So you’ve started spending a lot of time at your boyfriend’s house – maybe you hate your housemates, or can’t get enough of your new relationship, or maybe they just have the heating on more at his place. Whatever your motivation, it’s easy to start treating your boyfriend’s flat like your own – what’s his is yours and all that.
But there’s one key difference: you don’t pay rent there. With that in mind, it’s a good idea not to piss everyone off by commandeering the kitchen or clogging up the shower with your hair. Given rent now costs more than we care to acknowledge, it’s understandable if people get a bit touchy about all things shared-house related, whether that’s racking up expensive bills or eating the last of someone’s precious cornflakes.
READ MORE: Six Things You Learn After Moving In With Your Boyfriend
To avoid getting to the point where your boyfriend’s housemates secretly hate you, here’s how to keep the peace.
**Live By The 50% Rule
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If you’re spending over half your time there, you’re probably overdoing it. Sure, you’re a great person and everything and, hey, maybe you even help with the washing up sometimes – but no amount of pan scrubbing can change the fact that your boyfriend’s housemates didn’t actually sign up to live with you. Apart from the whole outstaying your welcome issue, if you’re spending all your time at your boyfriend’s then you’re kind of blowing unnecessary rent money on your own overpriced cupboard of a bedroom you occasionally call home. Have you checked your bank balance lately? At least try and keep up the illusion that your money is being well spent.
READ MORE: Why I'd Always Pick Boys Over Girls As Housemates
Take A Democratic Approach To Bathroom Politics
No one likes a shower hogger. In a perfect world, your morning routine slots in easily with the rest of the house. Ideally you want to be able to have a shower without a) being left with no hot water; b) preventing someone who actually lives there from showering; and c) being late for work. Although, if we’re being honest, then that last one is sort of optional. Also if you’ve started keeping more than just a toothbrush in the bathroom you should probably re-evaluate your life. Or at least tread carefully – if you’re buying a second mascara to keep in their bathroom, you’re on dangerous ground.
And while we’re on bathroom territory – his housemates probably won’t love the idea of you two shagging in the shower. No one’s saying don’t have shower sex, but maybe do it while everyone’s out so they can continue showering in blissful ignorance.
READ MORE: Here's How Much Money Your Housemates Bad Habits Are Actually Costing You
**If You Have To Argue, Don’t Make It Awkward
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His housemates don’t want to feel like children of divorce while they listen to you fight about how one of you never listens to the other/how you always do the washing up/how you never get to watch what you want on Netflix (delete as appropriate depending on your priorities in life). On a related note: they also probably don’t want to hear your really loud make-up sex.
READ MORE: What Your Pyjamas Say About The State Of Your Relationship
Don’t Be That Couple
Which leads me on to my next point: PDA-ing all over the sofa is not cool. And don’t even think about the kitchen – come on, people are trying to prepare food there. And when it comes to sex, don’t think they can’t hear you just because you’re in the bedroom with the door closed. There’s a 99% chance they can. It’s not a coincidence that they’ve taken to playing very loud music every time you kids head for the bedroom.
Don’t Force Your Beliefs On Them
You might suddenly be really into aerial yoga and veganism, but if his housemates want to remain without zen and eat Dominos, just let them live their lives. On a similar note, if you’re aware they have very different political views, maybe steer clear of engaging in heated political debate. It’s almost guaranteed not to end well for anyone involved.
Like this? Then you might be interested in:
The Endless Problems Of Living Between Your Home And Your Boyfriend's House
Why Are We OK With Girls Who Live With Their Parents, But Not Guys?
Follow Izzy on Twitter @IzzyAron
Picture: Lukasz Wierzbowski
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.