The word probably brings to mind the nightmare of total strangers sleeping in your bed, rearranging your things, wearing your bathrobe, and taking over your life. If you are OCD, stop reading now.

Imagine the following scenarios:

Oh, Caspian. How on earth are you going to enjoy your “spirit hike” up the PCT this summer knowing the whole time that you’ll be paying rent for your cabin in Aspen that you won’t even be using? Can you even afford that REI shopping spree?!

But Hedley! Your company is INSISTING on three months in China to research traditional paper cutting in remote villages/ wine tasting? Your life is so taxing! Now you have to sublet!

How exhausting. Did you hear about poor Bunny Dupuey- L’Enfant? She’s been offered a dream job working on an organic kibbutz in Ashland but would have to leave two whole months before her lease expires. You KNOW how cutthroat sublets in gentrified Williamsburg can be.

The long and short of it is that many people sublet. It’s not a dirty word even if it sounds stressful. Below are some tips to consider before you embark on the process of inviting a stranger into your home to pay the rent you won’t be paying.

1. Make sure it’s legal.

This goes for both sides of the sublet battle. In some cases, sublets are not allowed in the lease (for good or bad reasons). Talk to your landlord and explain the circumstances and GET THE FINAL DECISION IN WRITING. If the answer is no, end of story. Suck it up and pay the bill.

2. Protect yourself.

Use common sense. Have the person subletting sign an agreement, remove anything you wouldn’t want lost/ broken/ stolen and stash it somewhere else. Get a deposit (just do it) and take pictures of the space prior to handing over the keys. The last thing you want is:

Don’t try to stiff me. That giant hole in the wall was already there.

Make sure you set the tone right away (even if you’re subletting to a friend) that you expect the place in the same condition you left it in when you return.

3. Get your roommates involved.

Don’t settle for the first person if you have a bad feeling.

*frantically looks at watch*
-Okay…so “Spider,” what makes you a responsible subleter?
-I can use my magic spells to destroy my enemies.
-Great! When can you move in?!

Being in a hurry/ being stressed does NOT mean it’s okay to saddle your roommates with a subletter who will commandeer the common spaces twice a week for hot yoga sessions or will want to talk to each of them at all hours about their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Make sure the person who is essentially taking your place for the next month or two is going to gel with your roommates. The last thing you want is to be sitting in a hostel in Singapore and get a series of frantic text messages that end with: “I fucked up bad, homie. If anyone asks, we’ve always had a shallow grave in the back yard. Also, things didn’t work out with that subletter.”

Involve your roomies in the process and make sure they’r comfortable with your choice in subletters.

In short: adhere to the following and it won’t go long:

Is it legal? Is it practical? Is it gonna last?

Do that, and your sublet will pay for itself. Literally.

The post Subletting: Friend or Fo? appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

Before jumping headfirst into the pet pool, take some time to consider the following points:

1. Is your roommate onboard?

If not, walk away now. Sometimes roommates will say that they’re going to “vote” on it, effectively bullying the other person into taking on a commitment that s/he may not want and disguising it as democracy. Even if you live with 4 other people and all but one of them wants to bring in a dog, that one person’s rights trumps the rest of the group. It is a huge burden to bring in a pet. It is unfair to and selfish to force someone who doesn’t want a pet to have to commit to one. It has to be an all-or-nothing type of deal for it to work.

2. Are you even allowed to have pets?

Most buildings/ landlords will allow pets provided that an extra fee is paid. However, sometimes landlords who have been burned by irresponsible pet owners in the past who left a trail of stained carpets, chewed up wires, and irreversible pet smells in their wake may dictate a no-pets policy. Do NOT be sneaky and try to hide a pet in your house. Anything from a cat that fits in your purse to a 300 pound St. Bernard can get you evicted. Some landlords will take it a step further and call the humane society to come take the animal away. Make SURE you know the policy on pets before bringing one in.

