what are the responsibilities of a roommate

Your roommate agreement should cover:

• rent, deposits, and services, such as utilities and Internet (who pays for what and when)
• chores (who takes care of grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and recycling), how food will be bought or shared, and use of the living space (what and how you will share)
• house rules regarding pets, smoking, drinking, drug use, noise, and guests

Full Answer

What are the responsibilities of a roommate in an apartment?

Roommate Responsibilities The responsibility to afford the rights above to your roommate(s). The responsibility to seek the above rights for yourself. The responsibility to appropriately communicate with roommate(s) when you feel as though your rights are possibly being infringed upon.

Do college roommate rules work?

However, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to make some of the rules work. Here’s a list of nine roommate rules that will actually work in your college household this semester: 1. Steer clear of “taking turns” with chores. Instead, assign one roommate to each part of the household that’s important to keep clean.

Do I need a roommate agreement?

Having a written roommate agreement set in place will help guide the rules and expectations for everyone in the household. Even if your roommate is your best friend and an agreement seems silly, remember that an agreement can provide: An environment where everyone agrees about household duties, house rules and financial responsibilities

Why is it important to have good roommate etiquette?

Part of it is etiquette, but mostly it's to make sure conflicts are handled appropriately and there are rules and expectations established before you live together. A study by Boise State University revealed the most common problems between roommates.

What should a roommate do?

Take Care of the Bills. ... Do Not Use Each Other's Things Without Asking. ... Be Considerate about Movies, Music, and TV. ... Realize You Do Not Have to Be Best Friends. ... Do Not Let Minor Problems Become Major Resentments. ... Always Communicate. ... Create and Follow a Cleaning Schedule. ... Respect Your Roommate's Space.More items...•

What are 5 things you should consider when picking a roommate?

How To Pick A Good RoommateKnow What You Want Out of It. ... Make Sure that Temperaments Match. ... Schedules that Fit Your Needs. ... Make Sure They Can Pay their Share of the Rent. ... Similar Cleanliness Habits. ... Good Communication. ... Shared Interests.

What should go in a roommate agreement?

A written roommate agreement is a contract created and signed by you and your roommates (no need to get the landlord involved) before or when you move in together. It should establish house rules like quiet hours, division of household duties, a cleaning schedule, how you'll handle overnight guests, and more.

What are three important qualities of a good roommate?

qualities to look for in a roommateTrustworthy. Having a trustworthy roommate is crucial. ... Respectful. ... Cooperative. ... Friendly. ... Patient. ... Compatible. ... Communicative.

How can I be the perfect roommate?

How To RoommatePay your rent on time. ... Decide on ground rules. ... If you use it, replace it. ... Respect each other's privacy. ... Respect their stuff. ... Address things when they're little. ... Invest in a bathrobe to avoid awkward moments. ... Keep it secure.More items...

What characteristics you look for in a roommate?

Lifestyle. Sleeping habits, work schedules, food preferences, allergies, smoking and drug use, pets, entertainment and hobbies are all important parts of someone's lifestyle. You do not have to have the same lifestyle as your roommate, but make sure that you understand whether or not your lifestyles will be compatible.

What time should roommates be quiet?

Original Rule. If roommates have different work schedules, they can outline some hours of quiet times (within the hours of 10pm and 10am) that must be adhered to by all other members of the apartment.

What can I do about my roommate problems?

Setting BoundariesDiscuss the cleaning schedule. ... Develop a plan to handle visitors. ... Discuss your phone policy. ... Determine a lights out time. ... Sign a roommate agreement. ... Choose the right time. ... Talk in person. ... Focus directly on one problem.More items...

What is the difference between roommate and housemate?

In technical terms, a roommate is someone you share a bedroom with, while a housemate is someone you share a house or apartment with. However, in the United States, people often use the term roommate, or roomie, to refer to anyone you share a living space with, even if you're not sharing a bedroom.

Do you have to be friends with your roommate?

It's expected that you'll get along with your roommate but that doesn't mean you have to be friends. Rooming with friends can be great but come freshman year, you often don't know who your roommate is going to be. Even if you did choose your roommate, you might not get along as well as you thought.

How do you introduce yourself to a potential roommate?

A simple “Hi, my name is ____ and I'm looking forward to being your roommate” will suffice. Whether or not you want that simple introduction to evolve into a much longer conversation is up to you and the other person.

What makes you great to live?

Adaptable And Communicative Living with each other necessitates making adjustments and being flexible. That is why adaptability and good communication skills are essential traits that you should seek out in a roommate. It's not humanly possible for everything to go exactly as you might have pictured it.

How do I choose a roommate for an apartment?

5 Tips on How to Pick the Perfect RoommateLook Beyond Your Good Friends. ... Ask Potential Roommates Tough Questions. ... Find Out What Your Roomie Expects From You. ... Find the Right Apartment. ... Find Someone Who's Able to Contribute.

What questions should I ask a new roommate?

What do you want in a roommate?How often do you cook?How long do you plan to stay?What are challenges you've faced in past living situations?Do you have references? Ask for phone numbers and email addresses.Anything else I should know?

What kind of roommate do you want?

Honest. Honesty is a biggie; 99 percent of people want honest roommates. Honesty might encompass anything from coming clean about it if you accidentally damage something belonging to someone else to communicating clearly and respectfully about any issues you might be having with your roommate's behavior.

How do you move in with a roommate?

10 Tips for Moving with RoommatesCheck in with each other regularly. ... Give yourself extra time. ... Discuss bills early on. ... Create a list of moving tasks. ... Divvy up your belongings. ... Remember to eat. ... Determine whether you need a moving company. ... Agree on a moving budget.More items...•

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What to do when your chore chart is too difficult?

If a “chore chart” is too difficult to follow, ask your roommates which chores they are more comfortable with than others. Offer to take responsibility over washing the floors after having friends over, for instance, and another roommate may offer to take the garbage out or take care of the dishes.

How to deal with roommates?

Address them as soon as you notice them. Many roommates decide from the start of the semester how to share things like cooking and cleaning responsibilities. Especially if you are living with several roommates, you might even consider hanging a calendar of shared responsibilities in the kitchen or a common space in the dorm.

How to tell your roommate you are going to have friends over?

If you are planning to have friends over to the dorm, send a text a few hours earlier to let your roommate know. A respectable roommate will either appreciate the heads up or will ask you to change the plan if he or she needs the room to study that night, as an example. Be prepared for all responses when confronting your roommate with both large and small issues. The more you understand the person you are living with, the less surprised you will be when encountering opinions or reactions different from your own.

What do roommates have in common?

One thing most roommates have in common is the amount of time you will spend doing nothing together. Being “alone” with another person is not an easy task, but communicating early on will help you establish a comfortable silence with your roommate, creating a productive environment to come home to at the end of a long day of studies.

What to do if your roommate is not your best friend?

Even if you and your roommate are not best friends, you should still be able to happily live together and respect each other’s privacy and personal space. Respect each other’s privacy. Exchange emergency information with each other. Don’t let the small things build up.

What to expect from a roommate?

As roommates, you will likely be sharing a very small space for a long time, and both should know what to expect when it comes to things like having friends over, studying in the dorm room, cleanliness, and personal pet-peeves. Set ground rules early on. Respect each others’ sleep and study habits.

How to share things with roommates?

Many roommates decide from the start of the semester how to share things like cooking and cleaning responsibilities . Especially if you are living with several roommates, you might even consider hanging a calendar of shared responsibilities in the kitchen or a common space in the dorm. Clean up after yourself. Be responsible about guests.

Why do you need a roommate agreement?

Having a written roommate agreement set in place will help guide the rules and expectations for everyone in the household.

How to avoid passive aggressive temperature war?

To avoid getting into a passive-aggressive temperature changing war and paying a ton for the AC or heat, agree on a summer and winter temperature that you and your roommate are comfortable with . Blasting the heat or AC will also raise your utility bills, so figure out a compromise for the summer and winter months. 13.

Why turn to an agreed-upon list of rules and expectations?

Even in the most perfect relationships, people get into arguments. Instead of letting it fester until it blows out of proportion, why turn to an agreed-upon list of rules and expectations. It will keep everyone on the same page and accountable for their actions, or lack thereof (hello, dirty dishes!).

How many people have roommates?

Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have roommates. Even if you live with your best friend, conflicts are sure to come up from time to time. A roommate agreement can help outline responsibilities and rules to prevent any surprises.

What to do if you are allergic to cats?

If one of you is allergic to cats, write in the contract that no cats are allowed in the apartment.

What could cause one of you to move out early?

Life circumstances could cause one of you to move out early. Or maybe it wasn't a match. It happens. Just make sure you set the expectation for what to do if this happens, including:

Do you need a roommate agreement to live in a new apartment?

Living with roommates is a reality for 79 million Americans and sometimes a necessity if you live in an expensive city like Manhattan or San Francisco. Just like signing a lease agreement when you move into a new apartment, you need to draw up a roommate agreement before you decide to move in with someone. Part of it is etiquette, but mostly it's ...

How to deal with roommate issues?

In general, whenever you are confronted with a roommate issue, ask yourself whether you are being too sensitive. If the answer is “No,” then you should speak up. Just make sure you do so politely and quickly. Otherwise, resentments and bad behaviors will accumulate.

What to do if your roommate is cooking for you?

Give and Get. If your roommate is constantly cooking for you and doing other nice things, you should try and come up with a way to do something nice for them. Regardless of how nice your roommate is, you should not allow them to constantly give to you without trying to do something in return. 23.

What happens if you don't have a roommate?

If you do not have someone helping you clean your home, then you and your roommate are going to have to split some of the larger household chores. Mopping the floors, dusting, vacuuming, and other chores need to be done fairly regularly, and it is not fair if one roommate has to do them all.

What are the rules for roommates?

Here are 25 essential roommate rules you should have before moving in together: Take Care of the Bills. Don’t Use Each Other’s Things Without Asking. Be Considerate about Movies, Music, and TV. Realize You Do Not Have to Be Best Friends.

What is not keeping tabs on your roommate?

Not keeping tabs on your roommate is part of keeping your lives separate. No one wants to walk into a home where they are constantly getting quizzed. Before moving in with your new roommate, remember this roommate rule: Give your roommate space!

How to maintain a friendly relationship with a roommate?

Cooking for your roommate once and a while and sharing the occasional large meal is a great way to maintain a friendly relationship. You can reach most people’s hearts through their stomachs.

How many rules do you need to know about roommates?

Now that you know the 25 essential roommate rules, you and your roommate can start having fun and enjoying living together. Remember, do not be too strict and always think about how your actions impact the person you are living with.

How to keep roommates clean?

1. Steer clear of “taking turns” with chores. Instead, assign one roommate to each part of the household that’s important to keep clean. Sometimes roommates think it’s a better idea to have a rotating cleaning schedule instead of assigning someone to each chore.

How to make sure your roommates are locked?

Set a boundary and tell your roommates that you’ll all be expected to lock the door every single time you leave. That way, no one will ever come home to an empty house with an unlocked door and have to be scared for their life upon entry. Make sure everyone has at least one key, and if necessary, hide an extra one somewhere.

Why is it bad to come home to an empty house?

Nothing is worse than coming home to an unlocked, empty house because your roommates “didn’t check to see who was home.” It’s such a lazy excuse: “Oh, I didn’t know I was the last person to leave.”

How to be a roommate and friend?

Being a roommate and being a friend are two completely different things. Set your boundaries up front and set them firmly. If you’re not interested in building relationships with the people you’re living with, don’t do it. Don’t feel like you have to force a friendship with the people you’re living with.

What to do if you are sharing a refrigerator?

If you’re all sharing a refrigerator, assign shelves and drawers to each person. Otherwise, before you know it, you’re eating someone else’s food because you can’t remember if you bought that or not.

What is the hardest thing to do in college?

On top of everything else you’re trying to balance, managing the dynamics of college students and living together sucks sometimes.

What is the biggest adjustment between high school and college?

One of the biggest adjustments between high school and college is learning to live with someone in a dorm. There’s a pretty major learning curve for most students – as sharing a space that small is far from “normal” or “comfortable.”.