There’s more to being a good roommate than paying your fair share of the bills. Sure, splitting rent on time keeps the landlord away. But it’s the everyday moments that define whether you’re a joy to live with, or a silent source of frustration.
Here are some tips to build a friendship with your roommate that lasts beyond your lease.
1. Pay Your Share on Time
Few things make living together more awkward than money. Bills need to be paid at the end of the month. You know this, your roommate knows this. When you are late, you leave your roommate stressing over something they should not.
Plus, they are probably dreading sending that “Hey, did you send it yet?” message. To avoid this, set a little reminder on your phone or an auto-transfer so it’s handled automatically.
And if it happens that you’ll be late, just give them a quick heads-up.
2. Respect Boundaries
Just because you share a roof doesn’t mean you share everything. Personal boundaries still exist, and you should respect them.
Most of the time, it’s simple etiquette like knocking when entering their room or asking before you help yourself to their food. Or maybe they’ve had a long day and need quiet time to themselves.
Such small courtesies send the message that you respect their personal space. And they, too, will most likely respect yours.
3. Keep Common Areas Clean
Your room is your space, and you can have snack wrappers all over or a laundry mountain on your bed. That’s fine.
But the bathroom, living room, and kitchen are shared spaces, and how you treat them affects your roommate. What you leave behind becomes everyone’s problem.
Pick up after yourself to make the place tidy. A little wipe here and a rinse there will make the place more homely, especially with guests around.
4. Communication is Key
Most roommate problems begin as small annoyances that pile up and then blow up one day. Maybe it’s your friends being too loud, or the dishes piling up. Whatever the issue is, silence normally makes it worse.
We tend to ignore talking things out because we’d rather not be confrontational. But communication doesn’t have to be awkward. ‘Hey, can we chat about something?’ is enough to get the conversation going.
Be upfront but also open to hearing their side. This way, you keep little things from turning into full-blown drama.
5. Share When it Makes Sense
It’s normal to want to protect your stash (the good coffee you brought back from home). You cherish it and you’d rather it not disappear at night. That’s fair.
But occasionally, your roommate will run out of their supply. In such moments, sharing is caring. Let them borrow some and replace it later.
Such little acts of generosity save money and also build goodwill. In the future, you may be the one to borrow a roll of paper towels.
6. Keep Your Volume in Check
We all have different definitions of what ‘loud’ is. You need your favorite playlist to help you stay focused when working from home. But your roommate hates it. The same goes for gaming sessions or late-night phone calls.
Have fun while being aware of when and how much noise you are making. If it’s early in the morning or past a certain hour, maybe turn the volume down a notch or switch to headphones.
7. Give a Heads-Up About Visitors
Everyone loves visitors, but not at 8 a.m. while you are in the kitchen wearing pajamas. It’s basic courtesy to give your roommate a heads-up before inviting people over.
And no, it’s not about asking for permission. You are simply telling them that certain visitors will arrive at a specific time and stay for a set period. This way, they can plan around it.
8. Handling Conflicts
Disagreements are inevitable when you share a space. You are bound to be occasionally at odds over noise at the wrong hour or dirty dishes left in the sink.
What matters is that you deal with it and do so maturely. Pick a time when neither of you is in a foul mood and talk about it calmly. Most of the time, talking over things will result in finding an amicable solution.
9. Know Your Roommate’s Schedule
It helps to know your roommate’s schedule. You don’t need to memorize their entire day, but simply have a general idea. You know what time they leave for work, what time they come back, and their exam periods.
You can then plan your schedule around this. During exam week, consider skipping karaoke in the living room. When they are tired and want to sleep, it may not be the best time to invite a crowd over.
Being aware of each other’s toes helps you both avoid stepping on each other’s toes.
10. Good Vibes
Having a positive attitude brings life to your shared home. You don’t need to be the life of the party, but it helps to be easy to get along with. Show up in a friendly mood whenever you can and occasionally crack a joke.
Even small things like a ‘Good morning,’ or asking about their day make the home feel warmer. And with both people bringing that kind of energy, the apartment feels like a place you’d love to come back to.
A Good Roommate, A Better Friend
Evidently, the little things matter when sharing a space. You have to pull your weight and respect their boundaries. Do it right and you’ll be making the living arrangement smoother.
And remember to look out for each other because that’s how you end up being friends long after the lease ends.
Featured image from Pinterest.
