Choosing your housemates can sometimes feel like assembling a team for a pub quiz. Sure, you could gather your closest mates… But what if they're terrible at trivia?
In other words, the ideal friends for Friday night drinks might not always be your dream housemates. So, how do you pick the right people and secure the perfect student house in Leeds?
Well, buckle up, because we've got some friendly advice (and a few real-life stories) to make this journey easier.
Compatibility: More than Just Good Banter
First things first: compatibility matters. We don't mean matching horoscopes—although a Leo might clash with your Virgo tendencies. Think practically. Are you a neat freak, or does washing up pile high until someone's forced to buy paper plates? According to the 2025 National Student Accommodation Survey by Save the Student, 84% of students reported issues with housemates, with 64% citing unwashed dishes and 56% pointing to a lack of participation in cleaning as major concerns. Yikes.
Consider this cautionary tale from a disgruntled student: “One of my housemates was an early riser (up at 6 am most days). They would always wear their shoes in the kitchen and make an unbelievable amount of noise.”
Daily routines can seriously impact harmony, so communicate clearly!
Aligning Your Budgets: Beer or Bills?
Budgeting might sound about as exciting as a 9 am lecture after a night out at Fruity, but trust us, it's crucial. Sit down and talk openly about money: what's your maximum monthly spend? Are bills inclusive, or will heating arguments rival the thermostat wars of your family home?
Interestingly, Leeds remains one of the UK's more affordable student cities. According to Save the Student's 2024 report, the average monthly rent for Leeds students hovers around £526 per person. But remember—fancy houses in Headingley might tempt you, but if you're strapped for cash, places in Hyde Park or Woodhouse could better match your budget without sacrificing convenience.
Course-Mixing Magic
Here's a thought: diversify your housemates' courses. An all-law-student house might seem ideal for revision, but imagine the stress when exam season hits everyone simultaneously. Meanwhile, mixing disciplines can mean broader networks and fewer late-night panics about the same assignment deadlines.
Jake, who is studying Math, shared online: "I lived with an Art student and two from Biology. We rarely overlapped study stress, and I learned how to critique modern art—useful for impressing dates."
Location, Location, Leeds!
You've sorted housemates—great. Now, picking your Leeds location. If your squad studies mostly at the University of Leeds' main campus, Woodhouse and Hyde Park offer a short stumble to lectures and essentials like Mythos, a Greek takeaway or the iconic Hyde Park Pub.
For those studying at Leeds Beckett City Campus, places like Burley and Headingley provide frequent bus connections, and more coffee shops per square mile than your dissertation can handle.
A Word of Wisdom
Before signing on that dotted line, do a collective gut check.
Visit potential houses together, imagine yourselves cooking Sunday roasts (or more realistically, pot noodles) and navigating morning shower queues.
And avoid scenarios like these shared online:
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"She would literally walk into the kitchen even if I was in there and take my food out, make a plate, and then leave."
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"Cue snotty post-it notes being left behind... I pointed out I was meeting their demands. They said it was inconsiderate of me to eat late because how do they get any rest?"
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"From the day I moved into this house share, I clocked that my housemate's boyfriend was around a lot... I decided to ask him to pay rent."
Remember, a viewing isn’t just inspecting four walls and carpets; it’s visualising your daily life.
Take the plunge thoughtfully, and your housemates might just become lifelong friends—or at least, people you won’t pretend not to know when you bump into them at Trinity Leeds two years later.
