TasklyFamilyHow to split chores in a student flat
Four people, one bathroom, one kitchen and different timetables. Here’s how to set up a split that lasts the whole year, with a template or an app.
Step 1: list the shared chores
| Chore | How often | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Tidy the kitchen | Every day | Low |
| Take out bins and recycling | 2–3 times a week | Low |
| Clean the bathroom | Weekly (one per bathroom) | High |
| Vacuum and mop the floors | Weekly | Medium |
| Clean the hob and worktops | Twice a week | Medium |
| Restock shared basics (toilet paper, soap) | Weekly | Low |
Step 2: choose how to split them
- Rotating rota: each week everyone gets a block. Simple, but if someone is away for the weekend, it falls apart.
- By points: each chore is worth its effort and at the end of the week you see who contributed most. More flexible with different timetables.
- By chance: a wheel hands out odd jobs. Ideal for the ones nobody wants.
Step 3: spreadsheet or app
| Paper or spreadsheet | App | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting it up | Quick | Quick |
| Knowing what’s yours today | You have to check it | Phone notification |
| Ticking off what’s done | Hardly anyone does | One tap |
| Seeing who pulls their weight | By eye | Automatic leaderboard |
| When someone moves out | Start again | Remove them, done |
The template works for the first two weeks. What keeps the split going all year is that it’s visible, that ticking things off takes a second and that there’s a bit of game to it: a flat prize (“fewest points buys the pizzas”) changes the conversation.
FAQ
What’s the fairest way to split cleaning in a student flat?
A points system based on effort is usually fairest when timetables differ, because everyone contributes when they can and the weekly total is visible.
Which app helps split chores in a shared flat?
TasklyFamily has a free shared flat mode: everyone is an admin, the plan suggests routines based on bathrooms and shared areas, and there’s a leaderboard, a wheel and duels for the chores nobody wants.