Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Living with someone comes with its perks and challenges. Even the best of friends can be bad roommates. Plus, if you are moving in with someone you don’t know, there’s a lot to learn. So:
How To Be A Good Roommate?
- Keep Common Areas Clean
- Decide If You are Sharing Anything
- Communicate
- Be Flexible and Compromise
- Discuss Financial Responsibility
- Wear Headphones
- Respect Personal Property and Space
- Keep Your Promises
- Ask About Likes and Dislikes
- Exchange Contact Information
- Get to Know Daily Routines
- Decide On a Thermostat Temperature
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Keep Common Areas Clean
Clean common areas regularly. Simple negligence—like leaving dirty dishes or piling dirt in one corner—may attract insects and pests, which may be a physical nuisance and a significant health concern.
Agree on how and when to clean shared areas. Consider creating a chore chart detailing areas to clean, the person responsible, and the frequency. These areas include:
- Bathroom and toilet
- Kitchen
- Carpet and vacuum cleaning
- Utensils
- Kitchen electronics like fridge, microwave, etc.
- Trash emptying
Decide If You are Sharing Anything
Decide things you’ll share and what is strictly yours. Is any food shareable? What about kitchenware? Some items, such as hygiene products and bedding, are not shareable. Agree on things you can share and how to maintain it after use, such as cleaning. Be sure to establish boundaries and stick to them.
Communicate
Communication is key and the backbone of all human relationships. Don’t let small things turn into big fights by bottling up your frustrations.
Instead, address issues as they arise and find a mutually beneficial solution. It’s important to respect and consider each other’s preferences and boundaries to maintain a positive living environment.
Be Flexible and Compromise
Sometimes, you and your roommate will have different opinions. Living with someone means you’ll have to adapt to their habits and preferences, and vice versa.
You may not always get your way, but finding a middle ground that works for both of you is important. So, keep an open mind and be ready to compromise. Additionally, it’ll help if you’re open to communication and willing to make changes to create a harmonious living environment.
Discuss Financial Responsibility
Agree on which bills to share and how much each will contribute. It’s crucial that you establish clear guidelines for splitting rent payments and bills, such as rent, electricity, gas, water, internet, and groceries, to avoid confusion or conflict.
Additionally, communicate openly about any unexpected expenses and create a budget together. For example, your favorite dishes may impact your groceries expenses, which you need to plan for.
Wear Headphones
Whether listening to music or watching a movie, wear headphones to show consideration for your roommate’s need for peace and quiet. Using headphones will ensure that you don’t disturb your roommate’s peace while minimizing any disruptive sounds coming from outside the room.
Spend Time Together
You most likely don’t know the person you’re moving in with as your roommate. While it can be challenging, it is also an opportunity to make friends with your roommate.
Spending time together can help build trust and create a comfortable living environment. Whether cooking a meal, watching a movie, or just chatting, taking the time to make memories with your roommate, connect, and get to know each other better.
In fact, one interesting way to bond could be to explore different food options together. For instance, ordering from a low calorie food delivery service and unpacking the meals from custom boxes. This not only allows you to enjoy a meal together, but also helps in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Discussing your food preferences can be a fun activity and a good way to learn about each other’s tastes and dietary habits.
Living together doesn’t have to be just about sharing a space but also building friendships. Here are tips on how to break the ice with your new roommates.
Respect Personal Property and Space
Everyone’s personal property and space should be respected. Avoid borrowing or using your roommate’s belongings without permission, and keep shared spaces clean and organized.
Additionally, be mindful of your roommate’s privacy and avoid snooping or going through their items without their consent. Remember to keep shared spaces clean and organized to avoid clutter and communicate with your roommate about any issues or concerns regarding personal property or space.
Keep Your Promises
Whether it’s about sharing responsibilities, paying bills on time, or respecting each other’s space, follow through on your commitments. If you promise to do something, make sure you fulfill it. Avoid making promises you cannot keep, and communicate openly if you cannot meet a commitment.
Ask About Likes and Dislikes
Candidly have an open conversation on what you like and dislike. Take the initiative to ask what foods they enjoy, what their hobbies are, and what their pet peeves might be. This will help you know where to strike a balance, avoid potential conflicts, and create a more positive living space.
Exchange Contact Information
An emergency may arise, and you never know when you (or they) will need someone to help. In such instances, your roommate is the closest to reach.
Exchange phone numbers and email addresses, and consider setting up a shared calendar to keep track of important dates and events. This will allow you to communicate easily about important issues such as rent, bills, and repairs.
Also, disclose matters like your health issues to your roommate and where to find your medical cards. Share your contact person’s details, like phone numbers and addresses, so they can reach them quickly in case of an emergency.
Get to Know Daily Routines
Get to know your roommate’s daily schedule to avoid conflicts. Knowing when they wake up, go to bed, have classes or work, or prefer to study or relax can help you plan your activities accordingly.
Discuss Rules Around Guests
Before inviting someone over, ask your roommates if it’s okay, and respect their schedules and privacy. Consider setting regulations to govern how to handle visitors.
Talk to your roommate and discuss how often guests are allowed, how long they can stay, and if they need to notify everyone in advance. Also, set boundaries for common areas and establish whether or not overnight guests are allowed. Have communication around these rules to prevent misunderstandings.
Decide On a Thermostat Temperature
When sharing a room, you need to agree on thermostat temperatures. Discuss temperature preferences and devise a compromise that works for everyone to avoid arguments or discomfort. It’s also important to be mindful of energy usage—adjust the temperature when necessary or find alternative cooling methods during summer to conserve energy and reduce utility bills.
Find the Perfect Place to Live With Roommates
Now that you know how to be a good roommate, it’s time to find a perfect place to call home. Have a city in mind? June Homes can help you find an apartment in your preferred city and neighborhood.
