Choosing a flatmate or a lodger needs some care. When you interview a stranger, make sure you have a friend with you at the time whose judgement you trust. Chat about smoking, neatness, television, music and your social activities to make sure your habits and tastes are reasonably compatible.
When you move in with a new flatmate, work out rules for bathroom times, overnight guests and dinner par-ties, TV and stereo noise, division of expenses including household costs and bills, housekeeping chores and refrigerator use, and how to keep the house secure.
Arrange for itemised telephone bills, if possible. This will save endless haggling over the bill when it comes and avoid bad feeling.
If you live with more than one person, put up a list of weekly household duties for each. The refrigerator door is a good place for the list.
Develop an agreed method of airing problems and don't let annoyances fester. Humour can go a long way towards smoothing things out.
