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How to find a flat.
Other | Thursday 24th October 2013 | Alex
Isn't that just a lovely picture? A group of guys just being mates and cleaning the flat. It's a preposterous image if ever there was one. As someone who is currently trying to find a flat to share (all suggestions in the comments section, if you’d be so kind), I’m beginning to understand just how difficult it can be to find somewhere to live in this crazy city. London rent prices now stand at little over tuppence ha’penny than an arm and a leg so it’s inevitable that those of us who are permanently broke have to share.
If you’ve been to university, or been grafting hard since leaving school, you know the relief that keeping the ‘rents at arm’s length brings. Unfortunately, it comes with having to pay the rent. This can be a great opportunity to test your mettle while, simultaneously, causing a lot of sleepless nights. Ergo, a flat/house share may be your only choice.
The question stands though: how do you get someone or a group of people, to accept you into their home over a brew and a biccie as well as being sure they aren't going to murder you while you sleep? It’s a daunting proposition for most. You walk into a house, look these people in the eyes and get grilled about likes and dislikes, taste in music and film, how horrendous your crack addiction is, the list grows ever longer.
The BBC have followed up on John Birmingham’s new book covering this very topic, it makes for pretty obvious reading. Not in any negative capacity, rather it highlights common sense stuff that anyone looking for a flat share should be doing; don’t come across as boring, don’t over step the line, don’t take the p*ss. You get the picture. More than this, he states that “The Archetypes never die.” In déjà vu situations like the one we encounter here, it will always be the case that people will have similar stories.
I recall having read an article once which explained how there were only ever 8 endings to any plotline, a sentiment echoed by Birmingham when he says there are only a finite number of flatmates in the world. If you can’t spot the messy/annoying/permanently drunken flatmate, maybe start with the man/woman/mammal in the mirror.
So, which one are you? Do you wander in at 3am and start “chefing” up or are you the parental figure that keeps everyone ticking along nicely like Xavi does for Barcelona? Best response wins nothing in particular, apart from a chuckle or two.
Alex Taylor
