How to Live Roommates
Ask Yourself
- How much are you willing to pay for your portion of costs?
- How do you feel about cleanliness, noise level, number of visitors, pets, etc?
- Do you have a backup plan if your roommate(s) unexpectedly move out?
Find Your Roommate
- Think of people you could live with comfortably. These may or may not be your best friends at NU. Why do you think you can live together?
- Need an NU roommate? Sign up at the to view roommate listings, or create your own!
Ask Your Potential Roommate
- How will we divide rent, deposit, and utilities? Will all roommates pay equal amounts?
- Whose name will be on the lease (or will all tenants’) and on utility bills?
- Who is responsible for sending payments?
- What will we share and what will be individual (groceries, cleaning supplies, etc)?
- How long do you plan to live here?
- What is your daily schedule like? When will you be around?
- What would it be like to live with each other? Sit down and talk about habits, preferences, moods, and values.
- Get to know each other. Take the time to ask and answer questions – about family, hobbies, academic interests, etc.
Ground Rules
- Deadlines for rent and utility payments
- Household chore schedule
- Noise level and protocol for visitors/guests/significant others
- Alarm rules, hitting the snooze button could be disturbing
- Locking the doors when leaving
- Preferred methods of communication (notes/text/email)
- How conflicts will be resolved
How to Make it Work
- Be open, friendly, and understanding.
- Compromise. You are both individuals with different perspectives.
- Never assume. Talk about each other’s expectations for privacy.
- Give each other space. Talk about each other’s needs for alone time.
- Always ask permission. Don’t just borrow the iron or eat the cookies, even if it seems O.K.
- Don’t repress feelings. Communicate with your roommate if he or she is doing something that is bothering you.
- Appreciate your roommate. Praise, respect, and courtesy are the foundations for any positive relationship.
- Check out the Roommate Checklist to read more about house sharing tips.
