Learning English

Is sharing a house your idea of heaven - or hell?

Have you ever shared a flat or house with other people? Maybe this was with friends, family or even strangers. Was it a good experience - or did your housemates cross the line and do something unacceptable?

Maybe you shared a property like you can see in these pictures?

Complete the activity

Write a paragraph about your experiences of sharing accommodation. Try to use some of the vocabulary from the unit and some verbs about sharing accommodation and living together like:

• move in
• move out
• tidy up
• get on
• take turns to do something
• fall out
• make up

Check Sessions 1, 2 and 3 if you aren't sure about any of the words.

Thank you for emailing your comments to us. We enjoyed reading them. This task is now closed.

Here are a few of the comments that we received.

Antonio, Spain

I moved out my parent's house five years ago. I moved into a rent house with my sister. Living with brothers or sisters isn't very usual in my city, but we needed to because of many reasons.

I'm five years younger than my sister, and I have a good relationship with her. But, when you started living with other person for first time there would have a lot of conflicts. We had conflicts about the furniture of the house, about the payments, etc. One of these conflicts was when my sister brought to the house a cat. She wanted to had one but, by that time, we hadn't finished the move and we had a lot of work preparing the house to live. We had an arguing because of this.

Later I was changing my opinion and now I love animals a lot more, and now I have two cats. My sister moved out to other house three years ago, but I have good memories of the time I've lived with her.

Bruno, Brazil

I moved with my wife to Canada one month ago.

When we decided to come to Canada, we thought it would be a good idea to move into a homestay for two month before we start to look for apartments for rent. In that way we'd have the opportunity to get to know the city and its neighborhoods.

When we first got here, we were welcomed for a housemate, who it wasn't the house owner, and the strange thing is that it took almost a week for us to meet the house owner. I think he was shy. But after that, he invited us for dinner and we really get on with him, he is a nice person.

However, we've been counting the days to move out to our new apartment. That will be better for us, because we like everything neat and clean and here at the homestay it is a messy and they don't like to tidy up the place.

Iris Zhang, China

Since I graduated from university, I have left my hometown for 5 years.

At the early 2 years, I went to Shanghai for my first job. I was working as a store manager in a Japanese Company there. It is well-known that the price of house in Shanghai is extremely high, the rent price as well. At that time, I had no choice but rent a sharing flat. In fact, there were millions of newcomers liking me. I think 40% of population need a flatmate in Shanghai. It is a black memory when I met 4 agents in the spare time per day while I worked with Japanese in the company. As a women, I had more details to care when I searched a new flat, for example: the people who had already lived in it. I just hoped they are nice, silent and tidy.

Finally, after half month I found a comparatively better place to live. The price was economic and the position was near the city center. Although the standard of decoration was so poor, the furniture was so old. And I had to live with a couple.

But come on, I was a newcomer, I shouldn't be too picky.

I vividly remember that the couple always had a conflict at night. The lady looked like very tender but when she started to quarrel, her voice liked an angry tiger. Relatively the man was always silent. But when they got well, the wife cooked very good dishes. Sometimes they shared me the leftovers. The man told me they had been in Shanghai for 8 years .Their salary were much higher than mine but still couldn't afford to buy a flat. It was not a happy story to share.

And my flatmates started to complain the noise I made when I went home very late. But I understood. They were good people.

I had rent that flat for 1 year. At the end of 2014, I quitted the job.

Because of this experience I realized I need to recharge and refresh myself. Now I am so happy as a newcomer in Glasgow.

Manuel, Spain

It happened when I was a student at University of Madrid.

My father had bought a student flat for us to study there if we were able to pass our exams.

He moved in his sixty year old brother who had got a new job as librarian civil servant.

He was going to stay with us while getting a new site for him and his family.

Not very tidy, too much tv, we need to establish a turn system for the bathroom and tv, a permanent comunication of hour to get in or get out to avoid disgusting situations.

