It is important to sit down with your roommates and have an honest conversation about how you are going to handle different areas of living together.  Here are a few suggestions to start the conversation:

Food/Shopping

• Are you planning to share food?
• Consider an agreement about who is to purchase which necessity items and how frequently? (Such as milk, bread, etc.)
• Determine a rotation for purchasing groceries
• Keep in mind any allergies or dietary needs that you may need to discuss

Cleanliness/Cleaning Responsibilities

• Create a list of jobs
• Determine a rotation for cleaning common area and washroom
• Determine how often the garbage and recycling will be taken out
• Who will bring what cleaning products?

Privacy

• When you may want to have privacy
• What will the arrangement be for being equal and respectful to each other’s privacy?

Sharing of Personal Items

• What do you agree to share or not share?  (Such as: Dishes, utensils, CDs, books, clothing, paper towel, toilet paper, computers, appliances, etc.)
• What do you need to ask permission to use before using?
• Set guidelines and limits for sharing

Noise/Study Times

• What are acceptable times for having guests over?
• How frequently do you plan to study each week?
• What do you plan to do in the room, while your roommate is studying to promote healthy study habits?
• How often in a week can friends come over and how many at a time?
• How do you plan to notify your roommate when you expect guests?
• Are guests of the opposite sex acceptable?
• What is an acceptable TV and stereo volume?

Overnight Guests

• How frequently do you plan to have overnight guests?
• How far in advance do you want to be told about your roommate having an overnight guest?
• Are there any limitations to when a guest can or cannot stay over? (i.e. Mid-terms, exams)
• Are there any rules that will be enforced to respect each other’s privacy while guests are over?

Smoking, Drinking, Drugs

• Do you drink alcohol?
• What are your drinking habits?
• Discuss how smoking, drinking and the use of drugs may affect one another
• If one or both roommates smoke, you may have to discuss ways to reduce the smell of smoke in the room remains on clothing

Parties/Entertainment

• How frequently do you plan to party in Residence?
• How social are you?
• Discuss ways you can socialize which are reasonable and conducive to both of you enjoying the Residence experience