A flatmate is a person who lives with one or more other people in a rented house, apartment, or flat. They share living expenses such as rent and utilities, and may also share household chores and responsibilities. Flatmates are typically friends, roommates, or strangers who have found each other through advertisements or word of mouth. The term "flatmate" is commonly used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, while the terms "roommate" or "housemate" may be more commonly used in North America.