Choosing a Roommate
Making the roommate relationship work for everyone requires a bit of work before you decide to move in together. Rooming with your best friend may work out very well, but many friendships can be broken as a result of sharing apartments. To avoid that, sit down with your soon to be roommate and discuss some basic facts of each of your lifestyles.
Things Roommates Should Discuss Before Moving In:
- Study Time: What time of day do you prefer to study?
- Sharing of Space/Items: How will you divide refrigerator space? Which items will you be willing to share?
- Household Chores/Apartment Conditions: Who is responsible for cleaning which areas? Remember, under PA law, roommates are jointly responsible for damage to the premises and conditions of apartments/houses.
- Rent: Will rent be paid with one check or separate? What if someone is late with the monthly payment?
- Utilities: How are utility accounts set up? Who is responsible for the payment of which utility? Smoking/Drinking: If you are a non-smoker, make sure you find out if your roommates smoke. If you and your roommates are over 21 years of age, address how you feel about drinking alcohol in the apartment.
- Quiet Time: What time do you go to bed? How many hours of sleep do you need?
- Mail: Where will mail be sorted and left for each roommate?
- Guests: How do you feel about overnight guests, boyfriends, girlfriends and long-term visits? How about parties? Who will clean up? At what point does a “guest” become an additional roommate? You cannot bring a friend to live with you if your other roommates do not approve of it. This may also be a violation of your lease.