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    What to Include in a Roommate Agreement

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    roommate rules canada

    If you’re planning on moving in with a roommate, having a written roommate agreement is a good way to ensure that tensions don’t rise. Read our article for a list of what to include.

    Moving into a new place with a roommate is one of the most exciting parts of moving out on your own for the first time. But before you get too ahead of yourself, it’s important to sit down and cover some ground rules with your potential roomie. That’s where having a roommate agreement laid out comes in handy. This document ensures that both of you are on the same page about expectations, bills, and other important details. In this article, we’ll be going through a list of some things to include in your roommate rules.

    Related Read: How to Rent Your First Apartment in Canada

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    A List of Each Person’s Responsibilities Around the House

    Living with a partner or other housemates can be great, but it also requires that you and your roommates agree on the house rules and roommate etiquette. It’s a good idea to make sure everyone is doing their part in maintaining the household, not just by cleaning up their own messes, but by making sure that there’s a cleaning schedule for shared spaces as well. It’s helpful to sit down and divide the list of chores among everyone so that nobody is left doing all of the work themselves. Make sure to discuss expectations and come to an agreement on how often each responsibility should be completed. This way you can maintain a harmonious living environment while still taking care of what needs to be done.

    Related Read: How Much Should I Be Spending on Rent?

    How to Handle Bills and Expenses

    It’s best to create a plan before you move in together on how everything will be handled. Start by deciding who is responsible for each bill and when they need to be paid. You should also plan out which roommates are responsible for paying for groceries, tenant insurance, electric bills, and other household costs. Keep in mind that these totals can be different month-to month, so you may need to use an app or spreadsheet to input who paid for what. With clear communication and a little bit of structure, living with roommates can be financially manageable and stress free!

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    What to Do if Someone Wants to Move Out

    If one of your roommates is considering moving out, it can be a difficult situation to navigate. It’s important to treat the situation with care, understanding, and respect. Take time to listen to their reasons for wanting to move and provide any assistance that you can — especially if they’re leaving due to financial or personal struggles. If possible, help them find a good new living arrangement. This could include connecting them with real estate agents for rental apartments or reaching out on social media for potential replacement roommates.

    Related Read: Condo vs. Apartment: What’s the Difference?

    How to Deal With Disagreements

    Navigating disagreements with roommates can be one of the biggest challenges of living together. The best way to treat a disagreement is to talk it through it with your roommate. Try having an open and calm conversation about the issue — express why you feel a certain way and do your best to listen objectively to their point of view. Make sure to focus on the current problem instead of bringing up past issues, as this will make it more difficult for you both to reach a compromise or resolution. Although it will take some effort, by communicating with respect, you and your roommate can find common ground so that everyone leaves feeling heard and understood.

    Ground Rules Regarding Guests and Overnight Visitors

    Setting ground rules with your roommates regarding guests and overnight visitors is important for everyone to feel comfortable and respected. It’s best to sit down and discuss expectations ahead of time before any issues arise. For example, consider laying out minimum notice for extra visitors or stipulating how much time can be spent in common areas when there are guests. Establishing clear parameters can help prevent unnecessary tension between roommates and avoid disappointment from unmet expectations.

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    A Schedule Regarding Cleaning and Doing Laundry

    Living with a roommate can often feel like an intimidating endeavour, so creating some kind of schedule around cleaning and other household chores is essential for keeping the environment peaceful and comfortable. To make things go a bit smoother, setting up a rotating schedule for cleaning the common space or taking out the trash can really help keep everyone on the same page. As for tackling the dreaded laundry situation, organizing it by alternating back-and-forth on designated days can mean fewer headaches all around.

    APOLLO Has You Covered

    APOLLO Insurance is here to make things even easier, with an effortless solution to making sure you and your roommates’ possessions are protected. Having the proper insurance coverage in place can keep you from having to pay full price to replace your items in the event of a theft or covered disaster. It can also pay for lodging and food if your place becomes uninhabitable.It takes less than a minute to get a free quote on our website, and we’ll send the policy documents directly to your inbox.

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    Originally published February 6, 2023, updated September 5, 2023

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