3. How do your schedules match up?

Pets like water. And food. Some pets even like using the bathroom in places that isn’t the rug. Hell, if your pet takes a fancy to you, s/he may even drop presents on your pillow like dead birds! Make sure that there is ALWAYS someone in the house to watch a dog. There is nothing more pitiful than a grown dog who has to sit in a cage all day because his/her owners work full time. Cats can usually be left alone because they are kind enough to use a litter box (pigs and some dogs can be litter-box trained as well). However, it is still unfair to leave an animal cooped up and bored all day. Pets deserve a loving home. Make sure that you and your roommates have the time to commit to the inconveniences of pet ownership before seriously looking for an animal to share your home with.

4. Make sure you have the funds to handle it.

It’s the same with kids. Vaccinate your pets and make sure they take their medicine. “Natural medicine” and “chemical free” lifestyles do not keep heart worms at bay. Burning sage or dropping gluten from your cat’s diet isn’t going to keep fleas and ticks off of her. “Positive thinking” won’t bump off rabies. Unless you’re attempting to write the canine answer to “Melanie’s Marvelous Measles” (Patches’s Perfect Parvo? Rex’s Radical Rabies?), make sure you have the funds to afford basic medicine to ensure your pet’s health. Furthermore, have money set aside for vet appointments and other incidentals. You never know when a trip may be required.

5. Divide up responsibility.

Mackinzie, Fifi just bit through my $256.99 boating shoes. NOW what am I supposed to wear tonight to the Prime Minister’s yacht party?

Does Mackinzie owe her roommate some money? But what if Fifi was on Donald Clyborne-Wilson’s watch when the boating shoe fiasco occurred? Make sure you know in advance who is responsible for the pet’s destructive tendencies. Nothing will rip a happy roommate family apart faster than unclear roles and responsibilities.

Additionally, make sure everyone knows what s/he has to do in terms of feeding and watering the pet or taking it on walks as necessary. There should never be any questions here. It’s not fair to the pet and it’s not fair to the roommate structure to arbitrarily assign jobs that can be ignored or forgotten.

6. Consider alternatives.

Pets are a colossal responsibility. This is especially true if you are a recent college graduate working a 40 hour week for the first time. If the pet bug is biting, consider the alternatives below:

Consider volunteering at your local humane society.
Try a lower maintenance pet (fish, rodents, hermit crabs).
Ask a friend with a pet to bring that pet over once in a while.

Volunteer to pet-sit or walk dogs on weekends.

Mad props for loving animals and wanting to give one a good home. Just be sure that you can provide and maintain a good home for that pet while still ensuring that you yourself have a good home and strong bond with your roommates.

The post Fido and Other Strangers: the Great Pet Debate appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

1. Cake- I Will Survive.

There’s something to be said for an Oldie revamped as a New(ish)ie. Not only is a classic the best way to start off any grueling activity (there’s a reason Richard Simmons always exercised to this song), but the title says it all. You will get through this.

2. Amy Winehouse- Valerie

This is a great tune to get the fluids pumping. It’s practically a sea shanty for a different generation. The upbeat tune brings a can-do attitude and makes the dish-washing/ silver polishing go that much faster. Also, it’s Amy Fucking Winehouse.

3. No More Mr. Nice Guy- Alice Cooper

By this point, you’re DONE fucking around. You’re ready to show this cleaning that you are FUCK FREE. What better way to get that point across (and feel a little empowered) than by belting out some Alice Cooper? No More Mr. Nice Guy, crumbs between the sofa cushions.

4. Fast Car- Tracy Chapman

Slow it down. Focus on what you’re doing. Come to terms that there’s never going to be a fast car. Cry softly to yourself while making sure DVDs are in the right cases and realize that you may be doing this for the rest of your life, but that’s okay.

5. Love is a Battlefield- Pat Benetar

Around this point, you need a pick me up (and something you know the words to) while you scrub crusty spots on the stove. If this song doesn’t fill your veins with a combination of reenergizing spirit, Surge, and bald eagle tears, the terrorists have won.

6. Sing- My Chemical Romance

Followed up by a power ballad because there will always be bitches (and they never use coasters or bring dishes back from their rooms).

