Every home needs to be cleaned.  When people share housing the question arises about how the common areas that everyone uses are cleaned.  Here are three methods that work.

Hire a Pro

If you can afford it, the easiest, best way to get the house cleaned is to have someone else do it. Seriously – once every two weeks by a professional will avoid quite a lot of conflict about the quantity and quality of housecleaning.  Since you are saving money by sharing housing, you might be able to afford this option.

Rotate Chores Weekly

Figure out how many chores you have and divide them equally among the housemates. Decide if these chores are done weekly or every other week. Put chores in a set order and housemates in a set order and every week the chore shifts to the next person.

Areas of Responsibility

Create equitable areas of responsibility (vacuuming common rooms, taking out trash and recycling, washing kitchen floor, etc. ) divide them among housemates by preference. Each person is responsible for their area for a month. They can ask for a change at the end of the month. If no one wants a change each person keeps their area of responsibility.

Note

Obviously everyone has to carry their weight in actually doing their assigned chores.

Here is some excellent advice. It’s good anytime you are sharing housing whether as a resident or as a house guest.

I read them on a tile in a wonderful house in Western Massachusetts. I gather from a little Web exploration that there are other versions. This one seems very good to me.

If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you don’t know how to use it, leave it alone.
If you break it, fix it.
If you can’t fix it, report it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it doesn’t concern you, keep it that way.