How to Prevent Conflicts

Honesty

Be honest and upfront about how you wish to share your home. Do not leave important things unsaid, this can lead to resentment and tension in the household.

For example, do you mind if the renter uses your spices or flour? If it bothers you, do not give them permission.

Don’t Delay

Do not ignore things that bother you. By bringing irritants to the attention of the other person it will help you understand each other. If the Guest is not familiar with your methods or expectations they may appear to be disrespectful, however they are likely just misinformed. The earlier you discuss the irritants and how to resolve it, the easier it will be.

Don’t Assume

Do not assume the other person knows what you are thinking. There are many ways people express themselves, non-verbal clues or unclear instructions can lead to conflicts. When something needs to be done, explain it to the other person and ask them to repeat how they understand it. 

Tip: Always associate a time with a task, for example: “Can you take out the garbage before 7:00 AM”?

60/40 Rule

When sharing household chores split them 60/40. You will likely never feel chores are equally shared if you expect a 50/50 split. Instead go in with the mindset that you will do 60%. You will likely find that others are willing to do a little more if you lead with a good example.

Tip: If others are not doing their fair share of cleaning, ask them to join you in cleaning the house. It is a lot more motivating to clean while others are doing the same.

Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries is fundamental for conflict prevention. Boundaries vary from what items you are comfortable sharing to how much quiet time or privacy a person needs. Your boundaries are likely different from others; have an honest discussion at the beginning of your living arrangement to establish your boundaries.