The people you live with can really affect your experience of living in that house or apartment as well as how you do at school. When you start looking for a place, take some time to sit down with your potential housemates and have a frank, honest discussion about the basic setup of your arrangement and how your life together will work on a practical day-to-day basis. Always remember that the little things matter when you share a living space. Keep in mind that “best friends” don’t necessarily make “best housemates”.
Common housemate concerns
- Should the rent be split evenly or should there be a premium for larger rooms or better locations in the house?
- What will happen during the summer months, who plans on staying, and what will happen to the rooms that no one plans on staying in?
- Does a subtenant have to be approved by all the remaining housemates?
- Does anyone smoke? Is this okay with the rest of the housemates?
- Does every housemate need to be of the same gender?
- Who will do the dishes, clean the bathrooms, take out the garbage, etc.?
- Do people have certain standards for the above chores that should be communicated to the group?
- Do you expect quiet hours? Will you be OK if someone hosts a party?
- Who is responsible for paying the internet, electricity bills, etc. and when is everyone’s share due?
- Is it acceptable to have overnight guests and how often?