inspections

The situation:Whenever your regular house inspection comes around, one of your housemates pulls a disappearing act and is hardly ever home. You and your other housemates are forced to pick up the slack and organise everything that needs to be done beforehand.

Your housemate won’t help with the preparation for house inspections

#6

The solution:Instead of waiting until you receive your next inspection notice, talk to your housemate now about their lack of contribution and the extra work it creates for others in the house. By addressing the problem proactively, you’ll have plenty of time to plan ahead for the next inspection and make sure everyone is clear on what tasks they’re responsible for. Don’t forget to tidy up outdoors too!

Your housemate won’t help with the preparation for house inspections

#6

Did you know: The average roommate in Australia is 27 years old and the demand for share housing is on the rise.*

*2015, Flatmates.com.au and Domain.com.au

#7 Damage to personal

belongings or property

The situation:Your housemate had some friends over for a party on the weekend. You were fine with them coming over, but you now discover that they’ve broken your sound system and there’s a hole in the bathroom wall. You’re furious with your housemate and worried about how your landlord will react. What should you do and who will pay for the repairs?

Damage to personal belongings or property

#7

The solution:The RTA states that both residents and their guests are responsible for looking after the property. Seeing as it was your housemate’s friends who caused the damage, it is his responsibility to inform the landlord of the damage and to pay for the repairs.As for your sound system, explain to your housemate that you expect him to pay for it to be repaired or replaced and negotiate a timeframe for this to happen. For more information about repair responsibilities visit the RTA website.

Damage to personal belongings or property

#7

Clear communication will help to clear up housemate problems.

#8 Disregarding

house rules

#8

house rules

The situation:When you first moved in, all of you agreed to some basic house rules, but lately one of your housemates hasn’t been keeping up their end of the deal. You’re not comfortable with some of their behaviour and are annoyed that they’re disregarding the rules you all agreed on together.

Disregarding house rules

#8The solution:You need to speak up before the situation becomes unbearable. Try to make the meeting as informal as possible so that your housemate doesn’t feel like they’re being cornered and become defensive before you can make progress in the conversation.Explain how you feel and how it’s impacting you. Offer to revisit the house rules together so that you’re all clear on where you stand. If your housemate no longer agrees to the rules or wants to renegotiate them, explain that you’d appreciate that being a shared conversation where you can all have input, instead of your housemate choosing to disregard the rules altogether.

Disregarding house rules

house rules

#9 You’re caught

in the middle of a

housemate fight

#9

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

The situation:Two of your housemates have had a falling out and it’s made things tense around the house for over a week. You’re feeling the pressure to take sides and the stress of the situation is starting to interfere with your study and your sleep. You just want everyone to get along again!

You’re caught in the middle of a housemate fight

#9The solution:Get everyone together in a common room of the house and explain that you’re sick of being caught in the middle and that the problem needs to be resolved, now. Let each person tell their side of the story and explain their feelings. Then, see if you can work as the mediator to help them reach a solution.Living with other people means that at some stage, everyone in the house needs to learn to compromise. Once a solution has been reached, make it clear that the argument is over and needs to be left at that.

You’re caught in the middle of a housemate fight

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

Did you know: The rules in Queensland might be different from

those in other states or countries? To make sure you don’t get caught out, visit the

Residential Tenancies Authority website.

#10 Lack of

understanding for

‘personal space’

#10The situation:Your housemate is a total people person, while you tend to prefer your own space. Whenever you’re watching a movie, studying or just having some ‘me time’, your housemate constantly joins in and is keen for a chat. How can you explain your need for personal space without hurting their feelings?

Lack of understanding for ‘personal space’

#10The solution:Sit down with your housemate and explain why alone time is important to you and that while you enjoy their company, you also need some time and space just for you.As a compromise, offer to schedule in some movie time or an activity that you can do together during the week. You could also try our downloadable door hangers to make it clear to your roommate the times when you’re not keen for company.

Lack of understanding for ‘personal space’

Clear communication will help to clear up housemate problems.

Housemate issues are common, but they’re not impossible to overcome! By using these tips and

communicating clearly with your housemates, you can navigate sticky situations and get back to a

great living situation.

If you’re having trouble with your housemates that you just can’t resolve, the team at Student Services can help. You can also chat to a welfare expert for information and advice on solving your situation.

CRICOS QLD 00244B NSW 02225M • TEQSA PRV12081 8.2.D 11.2016