Tips For Moving in With Roommates

Living with roommates is like a reality show... but with more dirty dishes.

Moving in with roommates can be as exciting as it is terrifying. +

You’ve probably heard it before – There’s no way to tell if you’re truly compatible with someone until you’ve shared a bathroom with them.” 

And honestly? That’s kind of true.

But here’s the thing: moving in with roommates isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving. It’s about learning how to live together, share space, and still keep your sanity intact.

And here's a fun little stat for you: as of the latest census, nearly 79 million Americans live with roommates, making up about 31.9% of the adult population.

But don't sweat it – with a bit of planning and some roommate living tips, you can turn your shared living situation into something you actually enjoy.

So, if you're wondering how to move in with roommates without stress and avoid making rookie mistakes, keep reading.

Open and Honest Communication is KEY

If you’re about to move in with someone, you’ve got to talk.

It’s not enough to just casually mention that you like your space quiet or that you can’t deal with dishes piling up. You need to lay it all out on the table.

Start with the basics: what time do you like to go to bed?

What are your cleaning habits like?

Do you bring people over a lot?

And how messy do you really get when you’re in a rush?

Discuss all of this upfront, and you’ll save yourself a ton of headaches later.

Looking to make your move a breeze? Check out themovers near you!

Create a “Moving In with Roommates” Checklist

Before you pack up your stuff and head to your new digs, make a checklist.

Here’s a simple but effective moving in with roommates checklist:

Rent and Bills

• Who’s paying for what? Will you split rent and utilities equally, or will the person in the bigger room pay a bit more?
• How will you pay bills?: Agree on how the rent and utilities will be paid each month. Will you send money to one person or use an app to split everything?
• What happens if someone doesn’t pay on time?: Establish a system for handling late payments and make sure you’re clear on the consequences.

Cleaning Duties

• Who does what?: Create a cleaning schedule for shared spaces like the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and hallway. Be specific about who’s doing what.
• How often will cleaning be done?: Decide if cleaning will happen weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Also, how often will the bathroom get cleaned?
• Who’s responsible for supplies?: Decide who will buy cleaning supplies (or take turns). You don’t want to run out of paper towels mid-week!

Shared Spaces

• Set rules for the kitchen: Will you share food, or should you stick to your own stuff? Create clear guidelines on sharing food and respecting each other’s space in the fridge.
• Living Room Etiquette: How will the living room be used? Will you have set hours for movie nights, or is it first come, first served for the TV?
• Bathroom Guidelines: Who uses what bathroom, and will there be a system for cleaning? Also, consider bathroom schedules if you have more than one person needing the bathroom in the morning.

Privacy

• Respecting private spaces: Does everyone get their own room as a private sanctuary? Make sure everyone respects each other’s rooms as private spaces.
• Quiet Hours: Set expectations for quiet hours, especially during study time, late at night, or early morning. No blasting music at 2 AM!
• Personal Time: Talk about what each person needs for alone time. Some people might be social butterflies, and others might need a quiet place to recharge.

Guest Policies

• How often can guests come over? Set boundaries for when friends, partners, or family members can visit. Is there a rule about overnight guests?
• How long can guests stay?: Establish how long someone can stay over without causing friction. Keep it reasonable.
• Respecting roommates’ guests: If a guest is staying over, make sure they respect the space and follow the same house rules.

Noise Levels

• Agree on noise levels: Decide on acceptable noise levels in shared spaces, especially during designated quiet times. This includes loud music, TV, or talking on the phone.
• Headphones: If you like to blast music or watch shows late into the night, be clear about whether you need to use headphones.

Security and Safety

• Who has access to the keys?: Establish who gets the keys to the apartment and who has access to it.
• Security protocols: Discuss safety measures like locking doors and keeping windows secured when everyone is home or away.
• Emergency contacts: Share emergency contacts in case something goes wrong in the apartment (e.g., a plumbing issue, power outage, or fire).

Conflict Resolution

• How will conflicts be addressed?: Make sure you agree on how to handle conflicts when they arise. Will you have a calm conversation or put a note on the fridge?
• No passive-aggressive behavior: Make a rule that if something bothers one person, they should speak up respectfully. This avoids the dreaded silent treatment.

