{"id":5292,"date":"2020-04-04T07:46:03","date_gmt":"2020-04-04T14:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/25-essential-roommate-rules\/"},"modified":"2024-01-29T17:46:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T00:46:43","slug":"25-essential-roommate-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/25-essential-roommate-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Essential Roommate Rules You Should Have Before Moving in Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Moving in with a new roommate is both exciting and anxiety-inducing (especially if you're also moving to a new city<\/a>). Even if the person is a friend and someone you have known for years, living with them changes the relationship. It is important to establish roommate rules before moving in with someone new. <\/p>\n

Here are 25 essential roommate rules you should have before moving in together:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Take Care of the Bills<\/li>\n
  2. Don’t Use Each Other’s Things Without Asking<\/li>\n
  3. Be Considerate about Movies, Music, and TV<\/li>\n
  4. Realize You Do Not Have to Be Best Friends<\/li>\n
  5. Do Not Let Minor Problems Become Major Resentments<\/li>\n
  6. Always Communicate<\/li>\n
  7. Create and Follow a Cleaning Schedule<\/li>\n
  8. Respect Your Roommate’s Space<\/li>\n
  9. Remember that Pets Are the Owner’s Responsibility<\/li>\n
  10. Clean Up Your Own Mess<\/li>\n
  11. Split the Household Chores<\/li>\n
  12. Do Not Eat Your Roommate's Food<\/li>\n
  13. Create a Small House or Apartment Fund<\/li>\n
  14. Respect Shared Spaces<\/li>\n
  15. Do Not Hog the Bathroom<\/li>\n
  16. Do Not Gossip<\/li>\n
  17. Do Not Be Overly Sensitive<\/li>\n
  18. Give Your Roommate Space<\/li>\n
  19. Try Occasionally Cooking and Sharing Large Meals<\/li>\n
  20. Do the Dishes<\/li>\n
  21. Refill the Toilet Paper<\/li>\n
  22. Give and Get<\/li>\n
  23. Take Turns with the Trash and Recycling<\/li>\n
  24. Do Not Expect Your Roommate to Hang Out (or Disappear) When You Have Guests<\/li>\n
  25. Practice the Golden Rule<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    <\/source><\/source>\"Roommate<\/picture><\/figure>\n

    1. Take Care of the Bills<\/span><\/h2>\n

    You and your roommate must always pay your bills on time. Before moving in together, you should have an honest discussion with your roommate. Make sure you are both on the same page to get ahead of any future problems. <\/p>\n

    These days, many apartments and condos offer options to pay online, so taking care of your bills has never been easier. You can also set an automated notification that is sent to both you and your roommate every month as a reminder.<\/p>\n

    2. Do Not Use Each Other’s Things Without Asking<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Not using each other’s things without asking is one of the more obvious roommate rules. While some people are more casual about sharing, others are not. You have to learn what kind of person your roommate is and then act accordingly.<\/p>\n

    Most people have at least some things they do not like others messing with. For example, maybe your roommate is very generous about sharing food but hates it when you touch his or her laptop. If this is the case, simply respect that! And have the self-awareness to realize that you probably have some things you are protective of as well.<\/p>\n

    When it comes to sharing, especially in the beginning, less is more.<\/p>\n

    3. Be Considerate about Movies, Music, and TV<\/span><\/h2>\n

    If the main or only TV set is in a common area, you should be considerate. What that means is not blasting the TV or music when your roommate is trying to sleep or work. Also, you should not camp out on the couch and constantly control what is being watched. Switch off who has control over the remote or, better yet, find a show that you can both enjoy watching together.<\/p>\n

    When it comes to playing music, you should use earphones whenever possible. There are obvious exceptions to this rule (like, for example, when you and your roommate are both going out), but regularly blasting music will, eventually, get on your roommate’s nerves.<\/p>\n

    4. Realize You Do Not Have to Be Best Friends<\/span><\/h2>\n

    While it is nice to be friends with your roommate, one of the most important roommate rules to remember that the two of you do not need to be best friends. You can do things separately and you do not have to constantly check in with each other. Friendly relations are a good thing, but co-dependency is not.<\/p>\n

    5. Do Not Let Minor Problems Become Major Resentments<\/span><\/h2>\n

    If your roommate does something that bothers you, speak up. You do not have to let it become a fight or talk to them in a mean or aggressive way. But, you should let your roommate know how you feel.<\/p>\n

    In general, whenever you are confronted with a roommate issue, ask yourself whether you are being too sensitive. If the answer is “No,” then you should speak up. Just make sure you do so politely and quickly. Otherwise, resentments and bad behaviors will accumulate.<\/p>\n

    <\/source><\/source>\"Roommate<\/picture><\/figure>\n

    6. Always Communicate<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Communication is key. The roommate relationship is like any relationship—you must not assume your roommate can read your mind. If you need them to know something, tell them!<\/p>\n

    \n \r\n
    \r\n
    \r\n

    How Neighbor is changing storage<\/h2>\r\n <\/header>\r\n
    \r\n
    \r\n
    \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

    Transparent monthly savings<\/h3>\r\n

    Renters save 30-50% on self storage, on average. No rate hikes.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

    \r\n
    \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

    Keep your items nearby<\/h3>\r\n

    Hosts in your neighborhood means that your things are always close by.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

    \r\n
    \r\n \r\n <\/path>\r\n <\/svg>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

    Storage made simple<\/h3>\r\n

    Don't settle for stone age tech and long contracts. Neighbor makes it easy.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/section>\r\n