Comments on: How to Get Along With a Male Roommate

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).