7. Never Going Back Again- Fleetwood Mac
Sweeping and mopping calls for something bouncy that will remind you of your limits as a person and as the roommate who is NOT the one leaving his/her hair in the drain.

8. Kids’- MGMT

9. Outkast- Hey Ya

These two work (despite having different sounds) and will give you a new-found confidence that you are nearing the end of your labors. It’s like Hercules cleaning the Augean stables cleaning out this fridge. Wait. We went to this restaurant this spaghetti is from the day after Halloween. It’s March.

10. Carousel- Iron and Wine
Wait, we’re no where near done.

11. Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You- Led Zeppelin

Tell the world my story.
12. Haiti- Arcade Fire
This song sounds like cool water (just don’t listen to the words, even though they’re excellent). You are almost done with this shit.

13. Dog Days are Over- Florence and the Machine

Holy shit. We’re finished. Let’s make dinner using those pans you just wasted and put away.

The post Whistle While You Work: The Ultimate Playlist of Apartment-Cleaning Songs appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

1. Know when it’s your business.

Remember that adults are entitled to a private life. Does your roommate enjoy company of the overnight variety? Great. S/he is a grown person who is entitled to enjoy such things. Unless there is a non-stop string of people floating in and out of your apartment and it is interfering with your daily life/ safety, there’s no need for any sort of confrontation. Your roommate isn’t doing anything wrong. Don’t feel the need to pry into his/her personal life unless your relationship would allow for it. If your roommate wants to open up about it, s/he will.

2. Know when you’ve made it your roommate’s business.

Having an overnight guest? Have a boy/girlfriend who you can’t stand to be away from? Great. Nothing wrong with it. Can’t stand someone hovering over you asking you a thousand questions about any person who spends the night in your room? You are not alone. However, always make sure that your company remembers at all times that s/he is a guest and needs to act as such. You are inviting disdain and intrusive questions when your company starts doing things like: hogging the bathroom in the morning when other people (who pay rent) need to get to work, basically live in the apartment rent-free and consume utilities without contributing, uses common space/ makes him/herself at home to the point that your roommates can’t use public areas.

3. Keep the PDA to a minimum.

Be aware of your noise level. It is rude as hell to sit in the living room making out and effectively preventing anyone from leaving his/her room for fear of having to watch people suck face. Similarly, if your love noises are keeping people up, lower the volume. It’s an awkward conversation for you to force your roommate to have. Know how loud things are and safe the PDA for private spaces.

4. Don’t slut shame your roommate.

Adults are entitled to a sex life. No questions asked. It is not your business what two (or more) adults do in the privacy of their bedrooms. Unwelcome comments about your roommate’s private life is aggressive and invites conflict. If, say, your roommate consistently comes home blackout drunk with a different person every night and can’t seem to remember anything the next morning, then it may be time for a heart-to- heart. However, if no one is in danger and your day-to-day life isn’t interrupted, butt- out.

5. Recognize that your roommates may not always want your S.O. around 24/7.

Guests and fish, y’all. Sometimes roommates want private time where they don’t feel that they have to entertain or put up a front for people visiting their space. If your S.O. is over every night and you both sit in the living room or kitchen non-stop, don’t get angry if your roommates ask you to occasionally move the party somewhere else. You may be slightly inconsiderate. If your roommates are planning a guy’s night/ gal’s night out (just for roommates), they might get annoyed if you decide last minute to bring Pookie with you. Know that sometimes your friends just want to hang out with you, not you as a couple.

6. Don’t be too demanding of your roommate’s time.

Roommate dinners, movie nights, and gossip sessions are a gift from the extroverted Gods if you’re into them (just watch “The Golden Girls”). However, recognize that paying rent is not a social contract that automatically comes with quotas for spending time together. If your roommate wants to spend more time with his/her S.O. than with you, you may have to accept that. Be supportive and don’t be too demanding. No one likes a nag.

