10 Common House Rules Everyone Should Follow

Introduction

There are few things more frustrating than living with people who don’t follow house rules. A lack of adherence to basic etiquette is a surefire way to infuriate your roommates, which can lead to arguments and an overall uncomfortable living situation. That’s why it’s important that everyone contributes by following these 10 common house rules:

Respect each other’s belongings.

Everyone should respect each other’s belongings. This is a good way to avoid conflict, and it will help everyone keep their things safe. If you’re not inclined to steal or damage each other’s stuff, then it also builds trust between roommates. And if you do have disagreements over something, respecting the things that belong to others can help keep the peace in your living situation.

This rule is important because it helps create a positive environment for everyone living there. You won’t get into any arguments about taking someone else’s favorite shirt without feeling guilty about doing so later on; and if something does need repaired at some point down the road, your roommate will be happy enough with how things are going that they’ll be more willing than usual (and have less reason) to fix things themselves!

Have an open communication policy.

Communication is key. It’s important that you communicate with your roommates about expectations, schedules and feelings. If something is bothering you, don’t keep it to yourself! Talk to your roommates and let them know how they can help make your living situation better for everyone involved.

Keep all shared rooms tidy.

Keep all shared rooms tidy.
Don’t leave clothes lying around.
Don’t leave food out, even if it’s in the fridge or cupboard.
Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink for more than a couple of hours after you’ve eaten. If you have time to reheat your food, then you have enough time to wash up!
And last but not least: don’t leave dirty laundry lying around on the floor or towels on the floor either.

Keep your private space tidy.

You know what’s annoying? When you walk into someone’s room and it looks like they haven’t cleaned it in months, if not years. That can be really off-putting, especially if the person who lives there is you!

This could include: keeping your room clean and tidy; making sure you have a place for everything; cleaning up after yourself; keeping your clothes in your closet; making sure you don’t leave food out (mice are attracted to human food); and keeping your desk clean and organized.

Testing boundaries is normal but don’t cross the line.

Testing boundaries is normal, but don’t cross the line.
What are boundaries? Boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves and others. They’re important because they help us maintain a sense of self-respect and security, so that we can feel safe in our own home.
Examples of what is acceptable and not acceptable:

It’s OK to test your parents’ boundaries—for example, asking if you can go out with friends—but it isn’t OK to break them (such as refusing to do chores or sneaking out). It’s also not OK to make fun of your brother when he is upset. If you cross someone else’s personal boundaries (such as calling them names), apologize immediately! Remember that everyone has different opinions on what constitutes an invasion of privacy; if someone says something makes them uncomfortable and asks you not to do it again, respect their wishes even if it seems like no big deal.*

Share chores equally and fairly.

The first step is to make sure that everyone knows the house rules and understands their importance. Once all family members are on board, it’s time to divide the chores into categories and assign them fairly. Some chores are easier than others, so some people might want to do more of those than others. If someone is doing more than his or her share of chores, he or she should get rewarded for this extra effort. On the other hand, if someone is doing less than her share of chores (and thus taking advantage), it’s important that this behavior be punished so that everyone in your home feels like they’re contributing equally and fairly.

No surprises, good or bad.

In the same vein as being consistent with expectations and rules, it’s important to be clear about them from the get-go. Many of these rules are about communicating your expectations for others. You should always let people know what you expect of them—whether it’s in their work habits or in how they treat each other—and provide clear guidelines for what will happen if those expectations aren’t met. Also make sure that everyone knows your own feelings on things like surprise parties and other similar situations where you might end up feeling surprised (or not).

When it comes to communicating with people who live under your roof, one way to ensure that no one is surprised is by keeping a running list of house rules at hand when they first move in so they can see everything up front. This way there won’t be any surprises later on down the road when someone decides they don’t want to abide by some rule because “that wasn’t my understanding.”

Communicate about who you’re bringing over and how long they’ll be staying.

As a housemate, you should always be clear about who you’re bringing over and for how long. Communicate this with your roommates in advance, even if it feels like common sense. If one of your roommates has an allergy to dogs or cats, make sure the guest knows about it. If the guest won’t be sharing a bedroom with anyone else, bring that up as well so everyone can have input on whether or not they’re comfortable with that arrangement.

It’s also important to communicate what kind of relationship each roommate has to the guest being invited over—i.e., are they dating? Friends? Acquaintances? This will help determine what level of privacy is appropriate while they’re sleeping under the same roof as other people in your home and how much notice needs to be given before inviting them over (if at all).

Some examples might include: if two people are dating but not living together yet; if someone wants to bring their friend who’s visiting from out-of-state; etcetera…

Make sure everyone knows the overall house schedule and is on board with it.

When everyone knows what’s going on, it makes life easier. You won’t be interrupting your partner in the middle of a work project or getting annoyed when your roommate leaves her laundry on the floor for days at a time.

It also means you can plan ahead—if you know your roommate is leaving for vacation for 10 days, perhaps that’s time to take advantage of their absence by throwing an epic house party!

Don’t gossip about roommates to other people without their consent or knowledge.

The main reason to avoid gossiping about roommates is to respect their privacy. You should confide in a roommate only when you need help or advice.

If you have a problem with your roommate, be direct and say what’s on your mind, rather than talking behind their back.
If it’s important to share something with someone else, such as another roommate or a friend who lives elsewhere, ask first if they would like to know what’s going on with your living situation before spilling the beans.

Everyone needs to follow these rules.

It is important that everyone follows these rules. The house will be cleaner and tidier, which will make everyone happier. If everyone follows the rules, it will also mean less arguments between roommates, as well as less stress for you.

Conclusion

So remember, these aren’t just rules for your roommates. They’re also for you. If you want your housemates to follow them, then it’s up to you to set the example and make sure everyone follows through with what they say they’re going do—even if that means reminding them every now and then!