Roommate Rules: Understanding Cohabitation In JHC Units

Roommate Rules: Understanding Cohabitation In JHC Units (h1)

 

If you are a student or young professional, the idea of having a roommate or cohabiting with someone to cut and share the costs may be playing in your mind. But from some horror stories you’ve heard, you may be feeling a little bit skeptical. Well, worry not; we have compiled this article to give you a guide on how to be the best roommate and possibly source the best roommate so your living experience becomes a breeze. 

 

First, Find the Perfect Roomie 

 

Most people ideally choose their partners, family members or friends to be their roommates as they are people they know and are comfortable and familiar with. This is one of the safest ways to pick a roommate; it affords both of you the opportunity to explore the place and building you’ll be living in together, gives each of you a ‘partner in crime’ for all responsibilities, and all-round eases your tension. So try to go with someone you already know. 

 

However, in the case where you have to find your own roommate through social media or the internet at large, things may be a little bit different. You will be working off the impression you get from people, so the best way to start is with an advert or a recommendation post. Ask your list of followers or online friends if they know anyone that needs a place to stay in the area and building you are considering and give little details until you have a list of possible ‘candidates’. The reason for this is, you do not want to give out location specifics or how the flat is set up to avoid any stalkers, lurkers, and possibly criminals to your home as they will be familiar with your security system. So, be vague but not suspicious either. 

 

You will need to have interviews, or at least ‘meet up’ with these potential roommates to suss out the vibe between you and to give them full details on the flat and space. Try to have a list of up to 5 people. If you do not gel with any of those 5, pick another 5, but never interview everyone at once, you will never get to a decision. 

 

Roomies Rules Rule 

 

By now, you must have heard the word ‘boundaries’ over and over again, and that is because more and more people are being open and honest about their boundaries, and so should you. When you have a roommate, whether you know them well or not, you need to have a set of rules so that you do not cross each other's boundaries. Some rules to consider: 

 

1. Pet peeves and rules: It's crucial to establish the rules early on. Before signing a lease, sit down with your roommate and go over your expectations. Future misconceptions or issues may be avoided by making sure everyone is on the same page. The flat should always be kept tidy, noise should be kept to a minimum, and roommates should respect one another's possessions. Before you move in together, take some time to sit down and talk about your biggest pet peeves. It will make your life a lot simpler.
2. Sign a roomie agreement: There’s the lease, then there’s you and your roommate’s agreement. This agreement should house (see what we did there?) all the things you expect to happen in the duration of your time at the flat. So, all the house rules, expectations, and responsibilities will be on the agreement. 
3. Money talks: Have the chat with your roommate about how you will be paying for things. Also, ensure each of you holds one another accountable and reminds each other when an important bill is coming up. 
4. Fridge and pantry space: If you and roomie don’t eat the same things or don’t cook together, you may need to establish some kind of setup for the fridge and pantry, and let one another know what is off limits and what can be taken. Our tip? Have a space for your own things, then the ones you can share, put them in the space you both decided will house the shared stuff. 
5. Chores schedule for the win: You both need a clean and tidy space, meaning you will both need to keep it that way. If you do not fancy cleaning up, you and roomie can get a domestic worker to come and help with cleaning. 
6. Talk about guests: You will both need to decide how you will navigate having guests. How much is too much, and how will you and roomie ensure there is no massive traffic in your zen space? Talk about this and find a solid solution. 
7. Establish safety rules: You live together, so ensure you have each other’s family contacts in case of an emergency. Try to report to each other your whereabouts, and always ensure you let roomie know if you are out too late, so they don’t worry too much. Communication is key to being a great roommate. 

 

Final Words 

 

When it comes to living where you love, JHC is the expert. Offering you a range from bachelor to 1 and 2-bedroom flats to rent, you and roomies are guaranteed to enjoy your space. If you are wondering about the rules of living in a JHC building and what to expect when thinking of moving in with us, read our FAQs or contact one of our agents for more information.