[Orphan]

From September 3 friends from university will be living in my house. What are the most common problems that crop up when peple house share? Do I need to sort out the house rules in advance?

[Dmon1Unlimited]

i will be stalking this because im curious to.... my guess would be assigning duties e.g. cleaning the toilet

[Hello Laura!]

Don't steal each others food.

Actually clean up after yourself.

Don't leave dishes in the sink.

No sex in communal areas.

Smoking is or isn't allowed.

[Shelly_x]

Cleaning, noise and stealing of food are the most common problems I'd say.

[Mockery]

Not to be a boring sod who doesn't even socialise with his/hers own housemates.

Well at least that's my only rule.

[MathematicsKiller]

Establish the role each roommate would play in the event of an apocalyptic scenario.

[for_healing_only]

I have only 1 main rule:

Do not use my bathroom under any circumstances

Seriously even if you are going to explode, use your own. One too many times of finding soemone passed out and my floor covered in a mixture of poop/sick, was enough to jade me forever.

[Katie_11]

My suggestions:

Cleaning rota
Rules over shared phone/ internet if you have one
Not barging into others rooms
Keeping noise down after a certain time in the evening (i'd suggest 11?)
Keeping noise down around exam times/ coursework deadlines
Not leaving stuff lying around communal areas/ dirty dishes in sink etc.
Paying bills etc on time

[Helenia]

It's worth sorting out basic things over the first few days of living together. Several things have already been suggested, other things I'd consider are: -

Food - are you going to cook together, or everyone for themselves? Is all food going to be bough individually or will there be some communal things like milk/bread? Should that be bought by whoever finishes it off, or should there be a rota?

Bathroom - communal toiletries/toilet roll, or individual? Who buys toilet roll?

Cleaning equipment/rota - stuff to be bought for the house or individually? Is everyone responsible for cleaning their own rooms? Don't forget to include bin emptying on your rota.

Rules about guests, whether ONS, gf/bf or random other friends/relatives.

[FinnLassie]

Decide about the kitchenware - do people bring their own? Or will you buy pots and pans together? Who uses what? Will everything be for everyone to use?

I would also make it clear that what isn't yours, don't use it unless you've been given permission to do so. I know people (myself included ) who really don't like it when people borrow forks, shampoo, toothpaste etc without asking first.