Roommate tips

• Have a clear list of priorities, requirements and deal breakers.

• Be upfront about quirks and expectations

• Take a look at the conditions of the apartment or house you’ll be living in – is it messy?

• Divide chores to share the load

• How will you split groceries?

• Will you have quiet hours?

• What is for sharing and what is private? 

Cleanliness

Most roommate conflicts occur because of differences in expectations around cleanliness and frequency of when chores and cleaning should be done. Agree on these expectations before you agree to live with someone.

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This is another source of conflict. Do you need total quiet, like to play music 24 hours a day, or want a living environment that is something in between? Talk about it to see if you will be happy and productive with your roommates.

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What are your expectations about you and your roommates having friends over? How often? Extended stays? Overnights?

Sharing

What will and won’t you be open to sharing when it comes to things like food, expenses, kitchen items/furniture, cleaning products, your personal items (clothing, toiletries), and other shared items (toilet paper, spices for example). Have a discussion, make some rules and stick to them.

Lifestyle

Do you like to party? Do you like to cook and share food? Do you prefer to get take-out? Do you smoke? Are you a rule follower? Do certain things make you anxious? What is your level and expectations around privacy? What are you expecting from the relationship (new BFF, just someone to pay half the rent? A cleaner? Your personal chef?).

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• Learn your conflict resolution style

• Talk in person. Avoid using text. Definitely don’t post anything on social media about it

• Use “I” statements instead of blaming “you” statements

• Learn what being a good listener means and practice listening. Seek to understand their perspective

• Stay calm, be kind, assume they have good intentions

• Don’t swear, name call or have an emotional outburst

• Get support if you need it beforehand

• Try not to address issues when angry

• Don’t involve others that are not part of the issue. (Landlords will not get involved in roommate conflicts).

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Treat it as a living document that may need revising and changing as the year goes on. Strive to have a win-win situation. You have agreed to live together, and you both want to be happy, so start there and see if you can come to a compromise or a place where you both feel your needs are being met.

Know when to call it quits

• If you have been threatened, have been assaulted, or fear someone you are living with, get immediate help.

• Check your rights by looking at .

• rely on supports available through ��������app such as the International Centre�����ٲ��ڴ�,��Student Health and Wellness�����ٲ��ڴ�,��an Indigenous Student Centre�����屹�����ǰ�,���ǰ������� Black Student Advising Centre�����屹�����ǰ�.