🧽 How to Deal With Messy Housemates (Without Starting World War 3)

Living in a student house can be one of the best parts of uni life — shared dinners, late-night chats, and questionable movie choices at 1am. But let’s be honest: nothing tests your patience quite like dirty dishes that have been “soaking” for four days.

If your housemate’s cleaning standards are… questionable, and you’re tired of passive-aggressive fridge notes, this guide is for you.

Let’s talk about how to have those awkward conversations, set expectations early, and keep the peace — and the kitchen — clean.

🚩 Spotting the Signs of a Messy Housemate

You probably already know who the culprit is, but here are a few giveaways:

• Crusty cereal bowls stacking up next to the sink

• Hairballs forming their own ecosystem in the shower drain

• Bin bags “decorating” the hallway

• A kitchen that smells like it’s fermenting

Before you lose your mind, take a breath — there’s a better way to handle this.

🗣️ Tip 1: Talk Early, Talk Calmly

The biggest mistake? Saying nothing and letting resentment build.

Don’t wait until you’re furious to bring it up. Choose a calm moment (ideally not when you’re scrubbing someone else’s mouldy plate) and say something like:

“Hey, I wanted to chat quickly about cleaning — I feel like we’re not all on the same page and it’s starting to get a bit frustrating. Can we work out a way that works for everyone?”

Use “I” statements (e.g. “I feel” or “I’ve noticed”) rather than accusations (“You never clean up!”).

📝 Tip 2: Make a Simple Cleaning Plan

Yes, it sounds boring. No, it doesn’t have to be.

Try making a shared cleaning rota and putting it on the fridge or in a WhatsApp group. You can use free apps like:

• Tody

• OurHome

• Splitwise (for tracking shared costs like cleaning supplies)

Keep it flexible — assign weekly tasks like:

• Kitchen tidy

• Bathroom clean

• Rubbish out

• Living room vacuum

🎯 Top tip: Don’t just assign people rooms. Assign specific tasks. “Mop the kitchen floor” is better than “clean kitchen”.

👂 Tip 3: Ask Questions, Don’t Lecture

Sometimes housemates genuinely don’t realise their habits bother others. Try asking:

• “What would help you stay on top of cleaning?”

• “Would you prefer alternating weeks or set tasks?”

• “Is there anything you find difficult about cleaning up?”

By involving them in the solution, you’re more likely to get buy-in — and less likely to end up being the only one scrubbing the toilet.

🤝 Tip 4: Set Some Non-Negotiables

You don’t need a military schedule, but a few basic ground rules help. For example:

• Don’t leave food waste in bedrooms

• Take bins out when full

• Don’t leave shared spaces a mess overnight

You can agree to these together as a house and even write them down somewhere visible — especially helpful if you’re a group of people who didn’t know each other before moving in.

💬 Tip 5: Use Your Group Chat Wisely

Avoid one-on-one confrontation by posting gentle reminders in your house group chat. Something like:

“Hey! Just a reminder it’s your turn to do the bathroom this week. Let me know if you want to swap!

Group chats are great for low-pressure nudges — just keep it light and friendly. No all-caps rants needed.

🛠️ Tip 6: Make Cleaning Easier

If cleaning feels like a chore (because, well, it is), try making it less painful:

• Keep supplies visible and stocked (get a shared cleaning caddy)

• Blast a cleaning playlist or TikTok timer

• Schedule a quick group clean before pres or a Sunday reset

• Reward yourselves — e.g. takeaway night after a deep clean!

🚨 Tip 7: When It’s Really Not Working…

If someone’s still ignoring everything and it’s affecting your mental health, it might be time to speak to student support and your student lettings agency.

At Student Housing, we want you to feel comfortable in your home. If a cleanliness issue becomes a bigger concern (e.g. attracting pests, affecting your ability to use shared spaces), get in touch and we’ll help where we can — whether that’s mediating, sending cleaning tips, or scheduling a professional deep clean (at cost).