Peter, Vietnam

Like in London, Hanoi is sky rocketing in real estate  and rent house price. I and my wife got married three years ago and my wife moved in my house to live with my parents. There are three generations in my big family, I used to live with my parents but my wife was a new comer. Although my parents are nice and kind they look after my little daughter, we need a lot of compromises so till now we don't have some big conflicts. My wife helps my mum to cook and tidy at weekends when she doesn't have to go to work. Our life is comparatively easy than other young couples living in Hanoi because we have had a lot of supports from my parents like house, caring for babies. We appreciate them so much and I hope to earn money to reward them a tourism trip overseas.

Oanh, Vietnam

I moved to Ho Chi Minh City and lived with my sibling, everything had gone so well.

Then, my sister, who is my aunt's child moved to live with us and the story began.

At first, we were so happy, we chatted, had meal together, made jokes, shopping together. It was heaven when I had another girlfriend.

But a few months later, I found that I could not get along with her any longer. She was really untidy, She hung her clothes on the wall and didn't think to tidy them up sometimes. For two or three weeks I went to the school all the times, she cooked rice to eat and let all the leftovers in the rice cooker until mould must had grown on it.

In our country, girls usually use fabric gloves to keep their arms away from sun burn. Once, she got her gloves losted, I lent her mine, she kept them for herself. Then she make a step too far by used my shampoo, bath milk and others without gave me a word.

It was truly hell when I stuck with her that time!

Fortunately, after that, we seperated to live in different districts and I was released from her. Hooray!

Jūratė Genytė, Lithuania

Oh yes, I had a flatmate from Hell. Although I had him only for few days and it was a long time ago, but I still remember! I must admit, he didn't look at all like a Hell resident. No horns and no tail,  just a charming smile on his face and a bag full of wonderful stories - that's all he got. I met him on a beautiful autumn day on our student campus. He told me he was traveling from country to country looking for adventures and small jobs to earn some money to survive. We talked, we got on. It appeared he had nowhere to stay for a night. I invited him to the students dorms where I had a shared room with my course mate. We let him sleep on the floor in the sleeping bag and we shared our food with him. The other night he came back with a crowd of his new-found friends and they threw the all-night party. They completely trashed the place, including the staircase next to our room! They accidentally set my blanket on fire and had a joy to fight it successfully. In the morning we left our new flatmate and his guests sleeping on the floor  and went to our courses. When we came back in the evening we found out that the party was anew. Music was playing loud and the fridge was quite empty, the room was stinking of sweat and tobacco smoke. We had fallen out about it and the next day our new flatmate moved out. He wasn't a bad person, but he was terrible to live with!

Cindy, Seoul, South Korea

I moved in Seoul when I was in early 20's. I didn't know people in Seoul anywhere. So I decided to live with my friend who is my old friend. She is always tidy up overly but I'm a messy person. We had a trouble with cleaning room. Eventually, we had took turns to do cleaning room and made up discussion for cleaning position. It was great solution. And then, we can live with for 2 years more.

Sana'a, Saudi Arabia

When I was 19 I had to move in with strangers. I thought that it would be a scary experience but it was not. It was completely interesting. We cooperate in everything, tiding up, cleaning, cooking and washing. We have never fallen out. I found it is very comfortable as they are strangers and they don't you before. However, I used to miss my lovely friends and family but I had tried to in touch with them. Nowadays, I am missing those strangers.

Juan Carlos, Colombia

Hello everybody, my flat-sharing story was when, I was in Arequipa Peru by three month, in that time I was studying at the University

When I arrived to Arequipa city, I had to search an house to live there with an university friend. My friend and I get on well during all career, and when, We were living in that house, We had several disagreements but, always  make up in the end.

Once we had to take turns at a factory because, we didn't have money for pay of rent. We worked as watchmen in this factory for sixty days.

I can't forget this travel because the food that We cooked had a strange taste, fortunately we never had a disease for the food.

After of those three months, I moved in at my old  house in Bogotá, Colombia.

