Moving out on your own is definitely an exciting time. More independence and control over your own life are great perks, but it might not always be affordable to live alone. This is when the issue of roommates arises. There are several things to take into consideration when moving in with someone, and it’s best to plan ahead. Whom will you be living with, and how will this affect the coming time you will spend in your new apartment?

The idea of living together with your best friends might seem appealing. You’re always with your best friends, anyway, so wouldn’t it be great to live with them? Not necessarily. Keep in mind that when your best friends go home, so do their home life habits. Perhaps you are a creature of the night, not going to bed until 4am, but your best friend likes to get a jump on the day and goes to bed at 10pm, waking up at 6am. Everyone has their sticking points, and it is best to discuss your pet peeves with potential roommates. Make a list of everyone’s biggest annoyances from a roommate as part of an agreement of living together and avoid, say, leaving one dish in the sink or listening to music too loudly.

Another factor to take into consideration is trust. Do you trust your friends with monetary issues like timely bill payment and rent payment? This is one of the largest deciding factors on which to agree to be someone’s roommate. A friendship could take a turn for the worse, or even end because of someone’s irresponsibility with paying bills on time. A recent article published in the Daily Illini states, “[f]or those who do find themselves in a situation where a roommate is not paying their share of rent, solutions can be limited”. The ultimate solution would be a lawsuit. This doesn’t have to be the end all be all, there are other options available for living with other peacefully.

Before moving in:

-Make sure everyone is included in the apartment hunting process. What you picture as the perfect place might be very different from what your roommates’ thinking.
-Decide who is responsible for what within the household: chores, bills, apartment upkeep, rent payment and furniture and appliances.
-Create a roommate agreement so that everyone is aware of the above as well as possible consequences.

After moving in:

-Build a good roommate relationship by keeping the lines of communication open
-Stick to the roommate agreement
-Stay on track with everyone’s responsibilities. For instance, creating an event within email calendars to show up for everyone nearing the time when rent is due is just one way of automating a rent payment reminder.
Living with others can be a rewarding and positive experience, but has the potential to go sour. Planning and making responsible choices can save you and your friendships.