Your go-to guide for thriving in Leonard Horner Hall:

Sharing a kitchen and bathroom in student accommodation can feel a little daunting at first — but it’s also one of the best opportunities to learn independence, make lifelong friends, and build a respectful community. With the right habits and mindset, shared living can be a genuinely enjoyable experience.

Here’s your go-to guide for thriving in Leonard Horner Hall:

🧼 Clean As You Go

Shared spaces rely on everyone playing their part. Keeping things clean helps ensure they’re pleasant and usable for all.

• Wipe down surfaces after cooking or brushing your teeth.
• Work together on bigger tasks like emptying bins or cleaning the fridge and oven.
• Don’t leave dishes to soak for days — others need to use the sink too!

Top tip: Label your food and toiletries to avoid mix-ups or misunderstandings.

🗣 Communication Is Key

Living with people from different backgrounds and routines means communication really matters.

• Set up a flat group chat to stay connected and organise shared responsibilities.
• Raise concerns calmly and respectfully — skip the passive-aggressive notes.
• Consider using a rota or calendar to share cleaning or bin duties fairly. 

🚪 Respect Each Other’s Boundaries

Even in communal living, personal space and boundaries are essential.

• Don’t borrow items unless you’ve been given permission.
• Keep noise down late at night or early in the morning. The quiet hours on campus are between 11 pm - 7 am, and repeat incidents may result in a £50 fine. 
• Knock before entering bathrooms or bedrooms — better safe than sorry!
• Only use the bathroom and kitchen you’ve been assigned — using others’ spaces can cause issues, and you may be reported.
• You’re welcome to have friends over to cook or eat with you, but please check with your flatmates each time — unannounced or frequent guests can make others uncomfortable.
• Overnight guests must be reported to ResLife, and please make sure that your flatmates are happy with your visitors. For more information on overnight guests click here

🍳 Be Kitchen Smart

A shared kitchen can get messy quickly. Help keep it manageable:

• Label your food clearly and don’t touch anything that isn’t yours.
• Stick to your own shelves in the fridge or cupboards.
• Wash up straight after you cook to keep things tidy and fair.

Bonus: Cooking together can be a great way to bond with your flatmates — just make sure everyone’s on board!

🚿 Bathroom Etiquette

Respect goes a long way when sharing bathroom facilities:

• Keep showers short during busy times.
• Don’t leave towels or toiletries lying around.
• Report any issues (like blockages or broken lights) via the QR code in your kitchen.
• Please don’t take the toilet rolls — they’re for everyone!

While cleaners visit regularly, it’s still your responsibility to keep things tidy day-to-day.

🔒 Safety & Hygiene

Your safety and wellbeing matter:

• Keep your bedroom and kitchen doors locked, even when you’re inside — it’s best practice for everyone’s safety.
• If you’re feeling unwell, let your flatmates know and avoid shared spaces as much as possible.

💬 Don’t Suffer in Silence

If anything’s bothering you — from mess to noise to conflict — you’re not alone. The ResLife team is here to support you.

Living with others isn’t always easy, but it’s an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and create lasting memories. Be kind, be considerate, and take pride in your space.

Welcome to Leonard Horner — you’ve got this!