Sarah

I'm a university student and I'm 19. Attending university makes me lead a new life, which means I have to stay away from home. I'm living in a house that I rented with 2 girls that are in same university of mine. We hadn't known one another before. After my online announcement, they moved in and I got to understand them. Cause we're from different places, it's obvious that discrepancies among us exists ranging from dielect to hobby and habit and characteristics. I'm kinda an organized person and I cannot stand it when our room is messy. I'm the one who tidy the room most frequently while the ọther two prefer to roam down the street everyday. They also take it for granted when I clean the room and dry their clothes. However, instead of being annoyed, I feel it's more interesting as they're all easy-going and kindly guys. Actually we really get along well with one another. We share a lot of things such as local cultures or study program! Especially, when there is someone's birthday, we have a very big party to have a chance to be closer. Now I realize that i'm much lucky to share accomodation with them because they're decent ones. All I need to learn is adapting to such new environment! 

Fatima, Russia

When I was a student I used to move in with my cousins. It was a right laugh. We have always  got on well and took turns to tidy up so that we have never fallen out of and our flat was always clean.  Usually I was cooker because other girls didn't like doing it, as for me it was  as easy as a pie. Some times we shared our clothes, lent money to each other. I think it is safer to live with your good friends or relatives because it's scare for me to share accomodation with strangers.

Thi My Phuong, Vietnam

When I was eighteen years old, I went to my university in Ho Chi Minh City. This was the first time I have moved out of my house for a long time. I moved in with three friends and it was quite interesting. Ho Chi Minh City is a dynamic place and it's not too hard to find accomodation here; however, we had to pay a high rent monthly. With four of us in one 12-square-metre room, it was pretty crowded. Thereafter, we adapted ourselves quickly to the new life. We made a cleaning rota, and could change turns if someone was busy. Sometimes, there have been a few heated discussions which be made up in the end. We also shared a lot of joys and sadnesses. It was a truly memorable experience which helped our friendship be long-lasting. 

Anazilda, Brasil

When  I was eighteen, I left my parent's house and move in to a little town in the country, for my first regular job. I knew nobody and there was few houses avaiable for rent. So, I had to share a place with 3 flatmates, people I had never met before.  It was the best time of my life! Although all of us were very different people, of different cities and background, we got on with each other very well. We shared our food and sometimes clothes, took turns to do the housework and shoping, and we had a great time together.

We are friends until now (30 years late), although we all have returned to our homeland, and we also talk about living together again, when we get old.

Antonio, Brazil 

When I entered the university I had to move to another city. At first, I lived in a boarding house, sharing a room with some other students. Later I moved in to a shared flat. My flat mates were guys who I have meet in the boarding house. 

My experience with sharing accommodation had ups and downs. But even  bad events could teach us some lesson. The best: I met a girl who shared another flat in the same building, now she is my wife and mother of my children.

Marisol, Spain

When I was a university student I went to a big city to study. I shared several flats with my housemates in 5 years.

Our first flat was the oldest. It was in a bit of state. We were 4 girls and we took turns to tidy up. It was a great experience. After that we moved into another flat. This was newer and bigger.

But, I moved on another flat with another housemates because  I had a false sense of security. My mates croossed the line and they went a step too far. I had a dilemma but I went out.

When I was living with my new mates the things were easier and we had a cleaning rota...

However this flat was older, but I didn't worry because I was a right laugh.

Sharing a flat is a good experience, but it's only for  a few years.

It's better to share a flat when you are in the twenties than when you are in the forties. It's true.

Eşref, Turkey

Before I didn't begin the University, I have never been to out of my city where I live. İt was the first time I was going to another city. I was starting university and I didn't know anyone to live together. I looked around for hiring a small house, but their hire was very expensive. At the end, I met a man who was older than me and working at night, at a coach. He offered me to share his flat whose rent price is really high for one person. It was at a good place, close to bus stop, shopping center, etc. I moved in very quickly, my flatmate  was very talkative person and very joyfull. I got on with him easily, But he was sleeping very much. He didn't wash the dishes, never cooks, never help me hoovering house. He ate my own food and meals that I cooked. First, I did not mind. It could be, I said. But later, it started to embarras me. We were arguing very much, nearly every day. I could tolerate only 5 month, at the end of fifth month I move out, and I moved in a new house which was small one and was built for teacher near university. I lived there for three years alone, where I was very happy. 

Bernard

Hello dear teachers 

At the very beginning of my marriage, we didn't a choice other than sharing the student studio of my brother in law.

