Living with a roommate can help you meet new people, save money and prepare you for living on your own. Make your roommate experience as successful as possible by learning how to share an apartment.
Whether you’re moving in with your best friend or someone you just met, this roommate advice can help you make living with each other a positive experience for a comfortable, happy home.
The roommate you choose will have a big impact on your experience. Whether you send out a compatibility assessment or meet over coffee for a casual interview, ensure you have an open discussion about lifestyle, habits and any preferences during the selection process. This early honesty can help you find a roommate with the same vision for life in your home.
Share your expectations for the apartment — do you expect quiet during the day? Or regular noise such as young children or parties? Establishing a set of ground rules is critical for a positive experience. It’s also a good idea to talk about any guests that may come into the apartment — and for how long they will typically stay.
Encourage everyone in your apartment to respect these expectations by creating a roommate agreement to review and sign together. Common topics include any restrictions on guests and what each person’s household responsibilities and financial obligations are.
Does an open bedroom door mean your roommate is welcome to come in for a talk, or do you have other expectations for privacy? Personal boundaries for roommates encompass everything from whether you need the apartment to be quiet during certain hours to deciding which items are personal and which you both can use.
Talk to your roommate about which items you are okay with sharing and which belongings you do not want to share. Make a list together and post it in a highly visible place, like the fridge. The list should include considerations like food, toiletries and any personal belongings in common areas. If you have any food allergies, take this opportunity to let your roommate know to avoid cross-contamination.
It’s also important to establish boundaries surrounding privacy and time for yourself. Talk about your daily schedules, including what time you typically go to your room for the evening. Be respectful of each other’s personal space. Consider how you use shared areas, and keep noise levels under control for your roommate and your neighbors.
It’s important to discuss your expectations for chores. Create a list or chart detailing who is responsible for which chore and when it should be completed. Some tasks need attention every week, while others are more suitable for spring cleaning and refreshing your space before the holidays. Make sure to specify what each chore involves so there is no miscommunication, and respect your roommate by completing your tasks on time.
Sharing a small apartment space with a roommate can be tricky. Use the following organization techniques to make the most out of your space:
If you share a bedroom or bathroom with your roommate, determine who gets what area of the room. Divide up any drawer and closet space evenly. Other shared spaces, like your kitchen and living room, are often more flexible but require similar organization and space-saving strategies to keep the area free of clutter.
Living with roommates means you will incur several shared expenses, such as rent and utilities. Depending on your agreement, you may also split other bills or spending. Adopt a transparent financial management strategy for any costs that affect you both. Consider using an app or spreadsheet to track your budget and payments to ensure everyone contributes fairly.
If conflicts arise, such as a roommate making late payments or having drastically different spending habits, it’s best to address your concerns openly.
When sharing an apartment space, problems and misunderstandings will arise from time to time. Becoming resentful or angry will only worsen the situation. Talk to your roommate about the issue maturely, respectfully and as soon as possible. Be willing to compromise and work on roommate communication to make your home enjoyable for both of you.
Whether you and your roommate are close friends or new acquaintances with compatible lifestyles, a friendly and supportive roommate relationship helps make your apartment feel like home. If conflict arises, you’ll have a foundation of mutual respect, empathy and compromise where you can find common ground.
To strengthen your connection, consider shared activities, such as a weekly meal together or outings that appeal to both of your interests. Early in your lease, you could even take on DIY projects to personalize your apartment together.
Living with a roommate can be an amazing experience when you set intentional plans, take care of your shared spaces and prioritize communication and respect between everyone in your apartment.
Triple Crown Corporation has been providing excellence in real estate services for over 40 years. We have beautiful and spacious apartments for rent in communities you will love. If you are looking for an apartment in Middletown, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland, Camp Hill or Harrisburg, explore our rental communities page to see the wide variety of options available.
