Sharing a kitchen in a shared house
The kitchen is where shared houses most often rub. A few habits keep it pleasant, and keep food safe.
Space
- Agree a fridge shelf, freezer drawer and cupboard space for each person. Label food.
- Clear out out-of-date food regularly, and keep raw meat covered on the bottom shelf.
- Agree what, if anything, is shared, such as oil, salt or cleaning products.
Cleaning
- Wash up and wipe surfaces after you cook. It is the one rule that solves most arguments.
- Agree who cleans the oven, hob and fridge, and when.
- Take bins out when full and know the collection days.
Odd hours
People cook before early shifts and after nights. Keep noise low, close doors gently and do not leave pans on a hob unattended. See shift work in a shared house.
Problems and repairs
Report broken appliances, leaks and anything unsafe, such as a faulty hob, to the landlord straight away; see repairs in a rented room. Working from home? See working from home in a rented room. For the rest of the house, see cleaning and bins. For personal disagreements, see living with housemates.
This is general information, not legal advice. See how renting with us works.
Common questions
How should a fridge be shared?
Agree a shelf or section for each person, label food, and clear out anything out of date regularly. Keep raw meat on the lowest shelf, covered.
Who cleans the kitchen?
A simple rota or a clean-as-you-go habit works best. Agree it in week one rather than after a problem.
Who deals with a broken appliance?
Tell the landlord promptly. Appliances the landlord provides are normally the landlord's to repair, depending on your agreement.