Sharing a house or flat is an inevitable part of life. Normally, it is commonplace during University, the years following graduation, and for some, throughout their career too.
While sometimes you will be fortunate and come across a great bunch of people to live with, unfortunately – as most can attest to – this is rare.
There are many annoying habits that flatmates do that can make the experience difficult. These habits range from annoying to frustrating to disgusting and down-right sickening!
1. Dirty Dishes
First up we have dirty dishes. Why is it that some people just can’t do the simple task of cleaning up after themselves?
The dirty dishes just sit on the side, not only taking up valuable space, but also attracting a colony of ants, flies and just about anything else… a[art from the person who left them there.
2. Not turning out lights
Another annoying habit is leaving lights on. Of course, when you’re in a room, by all means turn on the light – that’s what they are there for.
But then as you depart said room, is it really that difficult to flick the light switch? Apparently, for some people it is.
3. Shrieking on the phone
In this day and age phone calls are common, especially when a person isn’t able to be with their family or closest friends. A nice, calm and quiet call is always fine.
But when you just want a bit of peace and quiet and all you can hear is the voice of your flatmate shrieking down the phone, it can be infuriating. It is as if the entire street needs to know that person’s plans for the evening.
4. Taking food and drink
A slice of bread here, a drop of milk there – it all starts out so simply. But if you don’t nip this issue in the bud, then this will only get worse as the months go by.
Having made the money to buy the goods, and having made the effort to acquire them, it is then incredibly frustrating if someone else decides to help themselves to your food and drink.
5. Not removing hair from the plug hole
Sharing a bathroom can be a hellacious experience. In fact, we could write an article on the bathroom alone. But surely the worst habit is when a person does not remove their hair from the plughole.
There are few things worse in life than having to remove someone else’s hair from the plug. Yuck.
6. Playing their TV shows too loud
A bit like the phone call – some people watch TV at a very high volume. The house turns into an outside cinema, with the whole street seemingly being able to overhear the watching habits of that person.
It makes it difficult to watch your own TV, and generally relax. This definitely grinds you down over time.
7. Overdoing the heating
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to how much heating is enough. But the fact that heating isn’t given away for free doesn’t seem to register with many.
Some will happily keep the heating on hour after hour – almost turning the place into a furnace. Then, come the end of the month when the bill arrives – they are supposedly shocked at the amount due.
8. Leaving the toilet seat up
Another bathroom-related issue is when the toilet seat is left up. For females, the toilet seat being left up is a common annoyance. It is questionable though – why does convention have it that women deserve the toilet to be exactly how they wish it to be, but men cannot?
Either way, sharing a toilet is bound to cause problems. In many cases, a male and female combination just doesn’t work.
9. Boyfriend/girlfriend moving in
This is one of the ultimate bug-bears. Sometimes, a boyfriend or girlfriend of a housemate will unofficially move in. They use everything and act like a full-blown member of the house in every way… apart from when it comes to paying the bills.
They might go for a few days, maybe a few weeks if you’re lucky. But needless to say, they will come back soon enough.
10. Stumbling in early in the morning
When you are sleeping, the last thing you want is to be woken up and disturbed. But some people have the terrible situation of waking up in the dead of night to hear their housemate stumbling in after a night out. No whispering or tip-toeing, instead – shouting and stomping.
Not only is it rude and inconsiderate, but it is also annoying. Sleep is so important – something that some people seem to forget.
The Takeaway
These are just 10 of the hundreds, if not thousands, of annoying habits of flatmates. No one is perfect, but there are so many needless habits that cause problems for so many.
It can be difficult to get through a houseshare, but most will eventually get to that wonderful point when you can afford your own home, or a one-bed flat.
