Related Links: Parties - Having a bash and mopping up afterwards. Choosing A Flatmate - Renting a flat on your own can be hopelessly expensive. Search

Bathroom

• leave it as your mum would wish to find it
• clean bath and basin after use (every time)
• clean toilet after use if you've made it unpleasant while you were using it - that means looking at it, inside and out, to check, then doing whatever is necessary
• general clean every other week, when it's your turn
• buy green liquid, soap, toilet paper as necessary, IN ADVANCE
• two hours wallowing in the tub might be your idea of heaven on earth, but to everyone else trying to get ready for college/party/work, or even if they're just dying for a crap, it's a guaranteed wind-up. Check first that no one urgently needs to use the bathroom before you settle in
• don't leave immersion heaters on as they tend to boil over and strip the wallpaper. Unless, of course, you are redecorating...

• remember what YOU bought and throw it away when it's old
• clean spills - fridges have a way of becoming repellent and nauseating within days if you don't
• kill the ice monster by defrosting at least every 2 months, more often if the door doesn't fit properly
• never put bits of onion in the fridge unless they're in a sealed box - onion smell is trying to take over the planet and Starfleet Command are relying on YOU to save us...

• wash up and put things away as often as possible
• try to keep surfaces clear
• sweep and wipe floor whenever you can
• take rubbish out when the bin is full
• use ventilator or fan when cooking smells or steams a lot (remember to turn it off)
• don't put mucky plates etc on the draining rack - that's where the clean stuff goes
• potatoes should never have stems - if it's growing, plant it outside

...and if you need to ask someone to turn their music down, don't kick the door in and scream abuse. This will only prolong any potential grief, plus you might get your face smashed in by way of a reply. Ask politely, remembering to use the P word, and chances are they will do as you request - people often think the walls are thicker than they are, or just forgot to check to see if anyone was in, etc. But if you and your housemates' good-natured pleas are ignored and you feel like you're living in the Ministry Of Sound, take it to the landlord (as with any other sharing-related house problem).

Partners
The love of your life spending the weekend with you shouldn't be a problem for anybody; however, if they effectively move in because parting is such sweet sorrow, this can lead to various conflicts. While they are soothing your fevered brow as lover in residence, they are also using up electricity/gas/water/bog paper/coffee/milk/bathroom time etc, and the rest of the house may well expect some extra financial contribution from you both - fair enough. You are responsible for your guest(s), so make sure they don't enter other people's rooms, consume other people's food and drink, mistakenly or otherwise (didn't anyone watch This Life?)

Your room

• clean your room weekly
• open windows whenever possible
• do not damage any fittings or furniture
• report any problems ASAP

• don't leave windows unlocked when you go out
• clean up spills - soak up as much liquid as possible, put salt on wine, tea, coffee, then rinse thoroughly IMMEDIATELY
• if you have a fire, make sure it's out before you go to bed - double check that gas fires are switched off properly

• don't erase messages unless you know they've all been heard
• keep a note of all your calls (time, duration, distance)
• if you've already been chatting for 30 minutes and someone else needs to make a call, let them.
• Phone hogs, like bath hogs, can drive people over the edge...

• outside, unless it's guests and it's raining, then in YOUR room only
• use an ashtray, not the floor
• clean ashtrays, but not in the washing up water unless you're particularly fond of old-fag-flavoured tea