Well personally, I've lived in both and shared - we tried doing communal stuff for about 3 weeks but someone kept using the fairy liquid too much and then others were using way too much toilet paper (I mean it was two ply - who needs loads of toilet paper when you're taking a dump when it's two ply?!). So we gradually decided to to use our own washing up liquid, foil, toilet roll, spray etc.
But we have this very nice flatmate who just buys all the toilet paper and fair liquid! It's bizarre cause we have never asked him to and we've said he doesn't have to but he says it's fine! I'm grateful but I use my own toilet paper anyway.
I live with 5 other guys... (I did ask for mixed sex so I was EXTREMELY unlucky)!