Be specific in your advert, not just about the accommodation but about yourself and the type of person you are looking to share with. If you are new to the area and/or you want to enjoy the social aspects of flatsharing, then say so upfront. If you just see a flatshare as a place to crash after work and you are looking for quiet and privacy, then you need to be just as clear. Getting into a flatshare with people whose goals are the opposite of your own will not benefit either of you.

Compatibility is important, so when interviewing a potential flatmate it is vital that you are honest with each other (and with yourselves). Remember that it isnít a job interview and you donít want to just tell the other person what you think they want to hear; once youíve signed up to a flatshare you might well be stuck in it for a minimum of six months, so you will likely be hurting yourself. Be open and truthful when meeting a prospective flatmate, and make sure to be yourself (they need to know what theyíre getting themselves into as well).

If there is more than one person in the flatshare, it is important that everyone meets before any agreements are made. Finding out that there is a personality clash after everyone has moved in can still happen, even if everyone does meet first, but the risk is reduced considerably. Make sure everyone is familiar with the rules of the house, preferably before they move in, and it might be worth re-evaluating them when a new flatmate joins you (they canít be expected to feel the same as the person they replaced and should be given a say in how the household is run, just like everyone else was).