The post Love and Other Drugs, Or: “How Not to be the Worst” appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

Let’s face it: be it mice, bugs, or poltergeists, no one likes unwelcome visitors in their home. The idea of roaches, spiders, or ants is a big NOPE. While some people invite vermin in by living in filth, a lot of times it is virtually impossible to keep ALL pests out of your space (particularly if you live in an old building, in the forest, or in a big city with neighbors who you can’t monitor about taking out the trash. We’ve compiled a list below of easy ways of a) making sure unwanted houseguests don’t find their way in, and b) how to show them the door if they do.

1. Keep the space clean.

YOU DON’T SAY! Yes, it seems obvious. However, there are a lot of places that people don’t think to clean that bugs just LOVE.

Primarily, and most obviously, make sure the counters are clean and dry goods are kept in SEALED containers. Bust out the mason jars and the Tupperware. They keep the vermin out. Clean counters with cleaner (or vinegar if you don’t like the harsh stuff) and make sure food particles don’t linger. Don’t leave used dishes in your room and try to avoid eating in bed. Crummies are hard to get rid of and you can’t always find them later.

Secondly, get rid of standing water. All animals need it to live and will flock towards it. Make sure your faucets don’t drip and don’t leave the sinks half-full of water and soaking dishes. It’s an oasis to parched roaches everywhere.

Thirdly, make sure there are no clogs in your sink. Most people wouldn’t think about this, but just imagine the repulsive smorgasbord that waits for those brave little fuckers willing to crawl down the drain to find it. Google some different formulas for a drain de-clogger. Some people swear by baking soda and vinegar. Some use dish soap and boiling water. Some just splurge on the Draino. Just make sure the pipes are all clear.

Finally, wash out everything that goes into the garbage. Juice bottles, jars, pudding cups. Make sure that it’s clean before it goes into the trash. Additionally, invest in a trashcan with a lid and make sure garbage is taken out regularly.

Imagine the worst:
You walk into your kitchen and see a roach. You are taking a shower and see something moving next to the door with a tail. You are sleeping and don’t notice the army of spiders inching down from the ceiling, just waiting to crawl all over you while you innocently slumber.

In any of these scenarios, you have options.

1. Nuke the house from orbit. Probably the best option. It ensures that the vermin will never live the fight another day.
2. Fix the problem yourself.
3. Call in the professionals.

First of all, know your limits.
There are some pests that you should always leave to professional exterminators.
Bedbugs, rats, snakes in the toilet? All three are best left to professionals.
Bedbugs are virtually impossible to get rid of on your own. These little bastards are the incarnation of evil and death and it takes deadly force to rid your space of them. Call the professionals and be prepared to crash some place else while they get rid of them.

Rats and mice are tricky. While rats can be quite dangerous, they are also usually more numerous than you realize. For everyone rodent you see, assume there are several more that you don’t. You can certainly use humane traps and peppermint to repel them. However, if you want them gone for good, invest in an exterminators who know how to get rid of them and follow the standard rules for keeping the house clean.

Snakes If you are living in a house with a lot of yard space, snakes can be a terrifying concept. It is well-acknowledged that, while most snakes are harmless, the idea of snakes is upsetting and for that they must be stopped. If you do not know if the snakes you are encountering are venomous, IMMEDIATELY call animal control. Do not tango with a snake you can’t identify. These guys and gals are most commonly attracted by mice and insects (a viable food source). Keep the vermin away, keep the snakes away.

Secondly, know the natural remedies.

An ounce of prevention is worth a lot of saved money. Try using herbs such as lavender, citronella, peppermint oil, rosemary and marigolds to keep vermin away. Most animals can’t stand the smell of these plants and will keep away automatically. If you want to be safe, spray your baseboards with peppermint oil and water. It won’t harm the animals but will make it clear that they aren’t wanted. Vinegar is also a natural method of getting rid of many insects. Use it as well (though consider the smell before dousing your apartment with it to kill one spider.

Finally, call the exterminator when the time is right.

If all else fails, call in the professionals. They are paid for a reason. You shouldn’t have to share your space with bugs or rodents. Many landlords will have exterminators visit buildings on a monthly basis. If the cost is on you, make sure you and your roommates decide how to divide the bill after you get a price quote.

Note: If using a humane trap (which we recommend), be aware that mice should be set lose at least a mile away from the building so that they cannot find their way home.

