For first year students living in the halls, flatting is an exciting prospect—offering freedom, independence, and a break from structured living. But many approach with unrealistic expectations or a lack of understanding about the challenges involved. While others feel
apprehensive or uncertain, and for many veterans, they are looking for a better place, flats, or just how to
survive. Regardless of if you fit in this category, here are some tips that can help you survive and thrive in a
flat. Whether that is dealing with difficult flatmates, or ensuring you aren’t one yourself.

Choose wisely. If I had to only give one piece of advice that could make or break your entire flatting experience it is to choose wisely. The good choices will have you within your own sitcom, and the wrong choices will reap war stories. To help you out, here are the three most
important things to consider.

First is your flatmates, these are the people who you will have to interact with the most. Now it may be tempting
at first to move in with your friends, but sit back and consider for a second. Many friendships have ended when flatting together. And sometimes you cannot
choose your flatmates, or have to move into an already established flat. Hang out regularly, or maybe don’t. For some flatmates, hanging out all the time, and being best mates is the way to go. They will have more grace, and genuinely look out for you, and as for others, the
less you see each other, the better. There are sometimes people that for no tangible reason, just do not get
along, and other times it is obvious. With these people, do not give them any more ammo or time to cause problems or get rid of you. This is something you will need to feel out for yourselves.

You must also consider the landlord; the best landlords, will have your place maintained, give you a bit of freedom. A good landlord will maintain the property, respect your privacy, and communicate fairly. A bad one will make your flatting life hell, letting the flat fall into disrepair. This can be either the absentee landlord you can’t get a hold of, or the too present landlord that won’t leave you alone.

And lastly is the flat itself. Now hear me out, you may be wondering why the actual house is so low down on the list but bear with me. It does not matter how nice the house is, a bad flatmate and bad landlord will ruin all of that. Choose the flat that is best for you, distance, rooms number. Do you want a party hub? A place to spend much of your time in? Or simply somewhere to lie your head? Make sure you choose the one best for that, and that your flatmates and optionally the landlord are onboard too.

Keep stuff clean. There is nothing worse in a flat than not doing the dishes flattie. Or they leave their washing around one. A messy flat is a breeding ground for conflict, and unidentified mould (or fungi idk). A little effort on keeping your stuff together goes a long way. Some simple hygiene can really help, take showers. For some of those grimy flatters that don’t care, I hope your landlord doesn’t also, because there is no faster way to be booted out than not maintaining the property. This also means to not damage or just have a bit of care for your flat. Bringing company over and being liked, it is good to have at least a basic level of organisation and cleanliness. It doesn’t have to be a display home, but as long as there aren’t plates of week old food, dirty draws and an unplaceable and unpleasant odour, then you are probably doing alright. If you really need to be messy, leave it in your room.