There were already three in a small studio.

When we moved in, we needed to build a wall with some polystyrene blocks, between us and them, for a bit more intimacy.

On the wedding night, just after the celebrations, we had the privilege to stick our fingers in the honey on handles, to scratch ourselves with rice in the bed and other little jokes.

But, those events are nothing, the habits of old student are worst.

It was impossible to sleep early before your morning shift!

If, by chance, you are working  in the afternoon, they  want to get up early, but they can't, they are so tired.

So the alarm-clock buzzes for about five minutes and you are awake, but not them!!!

I remember one evening, when I had eaten my first couscous. My brother in law didn't have a special device for this, so we have made one with a nail a hammer and an old pan!!!! Do you see what I mean?

The dinner was delicious, made by a Moroccan student with some mint-tea. It was a good time, eating and laughing together.

We have lived with them for about six months before having enough money to move out.

It was often a mess, without any order, even sometimes dirty. But  I keep those souvenirs like a good experience of human life.

Noe, Mexico 

When I was studying in Colima I had to share my flat, in fact my uncle shared his flat with me and with my cousin, the flat is so small, just with a bed room, but I didn't have enough money to pay rent so I had to live there, it wasn't easy, because they didn’t use to be neat and it was hard for me. My uncle used to smoke in the bathroom and they clean the flat just one per week. We never fight, but I didn't enjoy my four years with them. 

Mario, Italy

My only experience of sharing accommodation was when I was twenty. I was forced to move in the Army for twelve months. I shared my accommodation with many people and we didn't always get on with each others but fortunately we didn't go around armed in our accommodation. Anyway, I remember falling out with very few people at that period. Obviously, to avoid punishment, we had to tidy our accommodation up all the time and took turns to keep the bathroom and the floor clean. Finally, after twelve months, I moved out to go back home.

Oliviero, Italy

15 years ago i moved with my friends in Rome for job. We rented a little house next to the subway station "Colosseo" . We were in four and everyone had a room. My room was little but with a beautiful window, I could see the "Colosseo" every day, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world.
My friends were very funs and polite, the connivence was right but I remember that to clean the home was a big dilemma, because nobody wanted to clean it, so we hired a cleaner. The privacy was another problem overall to private life. Now I agree the connivence is right when you are young but then you have to seek another place for yourself better with love of your life... maybe.

Manoel Gomes, Brazil

When I was younger, I used to share a beach house with my friends. We moved in January and we used to spend all our holidays together. We took turns to clean the house and to make food. We always had a lot of fun. Those were good times.

Rafael, Venezuela

I was studying engineering in my hometown, San Cristóbal, but there aren't too many companies there. I had to find internships, so I moved to Valencia to have an internship with Chrysler.

At the beginning I shared a four bedroom flat with total strangers: one couple and two other guys. I never spoke too much or spent too much time there because it was overcrowded, the kitchen was always dirty, and the washing machine was damaged. It was a total disaster! But, it was cheap and I had my own bathroom. In the end, I just spent like 2 months there.

When I was there in the first flat I spent my free time in some of my college friends' flat. One of the rooms was vacant, but their landlord didn't want to rent it to me because I had to share the bathroom with a girl. At the end the landlord agreed and I stayed there for 6 months. It was great. We partied, we took a lot of trips, and they helped me with the grocery bill because they were working as engineers and I was an intern. I had air conditioning and it was awesome because that city is very very hot, all of the time. The rent was higher but it was totally worth it. It was one great experience and I really enjoyed that time.

Denis, Ukraine

I often travel to the business trips with my colleagues. In many towns of Ukraine we rent inexpensive accommodation with one-, two- or three- rooms. We move into the rented accommodation where there are Wi-Fi, washing machine, TV and several beds. Living together we have to share our duties. Someone cooks meals, someone tidies up rooms and someone washes plates after breakfast or supper. We need to get on each other and do not fall out because we are team.

Next

So now you've had a chance to share your experiences, it's time for News Report. This time it's about all the problems that can come up when you share accommodation at university. Are they the same as we've looked at so far? Listen in the next activity to find out.