How to Establish Rules with Your Roommates

Living with roommates can be amazing! It’s a great way not just to make friends but to get on your feet and save some money. If you’re just moving in with new roommates, setting healthy boundaries and expectations as soon as possible will set you and your roommates up for success in the long term. But even if you’ve been living with your roommates for a while, how should you approach the conversation of setting rules with them?

Split Shared Responsibilities Fairly

Everyone has their own acceptable level of cleanliness and responsibility. When living with someone new, it’s essential to establish a fair baseline for common areas and split responsibilities equally. While everyone should clean up after themselves and keep the area generally tidy, you may need to discuss household chores like dusting, cleaning windows, mopping, and vacuuming. It can also help to set a time frame for certain things, like washing dishes within 24 hours. You should try to be specific, but not exhaustive. 

Establish Acceptable Boundaries

Some people are introverts, and some are extroverts. When those two groups are roommates, it can be challenging to develop rules so everyone feels comfortable. Consider establishing boundaries like quiet hours or a wind-down period after work or classes. It would help to discuss any potentially shared utensils like pots and pans before moving in. If your roommate doesn’t want to share and have separate utensils instead, it’s good to know that ahead of time! 

Be Direct with Your Roommates

While confrontation can feel scary, being indirect or passive-aggressive about it can cause misunderstandings and even more hurt feelings. Instead of complaining to your roommates about behavior that upsets you, approach it as a constructive conversation. After all, you want your living situation to be comfortable! If you take the time to acknowledge an issue and offer to be part of the solution, your roommate will be much more receptive. 

Come Home to Comfort and Convenience at Prescott Square Apartments

Nestled in the wooded hills of Pikesville, yet just moments away from Baltimore, Reisterstown, Randallstown, Millford Mill, Gwynn Oak, Old Court, Owings Mills, Garrison, Lochearn, and Windsor Mill, Prescott Square Apartments offers spacious apartment living spaces for everyone! We offer two-bedroom homes with wall-to-wall carpeting/hardwood flooring, central A/C, access to oversized patios/balconies, and maintenance whenever you need it. To set up an appointment to take a look at our apartments, call us at 443-213-8584 or visit our website!