About flatmate.com

Independent, bootstrapped, and quietly connecting flatmates since 1998 — now going through the biggest update in our history.

After 27 years of quietly helping people find each other, we’re rolling out the most ambitious set of changes we’ve ever shipped. John Stericker and Jayen Ashar are genuinely excited — this round introduces features that no other flatmate platform in the world offers, and the whole thing is free to use while we build it out.

Some highlights:

• Built-in video calling within messages — a first for a flatmate site. Jump on a peer-to-peer video call directly from any message thread. No apps, no phone number exchange, no middleman — the call goes straight between the two devices.
• ID Verification — powered by Didit. A verified badge on your profile helps you stand out and builds trust with landlords and flatmates.
• Property Hub — once you’ve moved in, the work doesn’t stop. Track chores, split bills, manage rent, share a house calendar, and keep a clear record of your rental agreement. Built for the people who actually live together.
• Refreshed interface — faster, cleaner, and built on modern web standards from the ground up.
• Instant messaging and formal offers for Verified Accounts, so good matches don’t get lost in moderation queues.

Free while we build. Paid plans are on the way, but every feature is free to use right now while we roll it all out — and core flatmate-finding will always have a free tier.

See how it works → See pricing →

Since 1998

In 1998, John Stericker literally stumbled across flatmate.com. When a close friend put a shout-out looking for a room, John typed flatmate.com into Netscape Navigator (it was 1998, after all) in the hope that he could help his friend out. Seeing the domain name hadn’t been registered, he bought it on the spot.

Twenty-seven years later, we’re still going. We don’t pretend to know exact numbers — flatmate.com has never been big on analytics — but through emails, social-media messages, and the kind feedback we get from users over the years, we know we’ve quietly helped a good many people find each other along the way.

What flatmate.com is

• An online service that connects like-minded people for share and long-term rental accommodation
• A dedicated platform aimed at helping you find a suitable flatmate — or suitable accommodation if you’re looking for somewhere to live
• In continuous operation as a global online service since November 1998
• Covering Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland — with hundreds of cities listed
• Free to post an ad and make contact with other members. Always will be, on the free tier.
• Independent and bootstrapped — no venture capital, no private-equity owners, no advertising-driven incentives to keep you on site longer than you need to be

The team behind it

flatmate.com is operated by SuburbChooser.com Pty Ltd — a two-person shop with no physical office. We work remotely from opposite ends of New South Wales and keep things deliberately small so we can stay focused on what matters.

Lifestyle & social

We run an informative blog at flatmate.tv — sharing practical advice on share-house living, landlord and tenant rights, and the odd bit of flatmate trivia.

• Facebook facebook.com/flatmatecom
• Instagram instagram.com/flatmatetv
• X (Twitter) twitter.com/flatmateTV

Thanks for dropping by

If you’ve got feedback, a question, or just want to say hello — we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch →

From the archives

flatmate.com in Revolver Magazine

A clipping from Sydney street press, November 2000 — flatmate.com featured in Revolver Magazine a couple of years after launch.

Read the original blog post →