Food and Grocery Shopping

• Shared groceries: Will you shop for communal food (like snacks, coffee, or cereal) together, or is everything strictly “my food” vs. “your food”?
• Kitchen supplies: Decide who will buy the kitchen essentials (spices, cooking oils, utensils). Make sure everyone has access to what they need, but not everyone needs to have everything.
• Leftovers: Establish a policy on how long you can keep leftovers in the fridge. Do you need to label food? Is there a time limit?

Pet Policies

• Are pets allowed?: If you're planning to bring a pet, discuss if that’s okay. Some roommates might have allergies or simply not want pets around.
• Pet care responsibilities: If someone has a pet, be clear about responsibilities like walking the dog, feeding, or cleaning up after them.
• Pet damage: Agree on how you’ll handle potential pet damage to shared spaces (scratching furniture, accidents in the house, etc.).

Before you start moving in with roommates, make sure you're fully prepared by checking outour ultimate moving checklist,which will help you stay organized throughout the process.

Roommate Agreement Essentials

This is one of the most underrated aspects of roommate life.

It’s not the fun part, but a roommate agreement is one of the most important things you can do.

Basically, it’s like a “contract” that covers everything you two (or more) agree on, from rent to chores to quiet hours.

Many people think, "Oh, we don't need it. We're chill," but having it in writing can save you from a lot of awkward conversations down the road.

Things like:

• Who’s responsible for cleaning the bathroom?
• What’s the deal with overnight guests?
• How do we handle bills if one person forgets to pay on time?

Ready to save big on your move?Get instant moving quotesand start planning today!

How to Adjust to Living with Roommates

Living with roommates is like trying to juggle a bunch of different personalities, quirks, and habits.

Some things will be easy, and others will be a bit harder.

Maybe your roommate likes to play the guitar late at night, or they like having their friends over every weekend.

It’s all about adjusting and finding ways to live together without pulling your hair out.

• Start with small compromises: If you like your room completely quiet and your roommate blasts music, talk about setting certain hours for that.
• Find common ground on cleaning: Maybe you're OCD about tidiness, but your roommate doesn't care much. Work out a plan that works for both of you.
• Give each other space: Remember, having some time to yourself is okay.

Note: It's normal to need time to adjust to your roommate's habits, and you should be flexible during the process. Just remember to communicate and respect each other's space.

How to Get Along with Your Roommates

How to get along with your roommates might sound like a no-brainer, but it can sometimes be tricky. The truth is respect is everything.

Some tips to keep the peace:

• Be cool with their friends: As long as they’re respectful, try not to get upset about their guests. If it bothers you, have an open discussion about how often people can hang out.
• Don't snoop through their stuff: If you need something, just ask. Nobody likes a snoop. If it’s not yours, don’t touch it!
• Talk about issues early: Instead of letting things fester, bring up issues while they're still small. It's way easier to resolve a small problem before it grows bigger.

"Moving in with roommates is just the start—if you're new to the city, check out our guide onhow to make friends in a new cityto help you build connections.

Shared Living Etiquette: The Dos and Don’ts

When you’re living with someone, you can’t just follow your own rules anymore. You need to follow some basic shared living etiquette.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Roommate Living Tips - A Few More Things to Consider

Here are a few roommate living tips that might seem small but will make a huge difference:

Have a “Quiet Hours” Agreement

Setting clear quiet hours will prevent late-night drama. If one roommate needs to study or sleep early, it's important to agree on quiet times.

Don’t Invade Each Other’s Space

Personal space is key. If your roommate’s door is closed, don’t barge in. Knock first and respect their privacy. Everyone needs time to recharge in their own room, so keep the respect mutual.

Be Mindful of Bathroom Time

The bathroom can be a battlefield if not properly managed. Agree on bathroom schedules during busy times (like mornings before work or school), and be mindful of how long you're using the bathroom.

Take Turns Hosting Guests

If you like having guests over often, make sure you balance it out. Don't be that person who constantly has people over without considering your roommate's feelings.

Communicate About Shared Expenses

Money talk isn’t always fun, but it’s necessary. Stay on top of shared expenses like rent, utilities, and supplies. Be upfront about who will cover what, and if one person has a hard time paying, talk it through calmly.

Recommended Resources

• College Dorm Essentials - What to Pack for College!

• Ultimate College Move In Checklist – What to Bring

• Moving out for College