In big cities, the cost of living can seem outrageous. It has become quite common to ease stress by sharing an apartment with a roommate or multiple roommates. It’s normal to be apprehensive when first learning how to share a space with more than one person, but many people find it to be more fun than living alone. Educate yourself with the advice below to guide your process of renting with roommates.
Like-minded People
It’s all about finding the right people who share your mindset. You don’t want to choose a roommate just because “they have a lot of money” or “we’ve been friends forever.” While a rich roommate may be able to pay rent on time and a long-time friend may make you feel comfortable at first, if you don’t share the same ideals, you’re going to have a bad time. Find someone trustworthy and dependable. All of your belongings are going to be in the same space as this person, or these people, so you want someone that you can feel comfortable leaving your belongings behind with. Likewise, you need someone you can depend on in the event you’re low on cash or lose your job, but you have to remember, it’s a two-way street. Sometimes you may have to pull a little more weight, but sometimes they may have to as well. It’s a give and take, but ideally, you’ll both be pulling the same weight by sharing the yoke. If you can room with someone you already know, excellent, but that’s not always an option. If you plan on rooming with someone you’ve never met, you will have some homework to do. Look them up on whatever social networks you use to get an idea of who they are, what they do for work, and what they do for fun. Maybe even reach out, exchange phone numbers, and spend some time speaking with them over the phone. You could even try to meet up for a casual cup of coffee. Keep in mind, money and life choices aren’t the only variables, conflicting schedules and how long each of you wants to live somewhere are vital to discuss, too. No one wants to live with a stranger or a hermit, reach out to your prospective roommate if you haven’t already!
Sign the Line
After you found the right person or people, make it legal and make sure everyone signs the lease. It may seem like common sense, but there’s nothing common about common sense these days. If a roommate decides to break the lease, this will spare you and the remaining roommates a huge headache. Everyone in the living arrangement will have to be responsible for a specific bill and collecting the correct amount of money from each roommate, especially if it’s a fluctuating expense. One person may prefer to be in charge of utilities while another might want the internet account and water bill, and the next roommate the gas and electric bill. It really doesn’t matter how the expenses get divided, as long as everyone in the living situation are in agreement and understands what they need to pay and when.
Miscommunication Kills
It is imperative for each individual’s mental health and respect to keep your communication open and transparent. Some of the greatest conflicts can be prevented when everyone understands each other. It’s easier to discuss difficult topics when everyone feels comfortable speaking with each other. Whether you need to have a conversation about money or a friend spending the night, keep yourself available and open to your roommates to keep the living situation a fun one!
Establish Rules Early to Stop Bad Times Before They Start
The easiest way to stop a bad situation is by not putting yourself and others in it in the first place. Establish rules for the apartment when you first move in to prevent tension and conflict in the future. Start the lease with a mutual understanding of respect amongst you and your roommates. Key topics to talk about when setting ground rules are cleaning, guests, quiet hours, and timely bill payment.
