Roommates Issues Agreement

From BluWiki

Things to consider while living with people

• Look at your own behavior. Are you infringing on the rights of others?

• Be honest. Being straightforward and direct can help resolve and prevent problems.

• Do not let things build up. Address problems as they happen. Use assertiveness training to help in making appropriate requests for behavior change from a roommate.

• If you have requested the roommate to change his/her behavior, give him/her a chance to change. Thank them for making attempts to change. This will be more effective than continually harping on them.

• Be flexible about your roommate's lifestyle. It may not be the same as yours, but as long as he is not hurting himself or others do not try to impose your will on the person. If it is something that is bothersome, talk about it and get the other person's point of view. If a person's lifestyle is still causing too much strife, it is probably time to go separate ways.

• Don't get taken advantage of. Be assertive when you think your roommate is making demands that are unreasonable. If you don't, you will build up resentment and the relationship will turn sour.

• Agree to disagree. Even the best relationships will hit bad times. When there are points of disagreement in the roommate relationship, sometimes you have to agree to disagree. If it is an item that is too personal or bothersome, you may need to look for a different place.

Roommate Info Links

• http://www.workshopsinc.com/manual/Ch1L6.html
• http://gaga.essortment.com/skillgettingal_rcqh.htm
• http://www.nmsu.edu/~stiles/Living/Living-13.htm#rsk
• http://www.residentassistant.com/advice/roommate1.htm
• http://www.lasierra.edu/departments/slife/residential/gettingalong.htm
• http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,69-8205,00.html
• http://www.emilypost.com/etiquette/everyday/tips_roomies.htm
• http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HUV/is_5_32/ai_113052491

Discuss and come to agreement on

Rent

• Is one person going to pay the rent or is each person going to send a separate check to the landlord?

• What happens when a person can't pay?

• Will a person pay extra if they get a parking spot or bigger room?

Bills

• Whose name will be on the bills?

• How will we pay for the bills? Will we pay with separate checks or will each person pay the person whose name is on the utility bill?

• What phone and cable services will you have?

Household Duties

• How often will different areas be cleaned?

• Who will do the cleaning?

Lease

• Who will be responsible for property damage?

• How will the security deposit be handled?

• What is the policy for subletting? Do all the roommates need to agree on subletting?

Guests

• Are overnight guests allowed?

• How long can a guest stay?

• Where will guests stay?

Activities

• Will there be quiet hours?

• Will parties be allowed? How big will they be and what will be served?

• Will there be limits on how loud the TV and radio can be played?

• Will there be limits on how long someone can be on the phone?

Sharing

• What items will be shared? Consider telephone, bathroom, and television.

• If items are shared, who will be responsible when something is broken or used up?

• If food is shared, how will the shopping be divided up?

Smoking

• Will smoking be allowed? If so, where?

Other

• What other issues do any roommates want to raise?

• How will future disputes be settled?