Flatmate etiquette: the unwritten rules that keep the peace

Shared living can be one of the best parts of your twenties: cheap rent, built-in social life, someone to split a Deliveroo with at 11pm. But it can also be miserable if people do not respect each other's space and boundaries. Here is what separates a great flatmate from a nightmare one.

Do: communicate early and often. If something bothers you, say it before it festers. A quick "hey, could you wash up your pan after cooking?" on day three is a thousand times easier than an explosive argument on month three.

Don't: be passive-aggressive. Sticky notes on dirty dishes, sighing loudly, or complaining to everyone except the person involved: all of it makes things worse. Be direct but kind.

Do: respect shared spaces. Clean up after yourself in the kitchen, do not leave laundry in the machine for days, and keep common areas tidy enough that everyone feels comfortable. Your room is your domain; the kitchen is everyone's.

Don't: assume everyone has the same standards. Some people are fine with a pile of shoes by the door. Others are not. Talk about expectations early rather than assuming yours are universal.

Do: pay on time, every time. Nothing damages a flatmate relationship faster than chasing someone for rent or bills. Casamates tracks who owes what and shows clear balances, so payments never become guesswork.

Don't: eat other people's food without asking. This one sounds small but it causes more arguments than almost anything else. If it is not yours, ask first. Use the shared shopping list in Casamates to mark what belongs to the house and what is personal.

Do: be considerate about noise. Keep music at a reasonable volume, warn people before a late night, and invest in headphones. Not everyone keeps the same hours.

Don't: let guests overstay. Having a partner over occasionally is fine. Having them there five nights a week without contributing to bills is not. Agree on guest rules early.

Do: make an effort socially. You do not have to be best friends, but saying good morning, asking how someone's day was, or suggesting a house dinner once in a while makes the atmosphere infinitely better.

Don't: ignore problems until they explode. A leaky tap, a broken lock, a flatmate who never takes the bins out: address things when they are small. Casamates chore tracking makes responsibilities visible so no one can claim they did not know it was their turn.