The Ultimate Student Guide to Surviving Shared Living

1 min read • April 22 2025

Moving into your first student house? Living with others can be great fun, but it can also come with a few challenges.

A bit of planning and clear communication early on can make shared living much easier. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate student guide to surviving shared living!

Set Some House Rules

Living in a student house can be one of the best parts of Uni life, but it can also be stressful, especially if you’re constantly navigating mess, noise, or clashing routines. That’s why agreeing on student house rules early on is a game-changer.

Whether it’s about how often to clean the bathroom, what time is too late for blasting music, or how long guests can stay, setting clear expectations from the start means fewer arguments in the house.

TSEG’s top tip: Create a shared document or printed list with any agreed house rules. It doesn’t have to be strict, just clear, so everyone knows where they stand.

Some key things to cover:

  • Cleaning responsibilities (rota or shared tasks)
  • Guest policy and overnight stays
  • Noise levels and quiet hours
  • Shared item use (e.g., toilet paper, milk, Netflix accounts!)

Everyone’s got different habits and standards, so putting everything on the table at the start will help avoiding awkward conversations later down the line!

Sort Your Student Bills

Let’s be real, student bills can be one of the biggest sources of tension in a house. From chasing people for their share, to confusion over who owes what, things can get awkward if there isn’t a clear plan.

That’s where splitting student bills fairly and evenly comes in. With TSEG, each housemate gets their own account and only pays their share, no joint liability, no stress if someone’s late, and nobody needs to play accountant.

Stressing about your student bills isn’t fun. With our student bill splitting, all your housemates will pay their fair share to reduce any confusion and to help avoid conflicts. To do this, we’ll combine all your household bills into one monthly statement which can be split equally amongst your housemates.

It helps keeps things simple, fair, and way less awkward! You can view our different packages here.

Respecting Shared Spaces in your Student Accommodation

A Living in student accommodation means sharing spaces with housemates, and while that can be a lot of fun, it also requires a bit of respect and understanding. Whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, or the bins, following a few basic etiquette rules can make a huge difference in creating a harmonious living environment.

Firstly, the kitchen, often the busiest space in any student house. To keep things chill, always clean up after yourself, wipe down the surfaces, and put dishes away. No one wants to deal with a sink full of dishes when they’re hungry or trying to cook!

In a house with several people, bathroom time can become a precious commodity. A little planning goes a long way, so whether it’s agreeing on schedules when things get busy (usually just before a night out) or simply being mindful of how long you’re in there. A quick, considerate knock on the door can save everyone from waiting around.

Next up, probably everyone’s least favourite chore… taking the bins out!

No one likes to do it, but it must be a shared responsibility. If you see the bins are full, don’t just ignore it, just take them out. Keeping the house clean is a team effort, and it’s one of those small tasks that can have a big impact on everyone’s mood.

Living in student accommodation doesn’t have to be stressful. A bit of mutual respect, clear communication, and a willingness to pitch in when needed will go a long way toward making shared living an enjoyable experience for everyone.


By following our simple tips, not only will it make shared living smoother, but it’ll also create better memories with your housemates, making your time in student accommodation far more enjoyable.

And if you’re ready to simplify your student bills, get a quote for our hassle-free bill splitting today!

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