Co-living has taken off across Asia and this rising trend has especially seen an increase in Singapore. Co-living in Singapore has become a great way for people to socialize, make new friends, and save some money on the side. With real estate becoming more and more expensive, co-living shows no signs of slowing down! 

However, for people trying co-living for the very first time, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure the experience is safe and fun. Don’t just jump into the co-living ball pit head first! 

If you think about it (hope I’m not adding to your worries, here), essentially you will be sharing a space with total strangers. If that doesn’t put you ever slightly on-guard, I don’t know what will. Having said that, don’t let this fear ruin your co-living experience.

Just keep some of these tips at the back of your head and follow these steps to ensure your safety and you’ll have a ball!

1. Keep your door locked 

For young professionals, shared living offers the perfect way to stay social while saving money on each month’s rent. However, when you’re sharing a home make sure you always lock your door before going out for the night. 

Even if you trust your roommates, you may not know the friends they invite over. At the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep your door locked to avoid any uncomfortable and unsafe situation. 

This is especially important if you’re a digital nomad as you’ll often find yourself away from home for long periods of time. Also, don’t forget to lock your door at night.

If you don’t already, you should start locking your door when you go to bed. Sleep easy knowing that no one will enter your room and mess with your private stuff while you’re drifting off in dreamland.

2. Put your valuables away 

Most likely, you won’t have any problems with your roommates. Yet, it’s always a great idea to play it safe and look after your belongings. Make sure you always store away any valuables; like your computer, phone, money, and jewellery.

I’m not asking you to purchase a safe or anything like that! Just clean after yourself in communal areas or working spaces, and put your possessions in your room. Not only will you keep your items safe but also your roommates will appreciate that effort you’ve made to keep the co-living spaces clean and tidy.

Side note: If you’re looking for a co-living space with weekly housekeeping services, community events and group activities, check out this great option!

3. Keep your roommates updated 

In a co-living situation, roommates are like your family, so it’s time to start treating them like one – and take advantage of the situation. You need to keep your roommates updated on what you’re up to. If you go away for the weekend make sure you let everyone know. 

You don’t want them to worry about where you are. On top of this, it also means that they’ll be aware if anything goes wrong. Once again, like a lot of tips on this list, this probably won’t happen to you. 

However, it’s all about keeping safe and helping each other out. This is what the co-living experience is all about!

4. Medical emergency 

Moving to a new city can be tough, especially if it’s your first time away from your home and family. This is why it’s important to build a strong and trusting relationship with your communal living roommates. 

Make sure everyone has your family’s contact details, so they can contact them in case of an emergency. Also, if you have any medical issues, make sure you let everyone know. Living away from home can be hard, but it’s so much better when you have great people that you can rely on! 

5. Lay down some rules

Everyone joins a shared-living situation to have fun. However, it’s essential to lay down some rules from day one to make sure everyone is on the same page. 

Be aware of your own likes and dislikes and pay close attention to that of your co-living-mates too. Explain to them what you feel is important. Maintaining a healthy relationship with full transparency is important in avoiding conflict.

If you have a reason to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, speak to the people you love with and let them know you are affected by these certain actions. Conflict under the same roof can escalate rapidly. So it’s best to avoid having to encounter/create such situations.

6. Learn about the area

When you’re moving to a new area it’s important to learn about the neighbourhood. This is where community managers are really useful. Talk to them and other people from the area for advice and safety tips. For instance, they might let you know of shady areas that you should avoid at night. This is a great way to make an informed decision about your safety.

7. Know your roommates 

This next one might be tough to judge right off the bat but a meet-and-greet is a nice way to get to know potential roommates. However, if you find a place through a real estate agency they will usually do a background check. 

By finding a co-living home with a company you will be 100% confident that your brand new co-living neighbours are trust-worthy!

8. Mobile app

There are a lot of great mobile apps that can connect you with your roommates. For example, many people use Whatsapp or Facebook messenger to make co-living groups. This is a fun way to update each other on news, information, and social events. 

9. Label items 

Many household arguments break out over missing or broken items. If you have something important to you in a communal area, put your name on it. Whether it’s food, an appliance, utensil, or crockery. 

Doing this will help you void any unnecessary arguments and falling-outs. It will also remind your roommates to take extra care of your things.

10. Emergency exit

When you first move into a co-living space, memorize the emergency exit procedure. You’re in an unfamiliar building and area, which could be confusing if you’re in an emergency.

Be prepared and aware, to keep you and your roommates safe. This tip might seem a little crazy but better safe than sorry.

11. Install an alarm

Have a chat with your new roommates about investing in an alarm system together. If you all chip in, it won’t even cost that much! First and foremost, you’ll need a fire alarm. However, it’s also a great idea to get an intruder alarm as well. Once you take this safety precaution, you can kick back and enjoy the experience.

If you are renting an apartment via services like MetroResidences, ask them about alarms and safety features install in each property.

Just follow these simple co-living safety tips you’ll be sure to enjoy every co-living adventure!