What to Look for in a Roomie

Living with roommates is an excellent way to save money. But it's also tough and challenging.

You'll not only have to compromise on some things but also sync your life and schedule to live together effectively. What used to be your space is now theirs as well.

Living with someone you're not compatible with can be a bad experience. It's advisable to take your time when looking for a roommate, go through several options before settling on someone, and have criteria to gauge your potential roommate.

So, if you're hunting for a roomie, here are 5 qualities of a good roommate.

1. Communication is Key!

We hear it everywhere-it's needed for work, your personal life and most definitely at home-good communication skills. When you share a living space with someone, you need to communicate effectively to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. Communication is especially crucial when discussing important matters like rent, bills, and household chores.

When you communicate effectively, you create an environment where you and your roommate can express your needs and feelings openly and respectfully. The result is a better understanding of each other's perspectives and needs, making resolving issues and finding common ground easier.

Here are some examples of good communication skills that can be useful for roommates:

Respecting each other's schedules and communicating about important events or activities that may affect the other person.
Clearly expressing your needs and expectations
Communicating about household tasks and responsibilities
Expressing appreciation
Asking for permission before using or borrowing your roommate's belongings
Listening actively

2. Are you a Felix or an Oscar?

Living with an organized roomies can make your living space more comfortable. It is also easier to find your belongings on a busy morning.

Here are cleanliness and organization hacks to keep your shared space clean:

Regularly cleaning common areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Hack-keep cleaning items around (sponge on the sink, squeegie in the shower, to keep it simple)
Keeping personal items stored neatly
Taking turns cleaning responsibilities, such as doing dishes, taking out the trash, and vacuuming. Hack-keep a cleaning schedule on the fridge!
Wiping down surfaces after use, such as the kitchen counter and dining table.
Organizing belongings in designated areas like closets and shelves.
Labeling shared items and respecting each other's belongings.
Being mindful of food storage and not leaving perishable items to spoil. Hack-Move soon to expire foods to the front of the fridge to remember to eat them!

Before moving in with someone, make sure your idea of cleanliness matches. Some people are okay with a bit of clutter, while others always want their space perfectly neat.

3. Respect for Space

If you prefer quiet time in the evening, you can ask your roommate to keep the noise down during certain hours. Similarly, if you value your privacy, establish rules around your personal space, such as your bedroom or bathroom.

Respecting your roommate's boundaries by asking before borrowing their belongings or entering their personal space without permission is also essential. Doing laundry late at night, gaming without headphones and loud facetimes can be intrusive. Have frequent chats about your lifestyle preferences. Hack-meet for coffee once a week (even at home!) to catch up.

4. Keeping it Organized

A responsible roommate pays their bills on time, contributes their fair share of shared expenses, and is reliable. As a roommate, you should also be responsible for your actions and hold yourself accountable when you make mistakes or unintentionally cause issues.

Some ways to be responsible and accountable as a roommate include;

Following through on any commitments or agreements made with your roommate, such as contributing to household chores or paying bills on time. Hack-keep bills on the fridge and mark as paid once taken care of!
Taking responsibility for any messes or damage you cause to the living space and taking steps to clean up or repair the issue as needed. Hack-use a tenancy management tool to track comms with your landlord!

5. Be Open-Minded

This can be anything from being open to trying new things, whether a new hobby or a different approach to household chores, to being willing to adjust your schedule or routine to accommodate your roommate's needs or preferences.

Some situations require adjusting to unexpected changes or challenges, such as a shift in household responsibilities, working schedules, even a shift monthly rent or utilities. When you're both flexible, you can compromise and find solutions.

There is no ideal way to be a roommate, and there is not one set of rules to play by. Be yourself and in your search, keep in mid that roomies of all types can be very pleasant to live with.