Living in a shared house often means encountering a surprisingly predictable cast of characters. No matter the city, the size of the house, or the number of housemates, certain personalities seem to appear again and again.
Some are quietly helpful, some are slightly chaotic, and some make shared living a little more interesting than expected.
Here are ten of the most common types of people you’ll encounter in a flatshare.
1. The Ghost
Technically lives in the house but is almost never seen.
You occasionally spot a pair of shoes by the door or a mysterious mug in the sink, which confirms they still live there.
2. The Kitchen Enthusiast
Always cooking elaborate meals.
Their spice collection slowly expands until it occupies half the cupboard. They also spend about four hours cooking each night, leaving you just enough time to microwave some baked beans for dinner.
3. The Overly Considerate One
Always replacing toilet roll and taking bins out.
Quietly carrying the household on their shoulders until the rest of you forget how to operate a spray bottle.
4. The Night Owl
Cooking pasta at midnight and clattering around the kitchen. You have almost certainly been woken up at 3am when they set off the fire alarm making toast.
5. The Early Riser
Making coffee at 6am while the rest of the house is still asleep. You’re woken by the loud buzzing of their blender as they make their health smoothie before heading to yoga.
6. The Accidental Hoarder
Cupboards slowly fill with:
- half-used sauces
- bulk pasta
- mysterious tins
7. The Social Butterfly
Often inviting friends over or suggesting group dinners. You will love it at first and eventually wish for an evening where you have a quiet home.
8. The Bathroom Occupier
Showers that somehow last 45 minutes. At 7:30am on a weekday.
You often leave for work without brushing your teeth, which is a terrible start to the day.
9. The “I’ll Clean It Later” Person
Dishes sit in the sink for days. One of them could probably be examined by scientists for biological activity.
10. The Organiser
Creates cleaning rotas and shared house systems.
The closest thing the house has to a functioning government. You will get annoyed when your bathroom usage is planned out for you down to the millisecond.
Shared houses rarely stay the same for long. People move in, people move out, and the cast of characters slowly changes. But if you’ve lived in a flatshare for any length of time, chances are you’ve encountered at least a few of these personalities along the way.