The post Who You Gonna Call?- Dealing With Bugs and Unwanted Pests. appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

No need to call in the experts. No need to worry that setting out some knick-knacks will make it look like the scenic designer from “The Golden Girls” had a field-day in your room (seriously, we ALL remember Blanche’s Chinese vase). A few simple tricks can transform your space into one that no longer looks like the kind of place someone with a fake ID would still be sleeping.

1. Arts and Crafts.
Having something to look at hanging from the walls. This doesn’t have to be terribly expensive. It can be magazine covers, pictures you print off from the internet, or cheap street art. If you want to splurge, it’s a nice feeling to own a pricier painting. The point is, make sure that it is something you like and want to look at every day. Blowing up pictures isn’t too much money (we’ll cover what to do with them after) and can add a personal touch to your space. If you are artistically inclined, go out and buy a canvas and paint something yourself.

If you live in a small space, consider getting a mirror. Bigger mirrors placed around your apartment not only break up the monotony, but also make the space look bigger. If framed art isn’t your bag, go this route. It’s a deathless classic.
Invest in frames for whatever you hang up (unless it is a canvas or designed specifically not to be framed. Seriously. Vintage Led Zeppelin poster? Frame it. Frida Kahlo’s head on a deer? Black-and-white blow-up photo of the Brooklyn bridge? Collage of brochures you got while hiking the AT during that semester off? Pictures of Suki Waterhouse standing next to Bradley Cooper with your face crudely glued over hers (because we all can dream)? If you like it then you’d better put a frame on it. Frames make the space look more professional, tidier, and instantly puts your apartment in the adult category.

Get creative with this. Splurge on some shadow boxes at Michael’s. Go to the dollar stores/ Goodwills and see if you can find something in a frame that suits your fancy. Your art will thank you and you will feel classiness radiating off of your walls without busting out the big bucks for an original Manet.

2. Go green.

No, this doesn’t mean that cashed bowls and hookahs are going to make your place scream “working adult.” It means that investing in some plants (or at least imitation plants) that will give your space a fuller, more organic feeling. By no means should you feel pressured to keep a bunch of plants alive if you know you that it’s going to be a struggle. A low-stress potted plant in the corner that needs watering every other week or even a fake plant in a nice pot or vase will give your space a little bit of life. I’ve seen this pulled off effectively from a small tree growing in the living room corner to a glass jar filled with fake green leaves and dried cotton bowls. Get creative and bring your space to a new maturity level with a few plants.

3. Pay Close Attention to the Public Spaces.

Living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are the most likely places your guests will see. Make sure that these spaces look neat, free of clutter, and don’t have the “college common room vibe.”

Living room must haves:
A rug (seriously).

A coffee table/chest (make sure that it’s color matches the wood/metal used in your other furniture) with some accessories (books, magazines, or candles), and MAKE SURE YOU HAVE COASTERS.
A good sofa. Your futon was a great friend. However, it has served its purpose and now needs to move on to a bedroom (a great place for overnight guests that also provides extra seating in the bedroom or to a donation center). A solid-colored couch (in a safe, neutral color) can be brought to life with a blanket and some loud pillows if you want to bring some color into your space.
Drapes: Having curtains brings the room together. Your neighbors will also thank you that they can’t look in through your windows anymore (see also: the naked man from “Friends”).
Light: The kind of lamp is up to you. Just make sure that everyone is able to see and that the lamps match with the decor.

