Most flatshare disasters were predictable at the viewing — people just didn't ask. Whether you're interviewing potential flatmates or being interviewed yourself, these twenty questions surface the things that actually decide whether a London flatshare works.
Money (Ask These First)
1. How is rent split — equally, or by room size? 2. Whose name are the bills in, and how are they settled each month? 3. Is there a kitty for shared stuff like washing-up liquid and bin bags? 4. What happened with the last deposit — full return? 5. What happens financially if someone leaves early?
That last one matters most. On a joint tenancy, a leaver's rent becomes everyone's problem. (It's also the question co-living removes entirely — individual contracts mean nobody inherits anyone's rent. How that works: our flatmates guide.)
Daily Life
6. What time does the flat actually go quiet on weeknights? 7. How often do guests stay over — and is a partner three nights a week a guest or a resident? 8. How is cleaning handled: rota, cleaner, or chaos? 9. Does anyone work from home all day? 10. Cooking habits — shared dinners, separate shelves, or somewhere between? 11. Any pets, or allergies? 12. Smoking or vaping rules, inside and on the balcony?
The Practical Stuff People Forget
13. How old is the boiler — and who do you call when it dies in January? 14. What's the WiFi speed at 8pm, not at noon? 15. Is there a TV licence, and who pays it? 16. How warm is the flat in winter, honestly? 17. Where does the deposit get protected — which government scheme? (If they can't answer, walk. It's the law. Deposits explained.)
The Compatibility Check
18. What's the best thing about living here — and the most annoying? 19. Why is the room free? 20. What would your ideal flatmate do differently from the last one?
Question 19 is the quiet workhorse: "she moved in with her partner" is a fine answer; a long pause is information too.
Red Flags Worth Walking Away From
Cash-only deposits with no protection scheme. Landlords who won't put "bills included" specifics in writing (here's why that matters). Rooms shown only after dark. Pressure to transfer money before you've seen a contract.
Or Skip the Interview Entirely
If twenty questions with strangers sounds exhausting, there's the pre-sorted route: at Nook, the flat is furnished, bills are bundled into one weekly price from £215/week (subject to room availability), everyone has their own contract, and viewings usually include meeting a flatmate or two. See who you'd be living with.
