How To Set Rules For Roommates
It’s easy to get along with roommates if you’re on the same page about many important things. However, getting to that point isn’t always as simple as it sounds if you haven’t had roommates before. Understandably, you may wonder how to set rules for roommates.
The best way to set rules for roommates is to have a meeting and let everyone voice their priorities. You can also take this chance to divide chores and bills, so everyone is responsible for something. Reach a consensus about bathroom and kitchen etiquette to avoid conflict and respect each other’s space.
It’s also worth taking turns buying basic household supplies, like toilet paper and paper towels. Follow along as we explore how to set rules for roommates.
How To Establish Rules With A Roommate
1. Have A Meeting
You cannot establish rules with your roommates until you have a conversation. This is everyone’s chance to voice their opinions, concerns, and expectations. Make a mental list of talking points before the conversation to make sure you cover everything.
Bring up important topics, such as bills, shared spaces, and household chores. For example, everyone can either elect to take care of specific chores, or you can take turns doing them. This is also a great chance to establish household rules regarding noise and even guests.
You can agree upon a “quiet period” each night to ensure everyone can sleep. It’s also important to establish guidelines about having guests over. Keep in mind that you can always bring up these topics again. However, it’s good to start on the right foot with an initial conversation.
2. Maintain Personal Space
Maintaining personal space is essential to coexisting with roommates. However, you may not necessarily need to set rules about personal space with your roommates. There’s a good chance that your roommates are aware of how important it is.
That’s why you may want to avoid that conversation until it’s necessary. For example, you can highlight the importance of personal space if your roommates regularly invade yours. Find a polite way to mention that your bedroom is off-limits.
Keep in mind that it goes both ways, so you cannot invade their space either. Luckily, you shouldn’t have a problem with this if you already know your roommates before moving in together.
3. Split Chores
No matter how big or small your home is, you must keep up with chores. Luckily, it’s much easier to do so when you have roommates than if you live alone. However, it’s only possible if you come up with ways to ensure the chore duties are even.
Make sure it feels like a group decision, so you don’t come across as bossy. Talk to your roommates and see who wants to take care of which chores. Keep in mind that it may take some negotiating, as some chores are harder than others.
You can keep everything fair if you take turns with chores. Some people even create “chore boards” where the tasks are switched each week. That way, everyone will take care of each chore at different times.
4. Establish Bathroom Etiquette
It’s all too easy to get into useless arguments with your roommates about bathroom etiquette. That’s especially true if you only have one bathroom to share with several roommates. Ideally, you should establish a reasonable shower length if one or more roommates take overly long showers.
You can also avoid conflict if you set a rule that everyone must warn their roommates before showering. This gives everyone the chance to use the bathroom before someone takes a shower. That way, nobody has to suffer in silence waiting to use the bathroom while another person is showering.
Roommates can also avoid conflict if everyone has a designated drawer. However, you may need to split drawers and cabinets if you have limited space. This takes a trial period, and you may need to adjust your routine to keep each other happy.
5. Restock Supplies
Living in a house with several roommates means you may go through resources quickly. Whether it's paper towels, tissues, or toilet paper, someone must restock these items. One way to maintain peace is to set a rule that everyone must buy these items for themselves.
However, that isn’t always practical, so you can simply take turns restocking essentials like toilet paper. That said, you can’t expect anyone to restock items they don’t use. For example, your roommate may not use facial tissues, so they shouldn’t buy them.
It’s easy to create a plan if you simply talk about it. Make sure that you never get down to the last roll of paper towels or toilet paper, so you don't unexpectedly run out of the product.
6. Pay Bills On Time
You can’t be expected to be responsible for every bill if you have several roommates. Roommates typically put certain bills in their name and collect money to cover them. For example, you can put the electric bill in your name and charge your roommates for their portion.
This keeps the costs low and ensures everyone has a specific bill in their name. However, you must make it clear that everyone must pay bills on time. You don't want the power shut off because your roommate is behind on bills.
You can avoid this problem if you encourage everyone to set their bills to be paid automatically. Granted, that is inconvenient if the bill doesn’t need to be paid for a few weeks and you’re waiting on a work check. However, you must get on the same page with your roommates about paying bills and rent on time.
7. Keep The Volume Low
You don’t need to worry about blasting your favorite song as loud as possible when you live alone. However, living with roommates means you must recognize that they don’t want to hear your music and movies. Keep the volume low to avoid disturbing your roommates and keeping them up at night.
You must especially keep the volume low in shared spaces and a bedroom with a shared wall. It’s worth getting a nice pair of headphones if you can’t help but listen to your favorite songs loudly.
8. Be Considerate About Guests
Ideally, you should keep your roommates in mind before you invite guests over. That’s especially true if your guest is someone your roommates don’t know, as they may understandably be uncomfortable with having strangers in their home.
For example, they may be surprised to see a stranger in a shared space, like the family room. It’s worth asking your roommates if they’re okay with you having guests over. You should especially avoid having guests over to spend the night if your roommates aren’t okay with it.
9. Stick To Your Food
Countless roommates have had conflicts regarding food in the kitchen. This is one of the easiest roommate conflicts to avoid if you only eat your food. Never eat your roommate’s food unless they specify that they’re sharing it.
Unfortunately, you may need to label your food if you have a consistent problem with this. Luckily, it’s an easy rule to follow if you leave your roommate’s food alone and only eat yours.
10. Keep Up With Trash
Your house will quickly smell and look bad if you and your roommates fall behind on trash and recycling. Make sure that everyone is aware of what day your trash and recycling gets collected each week. In some places, recycling trucks come bi-weekly, so keep track of it.
Everyone must throw away their trash and recycle cans and bottles. It’s also important for everyone to check the trash can and take the bag out once it’s full. Take turns rolling the trash and recycling bins out to the curb if that makes things easier.
11. Respect The House
Whether you rent a house or apartment, everyone must respect the space. You must eventually move out, and the last thing you want is to incur charges. For example, excessive damage and dirty floors or walls can trigger a landlord to charge fees when you move out.
It’s easier to take care of your home on a regular basis than play catch-up and rush to clean before moving out. Make sure nobody smokes indoors if you live in a smoke-free home. The same rule applies to pets, as you can face large fees if you get caught with pets when you’re not supposed to.
Summing It Up
Politely establish rules among your roommates and split bills and chores to keep everything fair. Have a meeting to get everyone on the same page for rules regarding noise, chores, guests, and bathroom etiquette. Make sure everyone respects the rules of the lease, or else you may face fines or eviction.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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