The decision to get (or become) a roommate: Should you, or shouldn’t you?
Do you struggle to pay your household bills on your own? Would you like to have some extra cash for that dream vacation? Are you feeling lonely in a big two-bedroom apartment? All are good reasons to get a roommate. This is not a decision to take lightly though. You need to know how to deal with roommates.
How to choose a roommate
There are many factors to consider when choosing a roommate. Are you a neat freak or more relaxed when it comes to cleanliness? Are you a night owl or a morning person? These are questions to ask when interviewing potential roommates. Be sure to also do a thorough background check before moving forward with any prospect.
Problem prevention
The best thing you can do to prevent problems is to be proactive and create a roommate agreement form. You would both of you sign before moving in. You should both have realistic expectations of your living situation. You can create cleaning schedule and bill pay agreement and whatever else you can think of. If you talk about these things on the front end, your relationship will be much smoother.
How to deal with problems once they’ve begun
If you’re mad because your roommate left you a sink full of dishes for the eighth morning in a row, don’t stew over it. You need to confront the issue head-on. You don’t need to be rude or passive aggressive (ie. Taking all the dishes and leaving them on their bed). It’s time to talk rationally with your roommate. If need be, you can make amendments to your roommate agreement form it’s a good way to ensure expectations are understood.
Bonding experiences
A roommate provides you with excellent opportunities for bonding. It may not be like ‘Friends’ or ‘The Big Bang Theory’ but you can always have some fun. You can pour yourselves a glass of wine and enjoy a great movie. If you are both into crafting that’s another option. Do you like working out? You can both do a work out video or hit the fitness center together.
The decision to get rid of a roommate (or move out yourself)
Kicking out a roommate or moving out is not something to take lightly. Speak with your landlord first, especially if the terms of the lease changed when you added the roommate. Are you responsible for your roommate’s portion of the rent? Or does the landlord deal with the roommate separately? If you are moving out, would you be responsible for your portion of the rent until the lease expires? You need to get all the facts before moving out. If your safety is at risk the circumstances are different. Most states have laws protecting tenants who are victims of assault from a roommate or significant other.
How to give notice to a roommate
Get everything in writing. If the roommate is on the lease or bills, it’s best to ask them to leave around the time the lease expires. It will be easier on your sanity and your wallet if you’re not stuck with your roommate’s bill. If the roommate isn’t going willingly talk to your landlord about evicting the person. If they are on the lease, state eviction laws apply to them.
How to move on, together
Maybe you landed your dream job in another state, will start an internship far away, or are getting married. All good things come to an end. The most important thing is that you don’t leave the other person in a bind. Make sure your roommate has plenty of notice that you are moving. Tie up any loose ends financially with the landlord and your portion of the bills too. This gives your roommate the chance to find your replacement or to move out at the end of the lease term.
Living with a roommate can be a positive experience or a nightmare. Try to avoid the nightmare by doing background checks on prospective roommates and setting expectations early on. By doing so, you can keep things on a positive note and prevent issues from coming up.
