Facts on Roommates
Sharing a house with friends or even strangers is not a new trend. From college dorms to intentional communities (what used to be known as "communes"), the practice of sharing households is an easy way for a small group of people to afford a relatively nice home on a shoestring budget.
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Features
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By definition, a roommate is someone whose main purpose is to share the financial obligation associated with renting a home; it may be a stranger, a friend or a mere acquaintance, but not a relative. Living with a relative is not considered having a roommate.
Types
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There are different types of roommates. A roommate can rent a room in the household and use a separate entrance, or a roommate may actually share a bedroom with a same-sex roommate, and also share the rest of the home's amenities on a 50/50 basis. In rare occasions, a larger number of roommates may not only share the rooms of a home, but also the responsibility of the home's extended upkeep, such as the renovation of the property or maintenance of the grounds in exchange for a really cheap rent payment.
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Significance
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Having a roommate is considered in many ways a rite of passage. It is usually the first time a young person moves away from the parental home; it is a stepping stone to complete adult independence.
Warning
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Living with one or more roommates is not always a pleasant experience. If you find yourself living with someone whose personality is opposite yours, or you find the social circles within which your roommates move to be somewhat problematic--which is usually the case if drugs and alcohol are involved--you may be in for a rough time. Another problem very common to roommate situations is money, where one roommate cannot hold up her end of the bargain and then burdens the other roommates with the additional expenses.
Prevention/Solution
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It is a good idea to contact roommate services that pre-screen potential roommates before listing them. This ensures that you find someone for your home that is able to pay the bills and do so on time (see Resources below).
Famous Ties
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Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer, famous Washington political movers and shakers, are roommates when they are away from home during Congressional sessions.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Infrogmation/Wikimedia Commons
