The Most Annoying Flatmate Habits

We've all dreamt of moving out and finally getting a taste of freedom when heading off to uni. Just think… A space of your own, being able to come and go as you please, having as many parties as you wish and, best of all, not having your parents around to tell you what to do. It's something that everyone should get the chance to experience, as well as a newfound confidence that really shapes us into the young adults we are to become. 

Preparing for uni sounds like; buying home accessories, packing your favourite clothes for all the best events, securing the best accommodation and downloading all the apps that will give you access to as many student discounts as you can think of. 

Although this all sounds like fun and games, it's not always smooth sailing, especially when it comes to your living situation. It’s likely that you’ve never lived with total strangers before, and although they might become your lifelong friends, it can take a minute to get used to one another. 

So, let’s get into the most annoying habits your flatmates can have. 

Laugh or cry, right?

Days/Weeks/Months Old Washing Up 

Now, at your parent's house, you’ve likely experienced the annoying sound that is your parents asking you to do the dishes. Not many people enjoy doing the dishes or cleaning as a whole, but it's essential. For some, moving to university means living under their own rules for the first time, and with this comes a lack of urgency to get chores done. And with no one to enforce this, what happens? Washing up is left in the sink for days, weeks, even months!

There's nothing more annoying than wanting to use the sink, but it's maxed out with dirty plates and cutlery. If your kitchen gets like this, we advise you first talk to your flatmates and see if you can get through to the person who might be the problem OR implement a rota. 

Not Taking The Bins Out 

The bins are another chore that nobody truly enjoys, but there is no point in trying to live by an 'if it's full, just take it out' because, in our experience, this never works. Instead, we advise that you put together a weekly rota, whether it's taking the bin out once every 2-3 days, or weekly and deciding who is responsible for doing so. We also advise that you also have a plan for cleaning the bins. They can get smelly if they're not regularly cleaned, especially from leakage. Bin juice? No thanks.

Being Super Loud

Once the novelty of freshers week wears off and the partying dies down (slightly) you might realise that you live with really loud flatmates. Whether it’s blasting music to the early hours or having zero grasp on an ‘inside voice’, it can be a seriously annoying habit. Here, we suggest that you try to create open and fluid relationships with one another, so you are comfortable saying when things are getting a little too much. Especially if you, for example, are preparing for exams or have an early start the next day. Be affirmative and gain each other's respect so that if things start to get wobbly, you can talk openly and honestly with one another. 

Leaving Food To Rot

We know how easy it can be to forget about the food you've bought and have it hit its expiry date before you've had the chance to eat it, but this doesn’t excuse letting food go rotten in your fridge. If you suspect a flatmate is refusing to take rotting veggies off their fridge shelf, we recommend giving them a nudge to do so or (if you’re feeling brave) just biting the bullet and taking the food out yourself. 

Stealing Food

Stealing food from flatmates is never cool. Never. The odd mistake can happen but consciously stealing food is really a low blow. Not only is food expensive, but imagine coming down to the fridge, maybe on a hangover, and wanting to tuck into that specific snack you purchased only the day before but, plot twist, it’s disappeared! THE HORROR. 

If you suspect there’s a food thief in your midst, we recommend going rogue with your approach. Hide your best snacks if you need to! We’ve all been there. 

A Few Other Things...

We’ve scratched the surface of annoying habits that your flatmates can have, but the list doesn't end there. Here are a few more things you might encounter in your time at university:

1. Leaving lights & appliances on 

2. Not pulling their hair out of the shower drain

3. Leaving the toilet seats up

4. Not changing the toilet roll

5. Constantly having large groups over

The list goes on! 

The Round Up

Living with new people always comes with challenges, and that's okay. It's how you navigate them that will determine whether they are something you can move forward from or not. Learning how to communicate appropriately with the people you live with is the best and most mature way to handle even the most annoying habits of your housemates. And if that doesn't work, remember, you don't have to live with them forever!