How to Get Along With a Male Roommate

You can't afford to live alone and don't want to move back home. The thought of living with a roommate makes you uncomfortable. Here are some ways to make it easier.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Communicate openly with your roommate. Agree to talk about issues before they get out of control.

2. Accept that everyone gets in a bad mood now and then. Give him plenty of space.

3. Decide early how the rent and utilities will be split and what to do if one person can't make the month's payments.

4. Establish rules about food, company, chores, noise, tobacco and alcohol use, and parking. Make sure each person's expectations and responsibilities are clear.

5. Respect your roommate's right to privacy and his possessions.

6. Always ask before you borrow anything.

7. Knock before entering his room.

8. Don't tie up the only phone line ' consider getting separate ones for each of you.

9. Begin your statements with "I," as in "I get really annoyed when you leave your shoes on the couch" instead of "You're a complete slob!" Focus on his behavior, not him personally.

10. Recognize that some people are neater, louder, more private, or more possessive than others. Don't expect your roommate to mirror you.

11. Treat him the way you expect to be treated.

12. Ask for what you want. Subtle hints are likely to be missed.

Tips & Warnings

• Resolve that toilet seat issue early on.
• Go out of your way once in a while to do something nice for your roommate.

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[sivalik]

on 1/11/2009 Indians looking for roommates/flatmates:
http://www.IndiaFlatmate.com/

is the best!

on 11/22/2005 1. Divide the bills equally. Make sure each person has a utility bill in their name. If they are all in your name, you will be financially responsible if they do not pay. Example: We had a water bill and an electricity bill. We each took one and paid the other person the difference between the bills ($50 water + cable bill in my name, $55 electricity in her name = I pay her $5).
2. Clean up after yourself (you don't have to be perfect, but don't be a total slob).
3. Don't eat their stuff without permission (replace it if you do).
4. Both names on the lease and each should pay their share of the deposit.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure the lease and all of the utilities are in your name. This will establish who is in charge. As far as utilities are concerned, work out a monthly payment so you're not stuck with a high utility bill left unpaid when someone splits. Get someone smaller than you, and preferably an immigrant (exchange students from an authoritarian country will give you a lot less trouble than left leaning hypocrites who will use the first chance they get to scream at you about their rights).