Case Studies...
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10 Tips for Solving Disputes
There is no easy answer to solving disputes, but this article gives you some tips as to the best ways to tackle flatmate disputes....
Advertising for a Flatmate
There is much to consider when advertising for a flatmate. This article offers advice on what to include in an ad and where to post ads for potential flatmates....
Agreeing on a Sale
Agreeing on a sale can be difficult, but it should not be impossible for joint owners. This article discusses sales related topics such as deciding on the time to sell, deciding on home improvements ...
Buying a Home With a Family Member: A Case Study
Claire was 24 and wanted to buy a flat in London but could not afford to buy on her own, which is why her parents stepped in to help....
Buying a Home With Friends: a Case Study
A case study looking at three young professional friends renting in Leeds and looking to buy together in order to make some money....
Buying a Home With Your Partner: a Case Study
Emma and Paul had been going out for a couple of years and wanted to buy a flat together, Paul however earned £10,000 more than Emma....
Buying Out A Partner
Buying out a partner sometimes occurs between joint owners. This article discusses topics related to joint owners selling to one another such as agreeing to sell, determining the ownership percentage...
Can I Put A Lock On My Bedroom Door?
Tenants and landlords both enjoy rights and responsibilities regarding a leased property. This answer discusses a tenant's right to put a lock on the door of a rented room....
Can I Set a Curfew for my Lodger?
A landlord writes in to ask about setting a curfew for a current lodger. This answer discusses how the landlord can best approach the issue with her lodger....
Checking References of Potential Flatmates
When you are about to invite someone to become a new flatmate it’s important to feel comfortable with your decision. Checking references of potential flatmates is one way put your mind to rest that y...
Considerations for Buying with a Friend
Buying a home with a friend comes with many considerations. This article discusses friendly economics, background checks, formalising relationships and exit strategies as they pertain to friends purc...
Considerations for Buying with a Group
Many people are interested in buying a home as part of a group. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of buying a home with several other people, as well as some practical considera...
Considerations for Buying with a Partner
Many people are interested in buying a home with a romantic partner. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of buying a home with a romantic partner as well as some practical conside...
Considerations for Buying with a Sibling
Many people are interested in buying a home with a sibling. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of buying a home with a sibling as well as some practical considerations to be awar...
Creating The Right Impression At Interview
How first impressions count when you are going for an interview to be considered as a flatmate. How it’s important to be positive and friendly but more important to be yourself....
Deciding on a Mortgage
Deciding on a mortgage is a big step whether you’re a first time buyer or a homeowner in need of extra funds. This article discusses things to consider when deciding on a mortgage, including which ty...
Decorating on a Budget
The exact size of a decorating budget will depend upon what is desired and the funds available to both flatmates. This article discusses items commonly budgeted for by flatmates including furniture, ...
Decorating Schemes for Shared Accommodation
Decorating schemes for shared accommodations can be hard to agree upon if flatmates tastes tend to differ. This article discusses how colours, fabrics, wall hangings and floor coverings can be used t...
Disagreements Over Guests
Having guests in the house can strain even the best relationship between flatmates. This article offers advice on setting up house rules regarding overnight, out of town and emergency guests as well ...
Easy Upgrades Before Selling
Home owners who are interested in getting the best price for their properties should consider a few easy upgrades before selling. This article discusses painting the walls, improving flooring, changi...
Ending a Living Arrangement
Most living arrangements end at one time or another. This article discusses ending joint tenancies, joint ownerships and informal living arrangements....
Estate Agent versus Private Sale
Deciding whether to work with an estate agent or to sell a home privately is entirely up to the home owner. This article discusses common advantages and disadvantages of working with estate agents ve...
Extra Costs for Property Buying
There are a variety of extra costs associated with property buying. This article discusses potential fees associated with stamp duty, survey fees, solicitors fees, mortgage related fees and insurance...
Fighting Fair with a Flatmate
All flatmates will fight at some time. This article discusses ways that flatmates can ensure they fight fair, including by having calm discussions, sticking only to the topic at hand, keeping all dis...
Finance: Unexpected Emergencies
Unexpected emergencies often arise for flatmates. This article discusses ways in which flatmates can raise funds for emergencies, including through saving, using a credit card, taking a loan from a l...
Finding a Joint Mortgage: A Case Study
Trying to find advice on a joint mortgage can be tricky, this article looks at how three friends managed to find their joint mortgage....
Flatmates and Disputes
At some point most flatmates have disputes. This article offers advice on how flatmates can discuss their problems and move forward in a constructive manner following a dispute....
Flatmates and Family Visits
Visits from a flatmate’s family members are often unavoidable. This article discusses the kind of ground rules that flatmates may want to consider regarding family visits including notification perio...
Flatmates and Friendship
Flatmates and friendship often, but not necessarily, go hand in hand. This article discusses becoming friends with flatmates, flatmates and mutual friends and becoming more than friends with flatmate...
Flatmates and Mediation
If flatmate disputes get out of hand, mediation may be an option to help end these disagreements. This article discusses considering and seeking mediation as well as what to expect during mediation s...
Flatmates and Romantic Partners
Discussing a flatmate’s romantic partners can be awkward. This article offers advice about confronting a flatmate about his or her personal life....
Flatmates Becoming Romantic Partners
When flatmates become romantic partners the dynamics of the home will change. This article discusses how flatmates can show respect for themselves and any other flatmates by confirming the relationsh...
Furniture Budget
Regardless of the actual amount of money that is available in a furniture budget, some items will need to be bought. This article discusses the items of furniture, accessories and electronics that ar...
House Rules for Flatmates
There are no hard and fast rules that will suit every set of flatmate's regarding their behaviour and possessions. This article discusses how flatmate's can compromise on topics such food and drink, ...