Kitchens must have:

A set of dishes. Please, for the love of God, leave the souvenir cups and mismatched drinking glasses in the past. If you like something bigger, go with a larger tumbler or some mason jars. Otherwise, a set of simple glasses won’t break the bank. This doesn’t need to be the “Christmas and Thanksgiving only” China. Simple dish sets in whatever color you like will immediately make your kitchen look like something besides ramen is being cooked in it. Any red solo cups should be eliminated on sight.
A real table. This is one place where you can go second-hand if you need to. Just don’t ask people to take a seat at a card table with folding chairs unless it’s your poker night.
A place to store the booze. Bravo if you have a liquor cabinet/ table. If not, find a shelf or a cubby where you can store those unopened bottles of wine/ liquor. This doesn’t need to get fancy. Just make sure that the liquor and liquor accessories have a home.
NOTE: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD EMPTY BOTTLES BE USED AS DECORATION.
This is not the elephant graveyard. If you can’t part with the bottle, peel the label off, paint it, and use it as a vase if you must. Ideally, though, just toss it out with the other recyclables.
Separate garbage bins for recycling. These can be baskets, buckets, or whatever other kind of container you use for the garbage. It’s responsible, good for the environment, and saves you all those trips to the garbage bin.

Bathroom:

Good towels. Solid colors are the way to go. Make sure you get a full set that includes both body and hand towels in the same color.
Rugs: Your feet will feel better on them in the morning and no one will sue you because they slipped stepping out of the shower.
A cloth shower curtain. There is a shower liner and a shower curtain. Adults must learn the difference.
*Note: Make sure that these all match in color and make sure that the color goes with the paint on the bathroom walls.

As always, the most important thing is for YOU to feel happy and comfortable in your space. Do what feels right. It’s hard to go wrong when you feel at home.

Have any ideas of your own? Post them below.

The post Adults Only: Adding Maturity to Your Home Decor appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

Ad reads: Responsible and neat young professional seeks roommate to share a charming Williamsburg flat with in-unit laundry, no broker’s fee, and all one block from a combination Whole Foods/subway stop.*

Reality: Oh. Your ad didn’t mention your fascination with Anime Incest movies and your nightly death-metal band practices in the living-room. 

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. While the process of finding a place to live is stressful and the temptation of latching on to the first place and roommate that you can “live with” is great, you do not have to settle. Remember: you want to “live in a place,” not “live with a place.” Below are some handy tips to consider when searching for your next roommate. 

1. Don’t rely on a Siren’s Song. Find out if you are compatible people. 
Great suggestion. Should I also make sure to breathe air and drink water?

 Yes, it seems obvious. But it is an all-too frequent story where someone stumbles upon the perfect place at the perfect price but quickly learns that it’s not the perfect person…after signing a year-long lease. It is important to do your homework beforehand. 

 Start with an informal chat online. The internet is a blessing in this regard. Engage in some smalltalk with him/her about their job, the place, what they look for in a roommate, etc. If this works out, set up a time to meet IN A VERY PUBLIC PLACE to have a longer chat and look over the possibilities of living together. Think coffee shops and cafes, not at a remote location in the woods by a shallow (and freshly dug) grave. If the chat goes well and you have a good feeling, start talking about the possibility of moving in together. This is the time to ask those essential questions about cleanliness, company, and comments/concerns. 

Do NOT move in with unanswered questions about your compatibility as roommates. No one likes a surprise when it comes to discovering your roommate likes walking around nude or is a very passionate member of an underground Neo-Nazi movement. Ask the tough questions. It’ll always pay off. 

2. Know when to hold em and know when to fold em. Identify your deal-breakers early. 

Can’t stand a smoker? Like to throw-down on 420?  Don’t love animals but could live with the right beagle? List out what’s a deal-breaker before speaking to a person. Know what is going to put you off and save yourself a headache later. Have a set list of non- negotiable “musts”  about cleanliness, privacy, sleeping hours, dietary restrictions, etc. It’s better to make it clear before going in that pets are a no-no rather than revealing it only after Patches used your Macbook as a toilet. 

3. Know the people to avoid and check their references to be sure.

There are red-alerts when looking for roommates. The following are just a few to run (don’t walk) away from when it comes to living together. 

The “Eve Harrington”

“Well, my last roommate said horrible things about me because she was unstable.

“My last roommate and I didn’t get a long because he didn’t like my girlfriend and made a big deal any time she came over.”

“My last roommate just didn’t like me for some reason. He was always out to get me.”

This roommate has lots of stories about why previous situations didn’t work out and it never seems to be his/her fault (hint: it often times is). ALWAYS make sure to ask a potential roommate about their previous roommate and try your best to contact that roommate and hear things from his/her perspective. Maybe the previous roommate was a hot-water-using, late-rent paying sociopath. Maybe.

