They say don’t dip your pen in the company ink but what about the room next door?
A survey conducted by The River on student relationships has revealed a trend at Kingston University: flatcest – when housemates become romantically or sexually involved. 56% had replied saying they were involved and 43% said they lived in a flat of flatcest. What often starts as harmless flirting can quickly spiral into something more complicated.
A couple of university students responded to our anonymous survey and the results varied. From fresher’s week flings to relationship drama, these stories show what happens when convenience collides with attraction in shared accommodation.
Living in close quarters blurs boundaries, the excitement of starting university coupled up with wanting to meet new people and experience new things brings out a lot in the first couple of weeks of university. You see each other hungover, heartbroken and half-dressed more often than not. Add alcohol, stress and late nights to the mix and it’s easy to see how one thing can lead to another.
“Humans are not equipped to be alone and living together is intimate,” says Helen Ross, a professional marriage counsellor.
Once the line has been crossed, there’s no going back.
“Intimacy is now a common practice without love or trust. It comes before the relationship,” she adds.
Confessions from flats:
“Supposed best friend f*cked my ex-girlfriend while they lived together in a uni house. Don’t care that he f*cked her, only that he chose to hide the truth. Five candles in their jar. Dripping into each other.”
“My flatmate from first year and her ex got drunk after a night out and got together again. They said it was a one-off but it wasn’t, she got pregnant. They both had to drop out.”
“Live in a flat of six, two of my flatmates were secretly sleeping together and it turned out two others were as well. It was so messy but very funny.”
“We started studying together and one thing led to another.”
“We shared a kitchen with the flat opposite us and my friend got with a guy from each one and then had to avoid using the kitchen because it was very awkward.”
“My friend’s housemates have all been with each other at some point during the two years they lived together. Like full on slept together.”
“In my first year we were all drinking and getting to know each other, I ended up sleeping with one of my flatmates and when we woke up he pretended nothing happened. He barely spoke to me after that.”
“My current boyfriend slept with my old flatmate in first year, I found out recently and broke up with him.”
“My flatmate came back in September heartbroken over a girl he met over the summer and f*cked three girls in our flat. They are all best friends.”
Verdict: Flatcest might make your student life more interesting but sometimes the best way to keep the peace is to keep your hands (and your heart) to yourself.
