Main reasons why people say "avoid living in a share house"
While share houses have the advantage of being able to meet new people while keeping housing costs down, many people also say, "Don't live in a share house." First, based on the impressions of people who have actually lived in a share house, we will explain the three main reasons why people say, "Don't live in a share house."
- Noise issues
- Privacy Issues
- Problems with rules for shared areas
Noise issues
Share houses have many common areas and thin partitions between rooms, so noise can easily leak out. It can get noisy at night, so it's not suitable for people who prefer a quiet environment.
In particular, in rooms close to the living room or kitchen, the sounds of other residents' conversations and televisions often echo. Also, since many people with different lifestyles live in the same apartment, problems can arise between night owls and early risers.
Privacy Issues
In a share house, the kitchen and bathroom are shared, so it is difficult to maintain personal privacy. For example, even if you want to use the washing machine in the morning, you will often be at the same time as other residents.
Furthermore, conversations in common spaces can be overheard, and conversely, your private conversations can be heard by other residents. Even in share houses with private rooms, thin walls can make it easy for conversations, music, and phone calls to leak out.
In order to mitigate these privacy issues, it is important to take soundproofing measures and check the rules. If you would like to know more about privacy issues in shared houses and how to deal with them, please refer to the article "What about privacy issues in shared houses? We also explain how to deal with them."
Problems with rules for shared areas
There are often rules regarding the use of shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, but not all residents follow these rules, which can lead to unnecessary stress.
For example, there are cases where people leave their dishes unwashed in the kitchen, or where food left in the refrigerator is used without permission. Even if there are designated cleaning duties for the shared areas, some residents do not follow the rules, which can cause other people to feel burdened.
In particular, rules regarding laundry are one area where problems can easily arise. Friction between residents can arise over issues such as the time and order of using the washing machine, or leaving laundry lying around. If you want to know more about laundry rules in a shared house, please refer to this article , "What are the laundry rules in a shared house? An explanation of points to be aware of."
You should also pay attention to the rules regarding keeping pets. Some share houses allow pets, but there are cases where residents have animal allergies or problems arise due to noise and odors. If you want to live with pets, it is important to check carefully in advance and choose an appropriate property. For more information, please refer to "Can you keep pets in a share house? Introducing the pros and cons."
To avoid these problems, it is important to carefully choose a share house that is right for you. Take note of the impressions and reviews of people who have actually lived there, and choose an environment with as little stress as possible.
Disadvantages of a share house
Share houses have advantages such as low rent and fully furnished furniture and appliances, but they also have disadvantages. Here we will explain in detail the disadvantages that are often pointed out about living in a share house.
For those who want to comprehensively understand the basic characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of a share house, please refer to the article "What is a share house? An explanation with advantages and disadvantages."
Privacy is difficult to ensure
Although shared houses provide private rooms, there are shared spaces such as a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, so it is more difficult to maintain privacy than living alone.
Especially in small shared houses, residents often meet each other and need to constantly communicate with someone. This can be stressful for people who want to keep their distance from others or live without being disturbed.
Another disadvantage is that many properties have thin walls, making it easy to hear your neighbors' conversations and daily sounds even in your private room. In an environment where many people with different lifestyles live, late-night noises and early-morning activity can be a nuisance and can disrupt your sleep.
Risk of trouble occurring
In a share house, people with diverse values and lifestyles live together, and small differences can sometimes cause trouble.
For example, the following problems are likely to occur:
- How shared spaces are used: Violations of rules, such as not following cleaning duties in the kitchen or bathroom, or leaving dishes lying around
- Noise issues: The rhythm of your life doesn't match up with your schedule, and noises late at night or early in the morning bother you.
- Unauthorized use of equipment: Food in the refrigerator, shampoo, and other personal items are used without permission
- Friction in relationships: It's hard to keep a distance from residents you don't get along with
This can be a particularly stressful environment for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder or who like to follow strict rules.
Lifestyle restrictions
There are various rules in place to ensure a comfortable communal life in a share house. For example, there are the following restrictions:
- The use of washing machines and showers is time-limited
- You cannot invite friends and family freely (in some cases you may need to apply in advance)
- There are rules for using shared spaces (lights out time, music/TV volume limits, etc.)
These rules are necessary to ensure smooth living with other residents, but they may be inconvenient for those who want to live freely.
Characteristics of people who are not suited to living in a share house
Shared houses are an attractive living environment where you can enjoy socializing while keeping costs down, but they are not suitable for everyone. People with the following characteristics are more likely to feel stressed living in a shared house.
① People who value privacy
In a shared house, you share common spaces such as the kitchen, living room, and bathroom with other residents, so it is difficult to maintain complete privacy like you would if living alone.
Even if there are private rooms, the walls are thin and everyday noises can easily be heard, so these apartments are not suitable for people who want to live quietly without being disturbed by others.
② People who prefer a quiet environment
In shared houses, there can be a lot of interaction between residents, and in particularly large properties, events and parties are often held on weekends.
