Yikes! Here are 8 ways to spot a nightmare Exeter housemate

The housing scramble is one of university life’s biggest nightmares- especially in first year. You’ve only just met a handful of people, and are suddenly expected to grab the closest few and live with them for a year? It’s a stressful situation. But what’s worse than the stress of finding a house? Realising too late that your housemates aren’t quite what you expected. Maybe they seemed great at first, but as time went on, little habits started to add up. Sharing a space with new people can be a challenge, and sometimes personalities and lifestyles don’t quite match up. So, here’s how to spot a nightmare housemate… maybe you’re already recognising some patterns.

1. The one who wants to sign too quickly

Sometimes there is one person in a group who’s just a bit too eager. They want to take the first house they find, they hurry their friends along with signing and try to steamroll past any issues or questions. Be wary of these people – there could be a reason why they don’t want to give you any time to think…

2. Delays signing

Delaying for too long can be just as dodgy too. Slowing down the process as much as possible, often with vague excuses, can be a HUGE warning sign. Maybe they’re trying to find a “better group” to live with, leaving you a person short and at risk of losing your house. Or maybe they’re trying to establish their control in everything and make you desperate. Either way, don’t let yourself be strung along or this will be just the beginning of your problems.

3. Dramatic changes in budget

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Don’t get me wrong, correct budgeting is an essential part of house hunting – sadly we don’t all have Daddy’s trust fund to support a lifestyle of TP Venom’s and Signet rings – but it’s important to stick to an agreed upon budget.

When a housemate suddenly changes on this (such as demanding somewhere more expensive at short notice) this is a clear warning sign for behaviour that will only get worse after moving in. The last thing you want is to be haggling over who’s turn it is to buy milk or begging someone to cough up their 10 quid for the WIFI bill – if it’s not too late, get out of there while you still can.

4. Disappears after signing

An issue that happens all too often… Perhaps this is a consequence of having to sign so early for a house you won’t even move into for a year. After all, it is natural for friendships to change throughout a year, and if you don’t see a person you’re living with as often as you did in freshers, that can be normal. However, what isn’t normal (and is a definite warning sign!) is when a person disappears the moment the papers are signed. One minute you’re agreeing to live together, the next, you’re left on delivered.

Unfortunately, this comes too late to fix it… but at least you know in advance that this person could cause problems. There is nothing worse than not realising someone is a troublemaker until the moment your landlord is threatening to sue.

5. Never leaves the house

Another red flag is the roommate who never leaves the house and rarely leaves their room. Sure, a duvet day is needed once in a while, but with so many places to be – lectures, jobs, seeing friends, taking part in societies – this can often be a sign of something worse going on (and if coupled with missing dishes, usually means a nasty mould problem is growing…)

6. Hides communication with landlord

Alas, one that is only ever learnt the hard way. Open communication with the landlord between tenants is essential, and group chats are the key to a successful house. If a roommate is hiding key issues with a landlord this is a SCREAMING red flag. Everyone’s entitled to their privacy, but when the roof over your head is in question…I urge you to find out why.

7. Joint contract

Don’t make the mistake others have made… when signing your contract, if a housemate wants a joint contract instead of an individual one, RUN.

To simplify the difference:

Independent – you are responsible for your own share, and that’s all

Joint and several – if one person defaults, it’s on you all

8. Distant ties

The final warning sign of a nightmare housemate is one with distant ties…living with your best friend’s co-worker’s boyfriend’s first year roommate may not be the best solution.

Don’t get me wrong, surprises happen and sometimes we have to find someone on overheard if someone drops out. Sometimes we have to house hunt on Overheard because we signed onto a house with an ex, or a placement year fell through. But at the very least, meet for coffee with the new housemate first, and establish the vibes…don’t let a total stranger into your home.