Your place · Moving out

Living with roommates

Most roommate fights are about the same few things: sleep, noise, guests, cleaning, food, borrowing and money. Talk about them in the first week, write down what you agree on, and bring up problems early and in person, within 48 to 72 hours. You don't have to be best friends. You do have to talk.

Easy1 hour to set upFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

Your roommates, at a time when nobody's rushed
A written roommate agreement or a free template
The question list below

What to know

Before you sit down, think about your own routines and what you need to be comfortable, so you can say it clearly. Source: Rutgers³
Learn each other's schedules. An early class and a late work shift matter more than whether you like the same music. Source: CU Boulder¹
Go through the big topics and write down what you agree on: quiet hours and bedtimes, cleaning and trash, shared food, using each other's things, guests and overnight visitors, and what happens if something breaks. Source: Rutgers³
Put numbers on it where you can: quiet hours from when to when, how many nights a guest can stay without asking again, and how many people counts as a party that needs everyone's OK. Source: Ohio State Legal Services⁴
Ask before you borrow anything, including food, clothes and toiletries. Give a heads-up about guests or a weekend away. Source: CU Boulder¹
Bring up problems early, ideally within 48 to 72 hours, before things get heated. Source: George Mason² Do it face to face. A texted "Don't forget to take out the trash" can land very differently than you meant. Source: CU Boulder¹
Use "I" statements, listen without interrupting, then repeat back what you heard, including how they feel. Source: George Mason²
Look for a trade. Most fixes involve each person giving something and getting something. Source: George Mason² Then go back to the agreement and update it if it isn't working. Source: Rutgers³

Watch out Don't try to settle it while either of you is angry. It's OK to take a break and agree to talk again in 24 hours. Pick a private, neutral place to talk. Source: George Mason²

See it done

Video by How to Adult Independent creator

The 7 Habits of Highly Happy Roommates!

Watch on YouTube: The 7 Habits of Highly Happy Roommates!

2014 · Checked October 3, 2026

It's from 2014, but the advice holds: set the rules early and check in once a month. Our list of what to talk about is in the steps.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Living on campus and stuck? Resident assistants are often trained as mediators. Ask yours for help and go back to your agreement. Source: George Mason²
Living off campus? Some colleges help with roommate conflicts whether you live on or off campus. Source: CU Boulder¹ A written agreement helps here too.
Not close with your roommate? That's fine. Roommates don't need to be best friends. Acquaintances can be great roommates as long as there's respect and a willingness to talk. Source: Rutgers³
Worried about your roommate's wellbeing, not just their dishes? CU Boulder points students to its Student Outreach, Advocacy & Support office for that. Source: CU Boulder¹ Check whether your school has a similar office.
Feel unsafe? That's not a roommate disagreement. Call 911 in an emergency, and see Right now for help lines.

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Questions worth asking

From Rutgers' roommate guide: What's our definition of clean? Will we split the cost of cleaning supplies? Who empties the trash, and how often? Which groceries will we share, and how will we know who should restock them? Can guests use your bed when you're away? When should we revisit this agreement Source: Rutgers³?

An "I" statement (from CU Boulder)

"I feel frustrated when guests eat my snacks because I don't always have time to go grocery shopping." Source: CU Boulder¹

Compromise on the small stuff

CU Boulder's example: if you like studying at home on Friday afternoons and your roommate likes having friends over then, you could study at the library instead of asking for quiet. Source: CU Boulder¹

Write down money too

Roommate agreements commonly cover shared expenses. Source: George Mason² For rent and utilities, see Splitting bills with roommates.

Off-campus agreements go further

Ohio State's sample agreement also covers parking, smoking and alcohol, and who pays fines if police write a noise citation. Source: Ohio State Legal Services⁴

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

University of Colorado Boulder Key tips for living with roommates
George Mason University Roommate agreement and conflict resolution
Rutgers University Roommate guide and agreement
Ohio State University Student Legal Services Roommate agreement

Lesson H1.8 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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