Also, because each resident has a different lifestyle, the noise of people who come home late at night or are active early in the morning can be bothersome, which can be stressful for people who want a quiet life.
3) People who insist on strict rules and cleanliness
In a shared house, people have different attitudes towards cleaning and tidying up the common spaces.
If you expect other residents to maintain the same level of cleanliness as you do, such as keeping the refrigerator tidy, the kitchen tidy, and the bathroom clean, you may feel stressed by violations of the rules or differences in manners.
4. People who are not good at asserting themselves
When living together, there will be times when residents have to discuss differences in rules and manners.
People who are unable to clearly communicate their dissatisfaction, such as "cleaning duties are not being followed" or "noises in the middle of the night are bothering me," may end up accumulating stress.
⑤ People who want to invite friends or loved ones over frequently
Some share houses prohibit non-residents from entering or staying overnight.
For those who like to invite friends or loved ones over to their home frequently, these rules may seem restrictive.
⑥ People with fixed lifestyles
In a shared house, where residents have different lifestyles, it is common for them to have different bedtimes and wake-up times.
For people who like to go to bed at a fixed time or get up early in the morning to be active, the sounds of everyday life around them can easily become stressful.
⑦ People who want to live at their own pace
Shared houses have certain rules, such as the times when you can use the washing machine and shower, and rules for using the common spaces.
This can be inconvenient for people who want to live at their own pace, such as by doing laundry whenever they like or cooking whenever they like.
8. People who are too loose
When living together, you need to observe basic manners and rules.
People who don't clean, are bad at tidying up, and are not punctual are shunned by others and are likely to cause trouble.
How to choose a share house that suits you
There are many different types of share houses, such as women-only, for working adults, and international exchange-type. If you don't choose an environment that suits you, you may end up regretting it. Here, we will explain the key points to choosing a share house so that you can have a comfortable life.
Check the type of share house
There are various types of share houses, each with its own unique characteristics.
- Women-only share house: Security measures are in place, so you can rest assured about crime prevention. Recommended for those who don't like living with men.
- Share house for working people: There is little noise at night and many people are working, so the environment is calm.
- Student share house: Many of the residents are university or vocational school students, and the atmosphere is lively and friendly.
- International exchange share house: Many foreign residents live here, and it is suitable for people who are interested in language learning and intercultural exchange.
- Pet-friendly share house: You can live with pets, but this is not suitable for people who don't like animals.
Check what type of share house it is and think about whether it suits your lifestyle.
Check the status of operational management
When choosing a share house, the behavior of the management company is also important. If the property is well managed, you will have fewer problems and be able to live comfortably.
Points to consider when choosing a good management company
- Is the response to inquiries prompt? (If the response is slow, the response to problems may also be slow.)
- Are common areas kept clean? (If cleaning is not done frequently, hygiene issues are likely to arise.)
- Are the contract details clear? (If the rules are unclear, you will likely have trouble after moving in.)
Before signing a contract, be sure to view the property and check the shared spaces and management status.
Check the age group and lifestyle of the residents
In a share house, it is important to get along with the other residents. Check the following points.
- Age group and occupation: Share houses with many working adults tend to be quiet and calm, whereas those with a lot of students tend to be lively.
- Lifestyle: Properties with a lot of night owls can be stressful for morning people.
- How to use shared spaces: Check that they are kept clean and that the rules are being followed.
If possible, we recommend talking to the residents when you view the property to get a feel for the atmosphere.
Check the facilities and rules in advance
Facilities and rules vary depending on the property. Be sure to check the following points in particular beforehand.
- Rules for visiting friends/lovers: Some properties prohibit visitors or overnight stays, so check in advance.
- Usage times for shared facilities: There may be set times when you can use the washing machine or shower.
- Fridge and storage space: Make sure you have enough space for your own use.
- Noise countermeasures: Check whether soundproofing equipment is available and whether there are any noise problems.
If you sign a contract without checking these things, you will end up regretting it because the environment is not what you expected.
Check the contract carefully
The share house contract contains rules to prevent trouble. Please be sure to check the following points in particular:
- Contract length: short-term or long-term?
- Prohibited activities: Noise, keeping pets, smoking, etc.
- Monthly payment: In addition to rent, do common charges and utility fees are included?
- Termination conditions: Penalties upon moving out and timing of notice to move out.
If you have any questions, ask before signing the contract and make sure you are satisfied before deciding to move in.
summary
While share houses have benefits such as cheap rent and opportunities for interaction, they also have disadvantages such as noise, privacy issues, trouble due to rules in common spaces, etc. People who are not suited to share houses include those who value privacy, those who prefer a quiet environment, and those who demand strict rules and cleanliness.
Also, when choosing a share house, it is important to choose a property that suits your lifestyle, such as "women only," "for working adults," "international exchange," etc. Furthermore, by carefully checking the state of management, age range of residents, and contract details in advance, you can make a choice you will not regret.
Choose carefully to determine whether the shared house environment suits you and ensure you can live comfortably.
