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Roommates: The Do's and Don'ts

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Sometimes when you're looking or living with roommates you may think "Should I or Should I Not?" Just like a see-saw, it can be a balancing act. Whichever option you choose, making the right decision can definitely make living with a roommate easier and more enjoyable.

Here are a selection of do's and don'ts that will help you when looking for that perfect roommate or are already living with roommates.

5 Tips That Make Finding Roommates Easier

Your "Must Do's" When Looking For Your Perfect Roommate

When you're searching for your perfect roommate, just add these tips to your to-do list.
  • Create your own "perfect roommate recipe" before you starting looking for a roommate so that you can find the right person to share an apartment or house.
  • Choose a roommate that has a similiar personality, lifestyle and habits to you.
  • Check references before you ask a person to move in with you as a roommate.
  • Prepare for interviews so that you make the right first impression.
  • Take a friend along for a second opinion when meeting potential roommates.

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing Roommates

Your List of "Do Nots" When Looking For Roommates

Sometimes you may feel that you'll never find the right roommate. When looking for roommates, it's important that you do not:
  • Choose a roommate to move in that everyone in your household does not like.
  • Decide to move in with a person as a roommate where you will be unhappy as you can not find a better place to live or it's an easy way out.
  • Choose a roommate on impulse - take a look at the pros and cons first.
  • Turn up to interviews late or make promises you can not keep - it makes a bad impression on potential roommates.
  • Choose a place to live or a roommate purely for financial reasons. Personality traits and lifestyle are just as important.

5 Secrets To Successfully Living With Roommates

Your "To-Do" List To Make Sharing With Roommates More Enjoyable

The key to creating a enjoyable living environment when sharing an apartment or house with roommates is open communication and a set of plans. Your plans should include this set of dos:
  • Make a plan with your roommates for dealing with disputes and conflicts.
  • Set up rules with your roommates for entertaining, relationships, shopping, cleaning and finances.
  • Create a budget and money management system to ensure bills are paid on time.
  • Take time out from your roommates during stressful times in your household.
  • Discuss issues with your roommates that make you unhappy rather than keeping them yourself that in return can create an intense living environment.

5 Habits To Avoid When Living With Roommates

Your "Must Not Do" List When Sharing With Roommates

Everyone wants living with roommates to be a happy and enjoyable. It's a good idea when sharing an apartment or house not to:
  • Talk to your roommates about an issue when you or your roommates are angry, upset or stressed. It's better to discuss a problem in your household when everyone is calm.
  • Discuss or raise issues with roommates about your household in front of your roommates' friends.
  • Spend money for household expenses on a "as-needed" basis - its the easiest way to run out of money before the end of the month.
  • Fix any items that are broken like windows, curtains, doors before talking to your landlord, real estate agent or residential advisor.
  • Plan parties/gatherings or buy household goods before consulting your roommates.

Learn More About Finding and Living With Roommates

Articles That Help Finding and Living With Roommates Easier And More Enjoyable

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Making Your House Into A Home

Here are a selection of products currently available on Ebay that you might want to add to your "to buy" list. The selection changes constantly, so come back in a few hours or tomorrow for more ideas for how you can make you house into a home.
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More Roommate Resources

These Squidoo lenses have great tips and info about finding and living with roommates that you can add to your "to-do" and to-don't" lists.
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Glossary

Roommate Terms

Roommate
A term commonly used to describes flatmates in the United States.

Flatmate
A person who shares an apartment or house with 1 or more person to whom they are not related. This term is commonly used in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom.

Housemate
Roommate who shares the same house.

Share Accommodation
An apartment or house where roommates live.

Share House
A house where 2 or more roommates live.

Flatshare
An apartment where 2 or more roommates live.

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Flatwithme.com.au

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