The pro and cons of Roommates
Read the summary at the right of the positive and negative sides of having a roommate.
Getting Things Settled Beforehand
Before you move in, sit down with your roommates and create an agreement on major issues. Print a set of rules and give each person a copy.
Rent. What is everyone’s share? Who will be responsible for paying the rent at the end of each month?
Space. If there are three roommates, and three shelves in the bathroom and in the fridge, each person’s things should be kept in one of the shelves.
Shared Things. Roommates may share the cost and use of things such as electricity and utilities, but not personal hygiene items and food. However, sometimes it’s practical to share things, that everyone uses such as salt, milk, cooking oil, soap etc.
Household Chores. Who is responsible for cleaning, and on what schedule?
Noise. Time for noise and time for quiet can be hard to impose and depends mostly on common sense and consideration
Guests. It it OK to have friends to stay overnight? Is it OK to have friends visit? How often? For how long?
It’s best to put your agreements in writing. Oral agreements are too easily forgotten or misinterpreted.