Living with roommates can be fun, but it can also be hard to navigate. Personal preferences, conflicting schedules, unwillingness to pitch in, and bad attitudes can all throw a wrench in an otherwise pleasant living situation. It all starts with you. If you commit to being a good roommate, your roommates will most likely follow suit and you can justify asking them to behave.To help you be a good roommate, the team at BentallGreenOak Residential Services has curated this list of things to do and things not to do.
Don't Leave Notes
Whether one of your roommates leaves nail clippings in the sink, or the tap dripping, or the stove elements on, or wet towels on the floor, leaving a note is not a great way to react. Annoying and dangerous as these habits may be, they're always best dealt with head-on. Have a conversation with them. Hard as it is, everyone involved will be better for it.
Clean
The number one reason for roommate dissatisfaction is messy roommates. Whether you tend to leave common space messy, or don't do your part on cleaning days, your roommates are likely pretty peeved about it. It's always best to immediately establish a communal cleaning schedule when living with other people. That way it's on record for all to see and can be dealt with when someone isn't pulling their weight.
Share the Space
There's nothing worse than a roommate who hogs something communal. Whether it's the TV, the coffee, the shower, or the balcony, space in a shared situation needs to be democratically allocated. While everyone wants to have their own nook, life will be much more livable when communal spaces are open to all.
Establish Ground Rules and Expectations, Early
They say strong fences make for good neighbours. It's both fair and respectful to discuss household rules and expectations early on -- especially with new roommates. It can be hard to communicate minute details and personal preferences, but when they're out in the open, they'll be easier to deal with.
Wash Your Stuff
While personal hygiene varies from person to person, there's a minimum requirement, especially when it comes to communal living. You don't need to shower thrice a day, but unwashed clothes (and bodies) make a big impact on shared spaces. Do your part.
Watch the Noise
Noise pollution may be number two after cleanliness on the list of top roommate grievances. Stereos blaring at all hours, loud alarm clocks, rumbling or squeaking speaking voices, loud phone conversations, inconsiderate parties, obnoxious friends, theatre-volume TV-watching -- the list goes on and on. Be aware of the noise you create and watch the volume.
Don't Eat Other People's Stuff
Reason number three for roommate rage is covertly eaten food -- other people's covertly eaten food. Sharing is great but if you don't have an open invitation to munch on your roommate's supply of food, don't do it.
The BentallGreenOak Residential Services blog team hopes these points on how to be a good roommate help you get along with your roommates, old and new. For more information about BentallGreenOak properties in your city, please visit our website.