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Roommate Discussion

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