Share Houses

Shared households are popular with students because they can provide an opportunity for an independent lifestyle in a shared environment. They are generally also the cheapest housing option.

People in a share household usually lease their property from a real estate agent or landlord. Share houses range in size and condition and are organised around the house rules the household sets.

Each person has their own bedroom to furnish, whilst the bathroom, kitchen and living room are 'common areas' for everyone. Bills are usually shared. Food is either bought communally or each person does individual shopping and has their own storage area in the kitchen.

If you are looking to move into an established share house, you could potentially be moving in with strangers. This may be a bit daunting at first, but it can also be a great way to meet new people. It may also mean you save money on the establishment costs of connection fees and getting furniture and appliances.

Alternatively, you can create your own share house by organising a group of friends or acquaintances to rent a vacant property with you.

Finding a suitable vacancy in an established share house may take time. If you are considering living in a share house, think about the type of house and social situation you prefer.

• Do you want a quiet studious house or a busy social house?
• Would you like to share with one other person or several others?
• Are you and your future housemates 'house trained' (i.e. do you know how to cook, clean, do laundry, pay bills, pay rent etc)?

Make sure you are clear about what kind of household you want to live in and that you talk about this with your prospective housemates.

Use the phone to speak with prospective housemates before you visit the property. Asking questions to assess appropriate options can help minimise your search time.

How do You Organise it?

If you want to establish your own share house you will need to start a tenancy with a real estate agent or private landlord.

If you want to move into an already established share house you need to access advertisements for vacant rooms.

Vacancies are usually advertised in the Domain section of The Age or other local newspapers, cafes, bookshops, notice boards, on the web and through the housing services at various universities.

AccomNet Housing Database

Our AccomNet housing database provides listings of share house vacancies as well as other housing options. You can access AccomNet online. Alternatively advertisements are printed and posted on noticeboards in the Baldwin Spencer Building.

Noticeboards in Carlton

• Student Housing Services, Ground Floor, Baldwin Spencer Building (advertisements generated from AccomNet database);
• Union House, Ground Floor near stairwell;
• Readings Bookstore, 309 Lygon Street, Carlton (notices on the laneway window are changed every Thursday evening);
• Many faculties and departments also have notice boards for student use.

Online Resources

• www.services.unimelb.edu.au/housing/accomnet
• www.domain.com.au
• www.realestate.com.au/
• www.flatmates.com.au
• www.flatmatefinders.com.au
• melbourneexchange.com.au/
• melbourne.gumtree.com.au/
• www.housecarers.com

Share House Disputes

Sometimes things don't work out the way you thought they might. You may have thought your best friend would be a great person to live with. This is not always the case and disputes sometimes arise between housemates.

Refer to our share house disputes page for more advice on this subject.

More Information

We produce a useful 'Renting and Sharing a Property' guide. Check out our Publications page to download a copy.