Navigating Second Year Living: Top Tips to Avoid Housemate Conflicts

1. Paying Shared Bills on Time

⚠️ The Issue: It’s the night before bill payment day, and you find yourself holding the bag for most of the utilities.

🔧 The Fix: First up, check that rental contract - are utilities included? If not, gather the gang and sort out a payment plan. Do some research on comparison websites for the best deals. If possible register everyone in the house so no one has to take individual responsibility. 

If you can't add everyone to the bill make sure everyone sets up standing orders/direct debits to ensure the person paying receives the money on time, every time.

2. Recurring Costs

⚠️ The Issue: Another shopping trip, another depletion of essentials like toilet paper. Sound familiar?

🔧 The Fix: Time to play ‘Robin Hood’ with your housemates. Pool some cash into a communal fund and take it in turns to be the shopper-in-charge. Keep those shelves stocked with toilet roll, bin bags, and all the other goodies everyone needs.

3. Energy Costs

⚠️ The Issue: Your utilities were included before, so leaving your kitchen lights on, cranking up the heat to sauna-like temperatures, or 20 minute showers probably weren’t on your mind, but they will be now – especially if there's a recurring culprit!

🔧 The Fix: Talk it out, folks! Set some ground rules on conserving energy and keep an eye on those bills - especially if you're on a variable tariff. Remind each other to flick off those switches when leaving a room. A little communication goes a long way.

4. Keeping it Clean

⚠️ The Issue: Remember when you first moved in and everything was clean and in its place? Now it’s more like a scene from a horror movie.

🔧 The Fix: Luckily you've had a year in halls to get to know each others' habits and what works for your gang. Whether it's whipping out a rota or designating chores just make sure everyone takes their fair share in keeping the space sparkling. You never know, you might find yourself missing the motivation brought by those kitchen inspections!

5. Security

⚠️ The Issue: You might all be pretty used the comforting clack of a Yale lock as your door locks automatically behind you, but now it’s your responsibly to check the doors and windows are secure when you leave or on a night. 

🔧 The Fix: Let’s be real – safety first! Double-check those locks (especially if you've come back a little...merry) and minimise your risk by stashing away your valuables so they're not visible from your windows. We're talking console controllers not left of sofas or laptops left plugged in on coffee tables. It’s all about that peace of mind.

Alrighty, folks, there you have it! Your crash course in housemate survival for the second year.

Embrace the chaos, communicate like champs, and remember, you’re all in this together. Here’s to a year filled with unforgettable memories, late-night chats, and maybe a few squabbles along the way. Cheers to second-year shenanigans! 🎉