Top Tips for Living in a Student House Share

Moving away for university marks a transitional period for many students. For most people, it's their first time being away from not only their home, but often their hometown or city. Whether you move into student halls, a flat or house share, living in shared student accommodation in Newcastle can be an incredible experience and a great way to build lifelong connections with friends.

What is a House Share?

House sharing at university is not only cost-effective, but a great way to experience true independence while also meeting like minded people. There are many wonderful student properties in Newcastle to choose from, and once you’ve found the right one for you, you’ll want to ensure your time there is enjoyable.

While it can be tempting to get caught up in social activities and planning nights out, it’s important to prioritise a smooth transition from your home to university accommodation. From splitting household bills and sharing chores, to signing tenancy contracts and hosting social events, there are many things to consider when moving into a house share in Newcastle.

Living in a completely different environment with new people can be daunting, but with our top tips you’ll be settled in no time.

Communicate

Open communication is the key to any relationship, but especially with those you’re sharing your space with. Having a conversation with your future flat or house mates about preferences, routines and boundaries when you move in can be a great way to set the tone for living together.

For example, asking the following questions can help you gauge compatibility and give you a good idea of what to expect: How do you feel about having friends over? If we both have morning lectures, who will use the shower first? Do you plan on coming home late at night or do you tend to stay in? Would you like to cook together or do you prefer to get takeaways?

By having an in depth conversation as a group, you’ll gain insight into each other’s day to day routines and learn how to be sensitive to one another's needs. It’s important to note that you will need to be flexible and learn how to compromise when it comes to things like cleaning.

Once you’ve moved into your student accommodation in Newcastle, it’s a good idea to keep these conversations ongoing. Set aside some time on a regular basis to get together as a group and discuss any questions or issues you may have. By doing this, everyone gets a chance to be heard and it prevents smaller issues from escalating.

Budget Your Money

Before moving into your property, agreeing on a household budget is essential. Being clear on how bills will be shared will prevent any misunderstandings later down the line.

Bill packages are an effective way to manage your finances. The packages we offer at Seekers are designed to be convenient, increase budget efficiency and protect you from unpredictable changes in utility expenses. We remove the burden of spending hours finding the best provider for each of your separate utilities, giving you packages that are hassle-free from start to finish. We liaise with utility providers so you don’t have to, set up your internet ready for move-in date, and so much more.

When it comes to grocery bills, apps like Splitwise and Venmo can be helpful if you and your friends wish to split this. Do your research and discuss this as a group to see who is comfortable with paying what bills. Every dynamic in a student house share will be different. Some groups prefer to share the bills when it comes to grocery shopping, while others may be more comfortable buying their groceries separately but like having a ‘kitty’ for communal items such as bread, milk, toilet rolls etc. If this is something your housemates are interested in, it may be worth setting up direct debits each month.

Clean Up After Yourself

When sharing a house with other people, it’s important to be considerate and clean up after yourself. Nobody wants to come home from a day of classes and studying to tidy up a mess that’s not their own.

Everyone has a different idea of what ‘clean’ looks like. For example, some people like to clean the kitchen after every meal or clean their bathroom weekly, while others may prefer to do a deep clean every other week or once a month. To combat any issues arising, it’s worth discussing house roles. Make sure you are all in agreement as to who does what chores, and suggest implementing a cleaning rota to make sure everyone is doing their bit.

Socialise

While it’s important to respect people’s privacy and space, socialising with your housemates is the best way to strengthen your relationship. It can be tempting to close yourself off and hide in your room when you feel overwhelmed by a new environment, but making connections will help you adjust to this transition. Suggest grabbing food together, or having a movie night as a group. The friendships you make at university can set you up for life , and nothing helps you bond like sharing a house!

If you’re new to Newcastle, what better way to make memories and see the city than with your new friends? We’ve put together a list of top destinations in the North East to help you plan the perfect day out.

Get in Touch

When it comes to student life in Newcastle, Seekers are here to help you every step of the way. From finding a property to discovering everything Newcastle has to offer, our guide to student life will help you navigate your time at uni.

Top Tips for Living in a Student House Share