You might love having someone constantly around for an impromptu movie marathon. We know you definitely admire having that same person in your apartment to pay half the rent, but sometimes living with a roommate isn’t the love-fest it’s cracked up to be. Maybe your roommate is on the sloppy side and leaves the kitchen sink a disaster, or maybe she/he is an early-riser and blasts the TV at 6:00 am in the morning. Whatever this issue, there’s a good chance you can resolve it.
Here below, you’ll find a few tips on how to resolve some common roommate issues:
1. Schedule a Time To Chat
There’s a good chance that your roommate will try and brush you off if he/she is in a rush or just walked in after a long day. Setting something up by text or note on the door is ideal, especially if the two of you are barely on speaking terms.
2. Meet in Neutral Territory
Pick a spot – outside of the apartment – where you both can talk, such as a coffee shop. Meeting in a public space like the university courtyard or Starbucks® may keep tempers at bay and not fill your home with bad energy.
3. Be Direct; Don’t Scoot Around the Subject
State the problem clearly to your roommate without delving into character flaws and going on the personal attack. If the issue is their cleanliness, say so without throwing around insults like “lazy” and “selfish.”
4. Give Your Roommate a Chance To Respond
There are always three sides to every story: your side, their side and the truth. It’s possible that your roommate genuinely hasn’t been bothered by the mess in the kitchen, or maybe he/she has been letting the dishes pile up as a passive-aggressive retaliation for your significant other overstaying their welcome.
5. You Have To Give To Receive
Remember, to get something you want, you’ll probably have to give first. Compromise is a two-way street and if you don’t want to be the one to empty the dishwasher every morning, you might need to limit sleepovers with your better half in order to stay in your roommate’s good graces.
6. Get It Down on Paper
It may seem a bit of a daunting task, but drafting a roommate agreement can be hugely helpful. Post it on the fridge where you both can see it. Having something in writing might help to resolve your next conflict before it even begins.
If these steps don’t bring you two closer to resolving your issues, you may want to seek a mediator or neutral third-party. Sometimes, however, the only way to truly resolve conflicts is for you both to separate.
Are you ready to live alone in a studio or one-bedroom apartment? Search for your next home on Apartments.com!
