House Sharing: A Modern and Friendly Housing Solution

Aug 13, 2024

Several people in a living room

House sharing has become a popular option for many people looking to optimize their quality of life while reducing costs. Whether for students, young professionals, or even seniors, house sharing offers a rewarding social, economic, and practical experience. But who are these housemates, and what are the advantages and challenges associated with this lifestyle? This article explores these questions and guides you on how to embark on a successful house-sharing journey.

What does a housemate look like?

A housemate can be a person of any age and background but often shares the same objective: to live in a pleasant environment while optimizing finances. The housemate profile varies based on needs, expectations, and lifestyle, but all seek a balance between personal life and communal living.

The Student

The student, often young, seeks accommodation close to their university, affordable, and where they can build a social network. For example, Samira, 21, studies at the University of Rabat. She comes from Casablanca and wishes to live near her campus without paying excessive rent. Sharing an apartment with three other female students, she enjoys a spacious residence in the Agdal neighborhood, where they support each other in their studies and share friendly moments.

The Young Professional

The young professional, early in their career, prioritizes well-located housing and wants to reduce expenses while living in a modern and dynamic environment. Ahmed, 26, works for a tech company in Casablanca. He wants to live in the vibrant Maarif district, but the rents there are high. By joining a house share with two other young professionals, he accesses a modern apartment close to his work while saving for future projects.

The Newcomer

The newcomer, moving to a new city or country, seeks quick integration and comfortable housing without spending too much. Fatima, 32, has just moved to Tangier for a new job. Not knowing anyone locally, she chooses house sharing for easier integration. She finds a share with two friendly locals who introduce her to the city, aiding in her adaptation.

The Senior

The senior, an older person, seeks to break social isolation while living in a pleasant and secure environment. Abdelkader, 65, decided to leave his large house, which became too solitary after his children left. He joins a house share with two other seniors in Marrakesh. They share expenses but, more importantly, enjoy convivial moments, helping him break the cycle of loneliness while staying active.

The Globe-Trotter

The globe-trotter, frequent traveler, or freelancer, looks for flexible housing solutions where he can stay temporarily without long-term commitments. Yassine, 29, is a freelance graphic designer. He spends several months a year traveling. When in Rabat, he lives in a shared apartment in the Ocean district. This flexibility allows him to reduce costs while enjoying a pleasant base when he returns to Morocco.

What are the benefits?

House sharing is not just an economic choice; it offers many other benefits that make it an attractive option for various profiles.

Financial Savings

One of the main advantages is the reduction of costs, including rent and bills, by sharing expenses with other roommates. For example, by sharing an apartment in Fes with two other people, Imane reduced her rent by half compared to what she would have paid for a studio. The money saved allows her to finance her studies abroad.

Enriched Social Life

Living with others allows you to build connections, share pleasant moments, and benefit from mutual support. This is the case of Rachid, 24, who moved to Marrakech for his first job. By joining a shared living arrangement, he quickly met other young professionals. Thanks to his roommates, he not only discovered the city but also expanded his social circle, turning this move into a positive experience.

Access to Higher Quality Housing

Thanks to shared living, it's possible to live in larger, better-located, or well-equipped accommodations that would be inaccessible for a single person. In a shared apartment with two friends in the heart of Casablanca, Zineb, 30, enjoys a large terrace with a city view and a modern equipped kitchen, luxuries she could not afford alone.

Flexibility

Shared living often offers greater flexibility, with the possibility to choose the duration of the stay, which is ideal for those in transition or with temporary needs. Mehdi, 28, works as a freelance consultant and often changes cities. Shared living allows him not to commit to long leases, which is perfect for his nomadic lifestyle.

The Challenges of Shared Living

Although shared living has many advantages, it is not without its challenges. It's important to know them to ensure a positive experience.

Compatibility Issues

Differences in personalities, lifestyles, or routines can sometimes create tensions between roommates. This is what Hind, 23, discovered when she moved in with two roommates she barely knew. Quickly, differences in lifestyle (late nights for some, early mornings for her) created tensions. She learned that carefully choosing roommates and discussing expectations from the start is crucial to avoid such conflicts.

Lack of Privacy

Sharing common spaces can reduce privacy, which can be a disadvantage for those who value their personal space. Redouane, 34, likes to spend time alone to recharge after a workday. Sharing a small apartment with two others sometimes tested him, especially when everyone was home at the same time. He had to find solutions, like reserving quiet moments in his room.

Managing Shared Expenses

Expense sharing can become a source of conflict if not well organized from the start. Living with three other people, Salma sometimes had disagreements about the distribution of shared expenses, such as electricity bills and groceries. A simple shared spreadsheet clarified the accounts and avoided misunderstandings.

Commitment and Responsibility

Each roommate must respect the shared living rules, which can require some commitment in terms of household chores and respect for others. Youssef, 27, joined a shared living where everyone had to contribute to household tasks. Initially, some roommates did not respect the cleaning turns, creating frustrations. A weekly schedule displayed on the fridge helped restore order and ensure an equitable sharing of responsibilities.

Things to Check Before Entering Shared Living

Before committing to shared living, it is essential to check certain aspects:

Roommate Compatibility

It is crucial to ensure that your future roommates share similar values and expectations regarding communal living. This is what Sara did by taking the time to meet her future roommates before committing. They discussed their lifestyles, how they like to organize their daily routines, and what they expected from each other. This preliminary discussion ensured that they were on the same page, thus avoiding future misunderstandings.

Contract Conditions

Carefully reading the roommate agreement is essential to understand the financial obligations, the distribution of expenses, and the house rules. Karim almost signed a roommate agreement without reading it carefully. Fortunately, he took the time to do so and discovered clauses that did not suit him, such as a too-long notice period. He was able to negotiate these points with the landlord before committing.

Household Chores Organization

It is important to discuss the distribution of household chores from the start to avoid misunderstandings. In her previous shared apartment, Amina often felt like she was doing more than the others. To avoid this in her new shared apartment, she proposed setting up a task schedule from the start, allowing everyone to participate equally. Another solution is to use the cleaning services of an agency.

Housing Verification

Make sure the accommodation meets your expectations in terms of comfort, amenities, and safety. Before committing, Youssef visited the apartment with a keen eye. He checked the condition of the installations, cleanliness, and even talked with the neighbors to ensure that the environment would suit him. This precaution saved him from unpleasant surprises once settled in.

By taking these precautions and making sure to get along well with your roommates, you maximize your chances of living in a harmonious and enriching shared apartment.

Finding a Roommate on Housing Place

For those looking for a shared apartment, Housing Place is an ideal platform. It allows you to search for shared apartment offers in specific neighborhoods, compare available options, and directly contact potential roommates. For example, Youssef, 25, had a hard time finding a shared apartment in Rabat. By using Housing Place, he was able to filter ads according to his criteria: budget, proximity to work, and the shared apartment atmosphere. He quickly found an apartment with two roommates who shared his interests.

Start your search for the ideal shared apartment now