Need a Roommate for Your Memphis Apartment?
Jun 23rd, 2007 by Memphis Apartments
There are two primary reasons you need a roommate. The most common reason is to share the rent costs. The second reason is that you just do not like living alone. Having a roommate can be a rewarding experience or it can be disastrous. Here are some tips for sharing your Memphis apartment with a roommate.
The first thing you will need to decide is if your lease allows for roommate situations. The second consideration is whether you want to share living space with someone you know or a stranger. A friend or family member as a roommate may seem the best choice. However, if you have never lived with the friend or family member before, you might end up getting on each other’s nerves before too long. It is easy to invade the other person’s space and privacy without intention.
Sometimes it is easier to room with a complete stranger. If you lived in a dorm room in college, this option may appeal to you. You already know how to identify separate space and honor another’s privacy. You know roommate etiquette.
The difference in this situation is that you are responsible for selecting your roommate. If you decide this option is better for you, make a list of the characteristics of the ideal roommate. The gender of your roommate may be important. You might want a nonsmoker who works second shift. Be sure to do a background check on prospective roommates. You can do this online or through your local police station.
Regardless of the choice you make as to friend or stranger, there are many issues you both need to agree upon. The first issue is rent. How much of the rent do you intend to charge your roommate? One-half? One-third? Do not forget utilities. Who will pay what? Make sure your roommate clearly understands when you expect their portion of the rent each month. What happens if your roommate pays the rent late?
What does the roommate get for her portion of the rent? Does she get full use of common areas? Know what you intend to offer your roommate. Once you agree, put it in writing. This will limit future squabbles.
Now that you have the issue of rent out of the way, you have to actually deal with the living situation. Set ground rules from the beginning. You both need to agree to the rules. The most important rules are about guests. Set rules that spell out who can have guests over and when the guests can visit. Agree on whether overnight guests are allowed in your Memphis apartment.
After you agree on rules, you are ready to begin living as roommates. The two main components of successful roommate situations are communication and respect. Regardless of who is leasing the Memphis apartment, as long as you communicate with one another, there should be no problems getting along. The minute one of you starts making decisions without telling the other, the arguing will start. It is difficult to return to peaceful living once trust has been broken. Open communication with one another is a must.
In addition, you must respect one another completely. Not only respect one another’s privacy, but also opinions. You do not have to agree with one another on everything, but there is no reason to have an argument over an opinion. If you think you might argue, choose to be silent instead. Harmonious living is more important in a roommate situation, friend or stranger, than sharing an opinion.
Picking the wrong roommate is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Following the tips above will limit frustration for you and your roommate. This goes a long way toward building a wonderful roommate experience in your Memphis apartment.