Foundation · Housing

Living with flatmates

Your goal: talk about house rules, cleaning, and sharing common spaces. Polite communication for a happy shared home.

1

Survival Phrases

Cleaning and Chores

  • Whose turn is it to clean the kitchen?
  • Can you take the bins out, please?
  • I'll do the washing up later.

Sharing and Space

  • Is it okay if I have a friend over?
  • Can I use some of your milk?
  • The fridge is quite full.
2

Model Dialogue

Flatmate A: Hi! Is it okay if I use the washing machine now?

Flatmate B: Sure, go ahead. By the way, whose turn is it to buy toilet paper?

Flatmate A: Oh, I think it's mine. I'll get some today.

Flatmate B: Great, thanks. Also, I'm having a small dinner party on Friday. Is that okay?

Flatmate A: No problem at all! Do you need help with the cooking?

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationPolite (New Flatmate)Casual (Close Friend)
Asking to borrowWould you mind if I used your...?Can I use your...?
CleaningI think it's your turn to...You need to clean the...
4

Typical Mistakes

  • I want to make a party. → I'm having a party / guests over.
  • Who cleans today? → Whose turn is it to clean?
5

Culture Note

  • Cleaning Rota: Many shared houses have a list on the fridge called a "rota" to show who cleans what each week.
  • Labels: Some people put their names on their food in the fridge. If it has a name, don't eat it!
6

Practical Task

  1. Negotiate. Write a message to a flatmate asking to use the kitchen for a big cooking session.
  • ☐ask for permission to have guests?
  • ☐talk about cleaning turns?
  • ☐politely ask to borrow something?