Lead Tenant

Who will be the lead tenant? This person should be responsible, personable and efficient. They act as the group's nominated representative, including coordinating any aspects of the tenancy, such as checking all the rent and bills are paid on time and liaising with the landlord.

 

Agency or Private Landlord?

Are you going with an agency or a house managed directly by a private landlord? During your house viewing ask the existing tenants about their landlord or agency. Do you want to sort out landlord repairs promptly and at your convenience or rely on someone else doing it at some time in the future?

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Compatibility and Lifestyle

Do your potential housemates match your personality with similar priorities? Think about your lifestyle and what you would like in a housemate, for example reliability with money. Should you choose people who have similar sleeping times, eating habits and social life? If you are an early riser who prefers a quiet and tidy house, don't choose to live with a messy party person - a fun friend isn't necessarily a good housemate! Get your prospective live out friends to write a short statement about themselves, sharing their interests and what they are looking for in their housemates. Do they want to live with the group for more than one year? Staying with the same group next year means a lot less work - no need to move out or search for weeks for another house or new group!

 

Compromise

It doesn't always go smoothly when living in a shared house. People may have different ideas about standards of cleaning and how to live in the house. Good communication and listening skills, as well as being able to compromise, are essential to creating a happy household. What compromises are you prepared to make? Could you live with someone who: