Living with a Roommate
Set rules.
This is perhaps the most important thing you can do. Early on in your lease, even before you move in together, create a set of rules that both you and your roommate agree upon. Put it in writing if you must. Together, talk and decide things like:
- What are the parameters for visitors? Sure, you know your roommate was voted the most popular girl in high school, but having her friends over, laughing, watching the TV, eating your food each and every day of the week will get a bit tiring. What might be worse is if your social circle clashes with her circle. Talk together and determine which nights will be hers and which will be yours and what days of the week will be “quiet” time. How many friends are allowed over at one time? How do the both of you feel about overnight guests and how often and how long should family and friends stay?
- What things, if any, are you allowed to borrow from each other? Sometimes the most frightening question you’ll get from your roommate is, “Hey, that’s an awesome sweater and it would go great with this dress I just bought, would you mind if I BORROWED it for a party next weekend?” Unless you’re okay with having your things disappear and never knowing where they go, I would highly recommend instituting a “no borrowing” policy. This works for clothing, music and most of all, money. Unless, please see our first important point, you COMMUNICATE and agree in advance how long the item will be borrowed for and for what purpose and when you can expect to see it back. Also, if the item is broken, stained, stolen or otherwise destroyed, discuss what the reparation will be.
- In a similar vein, determine which items in the apartment are to be shared (microwave, toaster, fridge) and which items are for the owner’s use only. You may have a set of crystal that was passed down for 4 generations in your family, if you don’t make it clear to your roommate that this is a “no touch” item, you may find it being casually used by your roommate.
- Who will do which chores on which day of the week? If you lived alone, you’d have to do everything by yourself. The good part of living with someone is that you’ll be able to share the cleaning tasks, the bad thing is that if you don’t hold up your part of the bargain, or your roommate doesn’t hold up his or hers, you’re cruising for a bruising. Agree in advance what things need to get done, how often they’re going to be done, and who is going to do them.
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