What sharehouse managers don’t want you to see.

Unlike roomsharing, sharehouses have managers who live on-site with the residents. They decide the themes and rules, and the residents abide by those rules and ground their lifestyles according to the themes. Without a sound management, the sharehouse loses its meaning. In other words, the skills of a sharehouse manager is a good indicator of how pleasant the sharehouse experience will be. A good manager will leave no stone unturned to ensure the residents can have a great experience. We’ve put together a list of areas where managers inadvertently cut corners. When previewing a sharehouse, be sure to covertly check the following areas before making your decision.

Which areas do the managers not want you to see?

We’ve compiled a list of areas that sharehouse managers don’t want you to see. These areas serve as indicators of how well the place is run, but be careful not to be too blunt about it. Persistent questioning will definitely irritate managers. Moreover, if the manager is sensitive, you’ll probably be dinged during the screening process. The foundation of sharehouses rests on the trust that residents place on one another. Being stubborn and unrelenting over minute details will surely undermine the trust among housemates. To that end, it’s best to be discreet when looking over these areas.

The Back of the Toilet Seat

Do a quick check when using the restroom. You probably wouldn’t like it if it was dirty. Toilets are an integral part of our daily lives so it’s permissible to be a little meticulous.

Inside the Refrigerators and Common Storage Areas

Just say you want to peek inside out of pure curiosity. If things are shoved inside with no organization whatsoever, it gives you a clue on their lifestyles. They say you can perceive an individual’s personality by looking at how cluttered their desk is; the same principle applies in areas like these.

Washing Machine Lint, Windowsills, Air-Conditioning Filters

These are all areas that are somewhat hard to clean. In other words, if these areas are clean, it serves as evidence that the place is periodically cleaned in a well manner. However, these areas are also hard to look at in a discreet manner, so if you have questions regarding cleaning, it’s easier to just ask how often and how extensively the place is cleaned.

Shower and Sink Drains

Take a quick look at the drains when you enter the shower rooms. Areas with water get dirty easily, so clean drains deserve some recognition.

Ashtrays

For smokers, it’s important that ashtrays are cleared of cigarettes periodically. In addition, check the smoking rules to avoid any trouble between smokers and non-smokers in the house.

Find a suitable sharehouse by looking at the big picture.

Be discreet but thorough when you inspect the above elements at a prospective sharehouse. You be the judge: the house may be slightly disorganized and messy, but some people appreciate that kind of atmosphere. Even if you’re the extremely tidy type of person who likes to keep everything neat and clean, don’t focus too much on the minute details. Instead, look at the big picture and see if you like the overall ambience of the sharehouse.