Nobody said it was easy to share a flat, and as we leave September behind, many will have realised this. As data from idealista shows, the demand for shared flats grew 78% in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period of the previous year. There are many aspects that determine a good coexistence with roommates, whether they are economic-fiscal or personal issues.

¡But do not worry! Today we offer you some tips to not only get out of this experience alive, but to learn to enjoy it as a family and that in time you will no longer live in a house, but in a home.

The price of rent is usually the most relevant aspect when deciding to share housing, as groups such as students seek to share expenses that are often inaccessible when living alone. For this reason, it is advisable to think beforehand about the type of rental we are looking for, whether it is joint or shared. The former is recommended for partners who know each other beforehand and have a relationship of trust and mutual respect, as in the event of a non-payment by one of the members, it is the others who are responsible to the owner, paying the corresponding part. On the other hand, joint tenancy is based on personalised contracts with each of the tenants, so that in the event that one of them does not pay the monthly rent, he/she will be responsible for the non-payment.

When looking for a roommate, the best thing to do is to draw up a list of questions to ask them when you interview them. In it you can include the aspects that are most relevant to you, where you can become more “manic”, but bearing in mind that no one is perfect (no, you"re not either, youó reózeal). The most common questions are those related to the common areas, such as if you have a pet, if you are a smoker, or what you are studying or currently working on to know your approximate schedule, if you usually bring people home, etc.

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Once this sieve has been passed, it is time to live together. For this, there is no fixed rule that sets our limits as if we were robots, but there is a fundamental premise, and it is none other than respect in common areas of the home. Inside your room you can do "whatever you want", in inverted commas because habits such as noise late at night or poor hygiene, which can affect the rest of the roommates despite not being a common area, are not acceptable. Regarding these, leave things as you found them (or better if possible), work out a daily chore plan together, and collaborate as much as you can.

It is clear that there will always be some friction, but it is something normal in cohabitation, the important thing is to solve it together. Because sharing a flat has its advantages and disadvantages, but ¡it can be an unforgettable adventure from which you will take friends for life!

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