How to Choose a Roommate and Live Together Harmoniously
If you want to rent a shared apartment with several people from autumn onwards, now is the right time to make plans. And as experienced flat-sharers say, it doesn't matter whether you choose a good friend or a complete stranger as your roommate – everyone has to pay bills equally and clean up after themselves. And most importantly, accept the rules of communal living. It has happened that old friends become enemies after sharing a home.
If you haven't shared an apartment with multiple people before, we recommend you keep some tips in mind.
1. Investigate your future roommate's background
If you've found a roommate candidate through an ad, recommendation, or some other channel, it's worth investigating their background. Some people say that snooping on others in social media isn't nice, but we say that if it helps prevent future problems, it's not shameful at all. At first meetings, we all wear a mask to a greater or lesser degree, and often we're not even aware of it – everyone wants to show themselves in the best light. But on social media, a person's actual lifestyle and character become visible much more quickly.
2. Find out why someone is looking for a new roommate
If you find out why your roommate didn't like their previous neighbors, you can learn quite a bit about their own preferences and way of life.
3. Be prepared for daily interaction
If you're the type to keep to yourself, life in a shared apartment can become difficult, because on shared spaces (such as the kitchen) you will inevitably encounter others. However, most people have nothing against a little social interaction, and if you also find nice people, it's quite pleasant to have someone to have coffee with in the morning.
4. Agree on who will be the money collector
In shared apartments, there is usually one resident who communicates with the owner and collects money. It makes sense that this person also has slightly better rental terms, because why should someone remind others to pay their utilities without receiving any compensation.
We recommend posting utility bills on the kitchen wall or refrigerator door. This way all amounts are visible and no one has grounds to think they're being treated unfairly. It's also wise to note payments in the same place – this disciplines forgetful people.
5. Agree on the rules
Have a proper meeting at the beginning together with snacks and a little wine, where you agree on the rules. It's worth discussing all sorts of things.
For example:
- cleaning arrangements,
- refrigerator shelf distribution,
- what is a reasonable amount of time to spend in the bathroom in the morning,
- how shared household supplies are purchased,
- whether it's okay to eat other people's food, or does everyone eat only their own (in the first case, agree on compensation as well).
6. Are partners allowed?
This is a more delicate topic, but if things are agreed upon from the start, no one will have reason to complain or make a fuss later.
So. Agree on how many nights a week a resident's girlfriend or boyfriend can stay over without becoming a co-tenant who doesn't pay rent. Otherwise, it may happen that every morning some type who strictly speaking doesn't even live in the apartment uses up all the hot water, not to mention paying utility bills.
7. Keep in mind that other people have their own habits
Keep in mind that even if you've agreed on rules, things may start to irritate you or someone else that can't be agreed upon. For example, someone might not eat onions and the smell of them frying makes them nauseous. (A real-life example.) But banning certain foods would be too restrictive.
8. Plan B
We recommend you also think about a plan B in case your roommates unexpectedly move out. Can you afford to pay one or two months' rent on your own until you find a new roommate or roommates, or will you have to start looking for a new home yourself?
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