Menu
Shouldering the cost of rent is tough to do on your own. Why not cut the bill in half by sharing your apartment with a roommate?
Like any relationship in your life, be it with a friend, family member, or partner, communication is essential. When you share a space with someone, unresolved issues can make your home an uncomfortable place to be.
After first moving in, you might go through the honeymoon phase. You’re both so excited to be in a new space that it seems like nothing can go wrong! But after a few months, you start to notice the snags. Is one of you always doing the dishes? Are the bills divided evenly between you?
Before signing a lease together, have a frank discussion about what you want your living arrangement to look like. Here are a few talking points to bring up:
Even though it can be difficult to talk about money, making assumptions can end up putting both of you in an uncomfortable position.
Do you want to split the rent 50/50? What about other bills, like water, electricity, and the internet? Money can be a huge source of tension in any relationship, but especially with a roommate. It’s best to have everything on the table.
In an apartment, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up sharing a few items; things like toilet paper, paper towels, and condiments. However, it’s important to set your boundaries. If there are items you don’t want to share, let your roommate know!
For most of us, it’s a bit uncomfortable to tell others what annoys us. But if a sink full of dirty dishes makes you boil with rage, you’ll want to be upfront about it before you share a kitchen.
In turn, try to be mindful of what your roommate asks of you. A reciprocal relationship of mutual respect will make your apartment a more comfortable place for the two of you.
Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to cleanliness standards. Maybe you don’t mind when the floors get a bit dirty or the counters are slightly messy, but your roommate might.
To keep things fair, try to rotate between who does what chores. Talk about both your preferences so you can agree on a cleaning schedule that you’re both happy with.
You and your roommate live two different lives—you work different jobs, sleep at different times, and have different hobbies. But if your roommate is a night owl, and you have to get up for work at 6 AM, you’ll want to communicate about being quiet during sleep times.
How comfortable are either of you with guests staying over? You might be caught off guard if you come home to find a stranger in the apartment.
To prevent any discomfort, be sure to let your roommate know when you’re having company over. Ask them to do the same! If one person has their partner over all the time, it may be time to discuss sharing the bills.
Relationships take work; the one you have with your roommate is no different. When you’re sharing an apartment, it’s important to be mindful of each other’s space, belongings, and preferences. Once you’ve found someone to live with, the next step is finding somewhere to rent an apartment in Winnipeg. At Globe Property Management, we’ve got you covered. Check out our website to browse hundreds of apartment listings near you.