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From: jay@npois.UUCP (Anton Winteroak)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: sharing a house
Message-ID: <409@npois.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 4-Sep-85 11:27:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: npois.409
Posted: Wed Sep  4 11:27:33 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Sep-85 08:20:02 EDT
Organization: ATTIS, Neptune, NJ
Lines: 28


Steve Katzman was looking for hints about how five people may comfortably
live in the same house. While I am not an expert, I have nine years
of experience.

What I have found causes the most hard feelings in this sort of situation
is one or more people being delinquent paying their share of rent or bills.
If all people are professionals, there should be enough money around that
this won't happen.
The second has to do with keeping things orderly, and maintained. Who
does their share, get annoyed with those that don't. I strongly recommend
getting every labor saving appliance, and make an agreement as to the
value of each task (compare it to hiring a maid, or maintenance man)
and have the group hire someone to do it. Often the group will hire
one of it's own members, who needs the money. If no one needs the
money, hire a maid.
Meals are the hardest part. Young adults often have varying schedules.
I suggest that you have two refridgerators, or plan to eat out a lot.
Make a rule that no one leaves dishes in the sink, on the stove, or 
counter tops. 
If everybody is working, noise late at night, on weeknights probably
won't be a problem.
Hire someone outside the group to maintain the lawn, and shovel or plow
the driveway and walks.
Anyway, good luck, it can be a very good experience. Just try to avoid
having anyone feel that they are being taken advantage of, and it will
all work out fine.