Do you know how to handle them? If not, help is at hand!
As the first term of the year comes to an end, likely so too is some of that initial love you felt for your new housemates. Over time the shine will have worn off, as your housemates gradually began to reveal their true selves and slip into their annoying habits—habits they initially tried hard to hide. If you now find yourself in this situation, you will no doubt be familiar with some of the following characters, aka housemates from hell. But do you know how to handle them? If not, help is at hand!
The Neat Freak
They say cleanliness is next to Godliness, and to begin with the neat freak really did seem like a Godsend, keeping the place nice and tidy. But now? Well, their obsessive-compulsive cleaning and need for constant order is almost as suffocating as the overwhelming smell of cleaning products that permeates the place on a daily basis. And God help you if you dare leave a mug on the side or mix a knife with the spoons. Sure, it’s no big deal to you, but to the neat freak it’s a cutlery catastrophe sure to tip them over the edge.
How to handle the neat freak
The best way to handle a neat freak is to learn to compromise. Sit down together and calmly explain that while you appreciate and understand their need for order, it’s a need that is exceptional compared to that of the average person—i.e. you. The neat freak needs to understand that neither you nor your housemates are likely to ever live up to their sparkling standards, but you do appreciate that everyone needs to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness. Together, make a list—highlighting the problems their habits cause you, and letting them outline what makes them uncomfortable. Then find a compromise that works for everyone.
The Food Thief (The Gannet)
Sure, we’ve all done it—used a splash of someone’s milk or a bit of butter when we’ve run out ourselves. The food thief, however, thinks nothing of eating your food on a regular basis.
Rather than buying their own, they simply help themselves to their flatmates’. And they don’t just stop at the basics—any and all food is up for grabs. Leave that leftover pizza in the fridge at your peril.
How to handle a food thief
As tempting as it may be to spike your food with laxatives and teach them a lesson, this is not the way to handle a food thief. Chances are they’ll just retaliate—not to mention it’s dangerous. Try appealing to their better nature. Leave a note on the fridge (not the passive-aggressive kind), or speak to them directly if you know who it is. Often, being called out is enough to stop the behaviour. Other options include using a mini fridge or “thief-proof” containers, although this might backfire if the neat freak throws your food away during a cleaning spree.
The Music Lover
The music lover—there’s usually one in every flat. You get it, music is their life, but do they really have to blast it at full volume all day, every day? You might love Post Malone as much as the next person, but when it’s three in the morning and you have a lecture in six hours, suddenly he loses his appeal.
How to handle a music lover
The number one rule when dealing with the music lover is not to antagonise them—otherwise you can forget getting a decent night’s sleep all year. While you might have to knock loudly just to be heard over their speakers, keep things calm and ask politely if they can turn it down during certain hours. If all else fails, club together with your flatmates and buy them some wireless headphones—problem solved.
The Couple
Whether you’re in halls or a house share, living with a couple presents a variety of challenges—especially if only one half of the couple is actually an official housemate.
In a house share, there’s nothing more frustrating than going to watch TV only to find the unofficial housemate has taken over, or stepping into the shower only to discover there’s no hot water left. In halls, facilities might be less of an issue—but paper-thin walls can introduce a whole new level of awkwardness. If you’re unlucky enough to be next door to a very loved-up couple… we feel for you.
How to handle living with a couple
If increased utility usage is the issue, check your bills. If you can show a clear rise that aligns with their partner staying over, it’s reasonable to raise it. If noise is the problem, it might be time to borrow the music lover’s headphones.
The Slob
Often found glued to their PS4, surrounded by dirty clothes and dishes, the slob is the neat freak’s worst nightmare. Their plates are less “used” and more “biohazard”, their food is questionable at best, and the smell from their room raises serious concerns. You’d just hope it’s not the neat freak who finally snapped.
How to handle a messy housemate
As harsh as it may be, the only way to break through is a reality check. Call them out—calmly—and explain the impact their behaviour is having on everyone else. A bit of accountability (and maybe a bit of embarrassment) can go a long way in changing habits.
So there you have it—five housemates from hell and how to handle them. Although when you live with Vita Student, of course, it’s problem solved. With a self-contained studio, housekeeping included, your own fridge, and a friendly team on site 24/7, you’ll never want to go back to the dark days of difficult housemates.