House Rules for Guests
At some point most flatmates will invite guests into the home. This article discusses the types of guests that may appear in any home, how to set house rules for guests for safety and convenience, an...
Household Chores for Flatmates
Household chores are never fun, but flatmate's can decide how best to split them up so that no one is left with an unequal share of the responsibility. This article discusses household chores and how...
Household Upkeep Budget
Creating a household upkeep budget is a good way to track your home related expenses. Though the amount of money each home owner or tenant allocates will be different, cleaning, maintenance and impro...
I Didn't Get on With My Flatmate's Partner Case: A Case Study
Sharing a flat can be hard work, but when someone's partner is brought into the equation this can often cause problems, here's how Christine handled the situation....
Interviewing Flatmates
Interviewing flatmates is a big responsibility. This article discusses how to schedule, lead and end interviews with candidates....
Late Payments for Mortgage/Rent
Consistently late or unpaid rent and mortgage payments can have dire consequences. This article discusses the legal responsibilities for paying the rent and mortgage, common payment methods, methods ...
Legal Considerations
Legal considerations should not be frightening or frustrating for joint tenants or joint owners of a private home. This article briefly discusses the legal rights and responsibilities of parties shar...
Managing Household Bills Between Two
Managing household bills between two people will take some organisation. This article discusses how flatmates can decide how to divide bills and how to pay bills, as well as offers advice on budgetin...
Monetary Concerns for Flatmates
Every set of Flatmates needs to be able to trust each other when it comes to monetary responsibilities. This article discusses common monetary concerns for Flatmates including rent and utility paymen...
Monetary Considerations
Flatmate's must trust and respect each other enough to pay promptly for what they are responsible for. This article discusses monetary considerations that most flatmate's will run into, including ren...
Mortgage/Rent Payment Methods
The rent or mortgage payment option that you choose will likely be a matter of personal preference. This article discusses common payment options such as cash, cheque, direct debit and even bartering...
Moving Out of a Joint Property: a Case Study
A look at what can happen when sharing a joint mortgage goes wrong and what happens when two friends sharing a mortgage fall out....
My Flatmate Was Stealing from Me: A Case Study
Having someone go through your personal possessions is never nice, this article looks at what Tracey did when she found out her flatmate was stealing from her....
Overnight Guest Policies
Overnight guest policies help flatmates avoid frequent disagreements when others sleep over. This article briefly discusses the types of guests that may stay overnight, common policies regarding over...
Party Policies
Parties can be either fun or frustrating for flatmate's. This article discusses how flatmate's can set party policies so that everyone can enjoy a good party....
Questionnaire: Are You Financially Compatible With Your Flatmate?
Your new flatmate may be your best friend but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be financially compatible, these few questions should help you work out if you are....
Questionnaire: Can You Force Your Flatmate Out?
When things turn sour between flatmates it can get nasty, these questions should help you decide if you can force your flatmate out....
Questionnaire: Do You Need an HMO Licence?
When sharing accommodation it’s important to know whether your landlord needs a HMO licence, these questions should help you decide whether your landlord needs one....
Questionnaire: How Much Should I Charge My Flatmate?
It can be hard to know how much to charge your roommate, these few questions should help you calculate what is acceptable....
Questionnaire: What House Rules Are Acceptable?
Everybody had different standards when it comes to what is acceptable when sharing a house, this questionnaire should help you decide....
Questionnaire: Why Do You Want to Share Accommodation?
House sharing can be hard work, but these few questions should help you determine why it is you want to share your space...
Questions to Ask Potential Roommates
Asking the right questions when interviewing a potential housemate can be the key to success, here are some suggestions....
Quiet Hours
Too much noise can make a home less than appealing. This article discusses how flatmates can set and stick to house rules regarding quiet hours....
Removing a Flatmate
Removing a flatmate is never an enjoyable, or necessarily easy, act. This article discusses the legal standing of flatmate's and flatmate's and antisocial behaviours as related to the removal of a fl...
Saving for a Deposit
At one time or another most people need to save for a deposit whether it be to rent a home or secure a mortgage. This article discusses aspects of savings such as knowing how much you’ll need for you...
Saving Money on Accommodation Expenses
Saving money on accommodation expenses can be hard. This article discusses sharing accommodation, budgeting for monthly expenses, limiting utility connections and maintaining certain standards of cle...
Saving Money on Food Essentials
It can be hard to save money on food because we all need to eat. This article discusses ways of saving money at the grocery store including pre-planning recipes, shopping the perimeter, buying in bul...
Seeking Legal Advice
When individuals share accommodation arguments can result, and sometimes serious concerns may lead individuals to seek legal advice. This article discusses the legal concerns that might drive someone...
Selling A Home and Renting It Back
Joint owners may consider selling their home and renting it back if they are in bad financial straits. This article discusses how joint owners agree to a sale as well as the benefits and drawbacks of...
Tenants' Rights: Changes to Your Living Circumstances
When tenants have a change in their living circumstances they should check the terms of their rental agreements to see what they agreed to in such circumstances. This article briefly discusses exampl...
Types of Insurance to Consider
There are a variety of types of insurance related to the home and mortgage. Life assurance cover, home insurance, mortgage insurance and contents cover are just a few such categories of insurance....
Unofficial Flatmates
Unofficial flatmate's are always in a precarious situation, and they usually put official, legal flatmate's in a precarious situation as well. This article reminds flatmate's of their legal standing ...
Utilities Budget
Saving money on accommodation expenses can be hard. This article discusses sharing accommodation, budgeting for monthly expenses, limiting utility connections and maintaining certain standards of cle...
When Flatmates' Friends Don't Get Along
While it helps if flatmates are friends, there is no rule that says that there friends must get along too. But when flatmates’ friends don’t get along the situation may be improved by limiting time t...