Tips for living in a house-share

For a wide variety of reasons that I am not going into here,  I am moving out of my nice -comfortable all to myself 2 bedroom flat to a double room in a house of multiple occupancy.  It will be me and 5 blokes for now, though it could easily change to females in there as well, as its a rent by the week -easy-peasy type of place.   

That said, I haven't actually lived with any roomates in 11 years and its been 6 years since I actually lived with anyone else. 

So I'm a bit rusty and I don't want to be a bad roommate.   Any one have any tips that can get me started?

Thanks!! 

Talk to your new housemates first and foremost and find out what the norm is.

Some good things to clarify:

Overnight guests (I personally would be annoyed if someone's partner basically moved in without contributing to the household expenses).  But at the same time I think it's reasonable to have someone stay the night from time to time.

Parties

What things are shared and who buys them;  Milk, bread, toilet paper, etc.

Cleaning.  I'm not great at washing up right after I cook my dinner.  I tend to leave it a couple of hours...  would that be acceptable?  Are you going to find that some people don't clean up after themselves and therefore you are cleaning up after them?

The best advice I have is to be relaxed and roll with the way things are.

Thanks, that's a great start KFdancer! 

Luckily, this landlady actually has a cleaner come in once a week to clean all bathrooms, kitchen, and common areas and when I went to visit, the place was in great shape.   However, I will need to suss out the washing up -cooking situation, for sure. 

The best advice I have is to be relaxed and roll with the way things are.

Great, this is easy for me!  I am really easy peasy.   

I think it's important to understand people's views (and make yours known) on cleanliness and noise. These can often be points of contention when you live with others, but don't have the same views and don't work towards a middle ground.

Rolling with it is also important! Know what's important to you, as these are the things that will require negotiation. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much! 

If your housemates are either a) the kind of people who feel they are martyrs if they have to clean the merest speck of dust left by someone else, or b) horrible slobs who never notice the filth that surrounds them, then don't move in.  I have lived with both those kinds of people, and I wouldn't recommend it.  Also, sleeping and waking hours.  Morning people and night people should not cohabitate.

Well some of the biggest obstacles are taken care of in that there's a cleaner who comes! No one getting upset about the state of the bathroom! 

Definitely what everyone else said when it comes to dishes, noise, etc., however you should see about laundry as well. Is there a schedule for that? Does each person get a specific day or is it first come first served?

Thanks all! All moved in, spent my first night there.   Everyone is really nice and welcoming.  Good start. 

 Looks like I have taken over the kitchen cupboards, oops.  I feel bad already. 
    I love to cook and have tons and tons of spices and ingredients that are too costly and good to toss. 
Based upon the food in the fridge, freezer, etc- I don't think these blokes are into cooking or vegetables! 

Yes, will need to sort out the laundry issue. Also, I am wondering who buys TP, handsoap, etc -  So will need to find out about that as well....   

Looks like I have taken over the kitchen cupboards, oops.  I feel bad already. 
    I love to cook and have tons and tons of spices and ingredients that are too costly and good to toss. 
Based upon the food in the fridge, freezer, etc- I don't think these blokes are into cooking or vegetables! 

Taking over the cupboards isn't necessarily a bad thing. It sounds as if they might be pleased for you to do some cooking!

Yes, will need to sort out the laundry issue. Also, I am wondering who buys TP, handsoap, etc -  So will need to find out about that as well....   

With previous flatmates, we've had a jar where we all put the same amount monthly or weekly.... or whenever we remember.    When we needed TP or soap, someone bought it with that money (or reimbursed themselves later).  When the jar got low, we top it up together. 

So far so good with the roomates.  They're all friendly and funny, but keep to themselves, and work different shifts, etc. All is working out OK though, happy to say!