How to find a good flatmate as an international student — what to ask before committing

Before agreeing to live together:n

• Have a video or phone call — do not commit based on text messages alone
• Ask directly about sleep schedules, cooking habits, guests and cleanliness — these cause most flatmate conflicts
• Discuss bill-splitting arrangements in advance and put them in writing
• Look for someone at a similar life stage (postgrad with postgrad etc.)

nnGood platforms for finding flatmates:n

• SpareRoom.co.uk — the main UK platform
• Your university international student Facebook group
• UKBuddy city groups — connect with students in your city