Don’t Be an A-Hole: 10 Things to NEVER Do in a Co-Living Apartment
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Living with roommates can be amazing… or an absolute nightmare.
It all depends on one thing… YOU!
If you act like a decent human being, you’ll have an awesome time, make great friends, and actually enjoy coming home.
But if you turn into that roommate - the one everyone secretly (or openly) hates - you’ll be stuck in an uncomfortable situation for months.
So, unless you want to be the reason people whisper in the kitchen when you walk in, avoid these 10 co-living sins.
1. Hogging the Kitchen Like It’s Your Private Restaurant
The kitchen is a shared space, not your personal cooking show.
Spending three hours meal-prepping while blocking the sink, taking up all the counter space, and leaving a pile of dishes behind is a great way to make enemies fast.
The Fix:
Keep it quick when others are waiting.
Clean as you go. Nobody wants to cook in your mess.
Share essentials like salt, oil, and spices (or at least ask before borrowing).
❌ A-hole move: Frying fish at midnight and leaving the smell lingering for days.
✅ Good roommate move: Making extra food and offering some to your roommates.
2. Treating the Bathroom Like a War Zone
Nothing ruins a morning faster than stepping into a bathroom that looks like a crime scene.
Hair in the drain, water flooding the floor, toothpaste splatters on the mirror - it’s disgusting.
The Fix:
Wipe the sink and counter after using them.
Don’t leave your hair in the drain. Nobody wants to pick up your DNA.
Keep showers short if others are waiting.
❌ A-hole move: Using all the hot water and leaving behind a swamp.
✅ Good roommate move: Keeping bathroom time reasonable and leaving it clean for the next person.
3. Inviting People Over Without Warning
Your apartment is not a nightclub.
If you bring home friends (or “special guests”) at 3 AM without a heads-up, don’t be surprised if your roommates start locking their doors - or plotting your removal.
The Fix:
Give a heads-up in the group chat before bringing people over.
Respect quiet hours. Some people actually have classes in the morning.
Make sure guests follow the rules. Your roommate didn’t sign up to live with strangers.
❌ A-hole move: Turning the living room into an afterparty while your roommate has a morning exam.
✅ Good roommate move: Letting everyone know in advance and keeping the noise down.
4. Eating Other People’s Food
Unless you’ve been explicitly invited to eat something, keep your hands off.
Nothing builds instant rage faster than opening the fridge to find your food mysteriously missing.
The Fix:
Label your food to avoid “accidental” consumption.
If you take something, replace it.
Better yet, ask first. A simple “Hey, can I have some of this?” goes a long way.
❌ A-hole move: Eating someone’s last slice of pizza and denying it.
✅ Good roommate move: Buying extra snacks and offering to share.
5. Blasting Music Like You're a DJ in Mykonos
Your music taste might be fire, but not everyone wants to hear it at full volume.
Your walls are not soundproof.
The Fix:
Use headphones. This solves 99% of noise problems.
Keep the volume reasonable if you’re playing music out loud.
Be mindful of quiet hours. No one wants to wake up to your 2 AM techno session.
❌ A-hole move: Playing music so loud that your roommate starts learning the lyrics against their will.
✅ Good roommate move: Keeping music at a normal volume and using headphones when necessary.
6. Leaving Dishes in the Sink for Days
You think, I’ll clean it later…
But then later turns into tomorrow, and suddenly there’s a mountain of dishes growing mold.
The Fix:
Wash your dishes right after eating - or at least the same day.
Don’t “soak” dishes for three days. That’s just an excuse.
If you have to leave a dish, rinse it first. No one wants to scrub off dried pasta sauce.
❌ A-hole move: Acting shocked when your roommates call you out for leaving a science experiment in the sink.
✅ Good roommate move: Washing your stuff and helping out when the sink is full.
7. Treating Common Spaces Like Your Personal Dumping Ground
The living room is not your personal storage unit. Leaving your laundry, dirty plates, and random junk everywhere makes the place feel cluttered and gross.
The Fix:
Keep your stuff in your room. Simple.
Clean up after yourself. If you use the space, leave it how you found it.
Take out the trash if it’s overflowing. Don’t wait for someone else to do it.
❌ A-hole move: Leaving your shoes, bags, and old coffee cups scattered everywhere.
✅ Good roommate move: Keeping shared spaces clean so everyone can enjoy them.
8. Acting Like the Apartment Cleaner is Your Personal Maid
If your apartment has a cleaning service (lucky you), that doesn’t mean you get to live like a pig in between cleanings.
The Fix:
Do basic cleaning yourself. Wipe spills, sweep up crumbs, and take out the trash.
Respect the cleaning staff. They’re not here to pick up after you.
Don’t make things harder for them. If the cleaning service comes once a week, don’t let things get out of control before then.
❌ A-hole move: Leaving a disaster for the cleaner and assuming it’s “their job.”
✅ Good roommate move: Keeping things tidy so the cleaner’s job is easier.
9. Taking Up All the Storage Space
If you claim every kitchen cabinet, fill the fridge with your groceries only, and spread your stuff across every shelf, your roommates will resent you.
The Fix:
Stick to your designated space. Everyone should have equal storage.
Declutter regularly. Don’t let old groceries or expired food take up space.
Be mindful of fridge space. If you bought something two months ago and haven’t touched it, toss it.
❌ A-hole move: Using four shelves while your roommate struggles with one.
✅ Good roommate move: Making sure there’s enough space for everyone’s stuff.
10. Ignoring Basic Communication
Passive-aggressive sticky notes and silent treatment are not the way to handle issues.
If something bothers you, talk about it.
The Fix:
Use the group chat for quick updates.
Address issues directly but politely. No need for drama.
Be open to compromise. Living together means adjusting to each other.
❌ A-hole move: Leaving a sarcastic note instead of having a conversation.
✅ Good roommate move: Talking things out like an adult and finding solutions.
Final Thoughts
Co-living can be an amazing experience—if you’re a decent human being.
Follow these simple rules, respect your roommates, and you’ll have a stress-free, fun, and drama-free Erasmus stay.
And if you’re still looking for a fully furnished, move-in-ready apartment where you don’t have to worry about sketchy landlords or hidden fees, check out our listings.
We handle the housing headaches so you can focus on enjoying your time in Greece.
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