Those of us who have lived, or are currently living, in a house share will be well aware of the benefits that come with living with others who can share the costs. If you’re just moving into a new area, either as a student or worker, moving into a house share is probably a good way of finding somewhere more affordable while you get settled in, as well as meeting new people to socialize with. An app like Trulia Real Estate can help with the search here. On the flip side, if you’re already a homeowner and are looking to bring in a roommate to help share the costs, consider renting out your spare room to someone you trust. They’ll be able to share the bills with you, helping you save money. 

Other than rent, another positive aspect of sharing a home is that you can divide the bills between you. Splitting bills is often a tricky subject to broach, particularly among people you may not know at first, which is why it’s important to get it sorted out early on. Use an app like Splitwise, something everyone in the house can download, where all bills – water, power, internet, streaming subscriptions, etc. - can all be added and automatically divided between housemates. It’s a simple way of taking away any discomfort of asking people for money each month. Consider budgeting here too. If there are a few of you in the house, you can often share shopping costs, streaming services, and maintenance bills between you, helping you spend less money. 

Of course, there are other responsibilities than just money to take care of when sharing a property. Part of being an independent adult means taking on your share of the chores around the place, whether that be taking out the garbage, cleaning the kitchen, sweeping the floor, etc. In a similar fashion to bills, you can use a scheduling app to plan out when everyone needs to perform their household duties and everyone can be held responsible if they don’t complete them. It should make for a happier, cleaner, and more friendly household that you and your roommates can enjoy together.