The “Closeted Bigot”

Laws prohibit housing discrimination (doesn’t mean it doesn’t still happen). Know going in to the process that people who post discriminatory ads are breaking the law. However, many people will feel more comfortable telling you in person the kind of people they won’t rent to if they think you don’t fit that demographic. For example, while searching for an apartment, a prospective roommate told me that he didn’t rent to “blacks or Mexicans so there was no need to worry about [your] things getting stolen” 

Needless to say, that potential roommate quickly went to a “no-way-in hell” ex-potential roommate. 

If this person is bigoted enough to refuse renting to entire groups of people based off of some idiotic prejudice, you are better off walking away. 

The Busybody 

There are appropriate and inappropriate questions to ask during a roommate interview. Have a clear line about what’s appropriate and what is not. Your potential roommate has no business asking a total stranger about religious or political views. You have a right to privacy and your own life. If you feel this person is crossing a line with his/her questions, avoid him/her and save yourself a year with an intrusive roommate. 

The Plain Old Psychopath 

We aren’t talking about Norman Bates here. However, it is important to recognize right away if there’s a chance that your roommate will try to steal locks of your hair while you sleep. Bad vibes? Irrational statements? Sudden mood swings? Inability to make eye contact? All of these are red flags. 

The World’s Smallest Violin Player

Emphasis on player.

If s/he starts in about not being able to split first month’s rent or deposits until after they’re due (insinuating that you will be the proud owner of that financial burden), leave immediately. Odds are, this person is searching for an all-day sucker, not a roommate. 


4. Write (and read) the “fine print.”

Draft and sign a roommate agreement BEFORE moving in. Make sure you BOTH have included stipulations and conditions that will ensure you’re both happy. Furthermore, making sure that everyone has agreed to the rules establishes confidence in the health and happiness of your living environment and your relationship with your roommate. It may be tedious, but this document is worth its weight in gold.

If you need a sample or template, click on the link below. 

Finally….

5. Go into it with a good attitude and a willingness to meet new people. 

While there is no “fool-proof” solution to finding a great roommate, common sense is always your first line of defense. Go with your instincts and use your brain. If something seems like an issue in the beginning, odds are it won’t go away. Even if you have a great feeling about a roommate and don’t see anything coming between you, it always helps to establish everything in the beginning so that there are no surprises later. 


Above all, just remember the wonderful feeling that comes from finding a great match and coming home each day knowing that you are happy and compatible with the person with whom you share a home.

Happy Hunting!

-RoomieHasIt.com

The post Hay in a Needle Stack: Everything you wanted to know (and maybe already do) about searching for the perfect roommate. appeared first on RoomieHasIt.com.

Really? A roommate agreement? We’re living together, not starting a country.

However, all it takes is one drunk guy from your roommate’s rager passing out on your bedroom floor to make you reconsider the need for rules and boundaries in your living space. As we’ve said countless times, your comfort, safety and happiness are the most important parts of finding a place to live. You and your roommate should know at all times what is and is not acceptable behavior and you both have the right to define it.

True, some may say that contracts and agreements are too “formal” for them and feel fussy or excessive. However, it never hurts to have something on paper. By establishing a strong culture of cooperation, you and your roommate(s) are laying the framework to ensure that there is never any confusion or disagreements that could spiral out of control and cause much bigger conflicts. Think if the US didn’t have a Bill of Rights. Anarchy. That is potentially what awaits you if you neglect this vital step in the moving-in process.

In short, take the time and fill out the document. Make sure you are using serious rules and are voicing all of your boundaries and needs right off the bat.

Attached is a sample roommate agreement. If this one doesn’t suit your fancy, many colleges and universities also offer templates for roommate contracts. Conversely, you could spend an afternoon of roomie bonding drafting your own. However you decide to create one, make sure that a roommate agreement is in place (in writing) by day one.

Sample Roommate Agreement PDF

-Roomie Has It Staff

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