Finding a Roommate
Finding a roommate can be stressful. Oftentimes, you may room with someone who you do not even know. Other times, you might room with a friend but not room together particularly well. Below are some helpful things to think through as you search for a roommate.
Before you Move In
- Make a list of what you have and what you might need when moving into a place. This can be beneficial so two people are not buying the same thing unnecessarily!
- Decide who will purchase any new/necessary items that neither of you own.
- Make a list of habits you have and what you could/could not put up with. Examples include:
- Sleep habits - How late/early do you go to bed
- Cleanliness - Do you keep your room clean? How about dishes?
- Lifestyle - Are there lifestyle choices you might be uncomfortable living with?
- Introvert/Extrovert - How much are you wanting to invest in your roommates?
When Expectations are Not Met:
- Schedule a house meeting.
- List what you want to talk about prior to the meeting.
- Stay in the present as much as possible. Avoid talking about things that happened a month ago and have already been resolved.
- Talk to one another and work towards a compromise or agreement.
- Look at what you can all do differently next time.
- Don't yell or accuse.
- Communicate face-to-face or over the phone. Try not to text or leave notes.
- If you don't confront issues that are bothering you, the fault ultimately lies with you.
Post Move-In
- Make sure to divide up responsibilities. Having one person in charge or rent, one person in charge of utilities, and one in charge or reporting maintenance issues could be a good way to divide responsibility.
- Communicate everything back to your roommates. Make them aware of problems in the house or conversations had concerning rent/utilities/etc.
- Be sure to keep communicating with each other, as roommates, to keep your relationship a positive one!