5 basic tips to help you get along with a roommate

With house rent rates spiraling up each year, the most basic way to save money on accommodation is to share it with a roommate. Finding a roommate in the US is easy with sites like Sulekha but putting up with a roommate on the longer run can be tricky. To ensure that you maintain a good relationship with your flat share mate, you need to follow these simple tips.

Compromise

Generally, students and bachelors are the ones sharing rooms and the biggest problems that arise is either party not compromising on issues that they face on a regular basis. Who takes out the garbage? Who does the grocery run? Who picks up the mail? These might sound petty but in reality, these are the ones that you need to compromise to ensure a smooth relationship.

Use the calendar – make plans

Be it day to day chores or something important – plan everything in advance including paying the rent and bills and put it up on the calendar for everyone to see. With the technology available today you can even have a virtual shared sheet on the cloud that ensures you have access to it anywhere anytime.

Set ground rules

Just like how your landlord sets up a lease/rental agreement you should ideally discuss the rules of your roommate agreement beforehand rather than introducing new rules in the middle of a problem. Are you comfortable having friends over? Which of your stuff can they use or not use? How much personal space do you require? Your agreement need not be a written one but can be orally agreed upon. Scout’s honor!

Be considerate

You might have an agreement but if it is exam time or if you roommate is sick then you have to be considerate to ensure that they return the favor when you are in a similar situation. You need not be best friends with your roommate but being a good human will take you a long way down the line.

Sort issues immediately

Never let problems pile up! Solve everything immediately to make sure there are no hard feelings carried over. Piling up on negative thoughts only lead to bigger problems bursting out on a later stage leading to irreparable situations. Confront your roomie about a habit that bothers you, hold interventions, if required.

If all else fails, fret not! Go ahead and post your requirement for a new roommate and find another person to share your joys and worries with.