How to Live With Your Roommate

We have all been there. Whether it be in college, a job, or just trying to make ends meet, we needed someone to help with the bills. You put out word to your friends, family, or internet that you are looking for a roommate. Luckily, you find one and they seemed to be a nice person. So you let them move in and after a while problems start to arise. You do not know what to do and need some help. Well, here are some simple steps that can help you solve those pesky problems.

1. Sit down with the roommate and discuss the problem. The problem could be like eating your food, using your shampoo, or playing music too loud. For more serious problems like dealing with rent or joint bills, follow your judgement and act accordingly.


2. Make a plan with the roommate to stop it from happening again. A simple solution could be writing your name on the food that you buy or moving bathroom items into each others bedroom. Talk about what would happen if the problem continued and a way that both roommates benefit from the decision. A good example could be a money jar. Each time someone messes up, put a dollar in the jar for future bills.


3. Do not pressure someone into a plan that does not suit them. It will only make matters worst and your life miserable.


4. If it does continue, do not let it. Let them know that you both came to an agreement and that you are enforcing it. If it continues after that, let them know that they need to start searching for a new place.

For more serious problems, a different set of rules should be set up for the roommate. That includes money issues or anything that you both agreed on when moving in.

1. Talk to your roommate about the issue. If they are any of the issues listed above, talk to them when you find out about it. Not three months down the road.


2. Create a strict plan on how to solve the problem. All issues should be solved quickly.


3. If it continues after that, tell them that by the end of the following month, they will need to move out. If you are not stern with this, they will continue living there and the problem will persist.

Some problems shouldn't be dealt with the previous steps. If you are getting abused, seeing drugs done, or the use of excessive alcohol, there are some more serious things you can do to stop them from happening.

• If the roommate is doing drugs or drinking excessively, first ask them to stop. If they continue afterwards, get a hold of a family member that will be willing to help them into rehab. Also, use your discretion on whether to let them continue living there or not after the rehab is finished.
• If you get abused, call the local Sheriff's department. They will arrest your roommate and put him in jail. That also will give you grounds to kick them out. In doing so, get a hold of their family to move the roommate's items out of the house.
• In any other serious situation, call the local Sheriff's department. They will help you with the problem.

These are just a few broad steps that can help roommates co-exist together in harmony or make your life better.

By Tyler Craft