Learn how to get along with your college roommate. College housing coordinator suggests roommates sit down and agree on living norms, paying bills, etc.


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From my experience, it is really important that before anyone moves in with a potential roommate, they go and meet outside of the environments. Sometimes, living with a college roommate means wondering how ever you will make it through the year! Maybe have discussions surrounding some of their worst roommate situations that they have experienced. Hi, welcome to watchmojo.com. I am your host, Leila, today, I talked to Student Housing Expert, Jonathan Austin! You need to be aware of the laws of the area you are living in and see what types of contracts are covered. Develop a list of implicit so those are unwritten norms and then, make them explicit! We find that is a really good way so that roommates have had this moment where they have recognized what is important in their relationship. There are various different things they need to talk about ranging from like eating habits, studying habits—the list goes on! What do you suggest some of these include? I recommend people talk about paying the rent! Will the rent be paid directly to the landlord, what happens if one roommate cannot pay, will the other help them out, whose name is on the bills, which types of services will be shared, internet and so on, visitors need to be spoken about. Can visitors—can your parents come to stay for the weekend, friends, how often for example a boyfriend or girlfriend will stay in the apartment. What if things get serious, what if they move in, can they move in—it is important that roommates discuss like noise levels, what is acceptable, drinking, whether drugs are permitted in the dwelling, food if it is shared, security so who has access to keys, who locks the doors as well, it needs to be discussed like moving out and if things do not work out, how will both roommates proceed. Cleaning, who is responsible and how often will it be done and if it is not done, how will the other roommate notify the other, pets are they allowed based on the lease. If they are allowed, do roommates want to have pets in the dwelling, whether roommates have allergies that relates to health, whether smoking is permitted based on the lease and if it is, if it should be a smoking or a non-smoking environment. Will roommates share items at times, which types are okay, will they replace items if they use them? It is unethical to make a profit on roommates in our opinion, so we recommend that all of the bills be openly displayed so everyone knows what is expected. Why do you think that mediation is a good idea sometimes? Your conflict might be so intense that neither party is able or willing to see the other side. It is important to address conflict because having roommates can be so fulfilling. A roommate can provide a lot of support, encouragement and if you have an amazing relationship, they could become like a second family!