Renting with roommates: Guide to finding and living with roommates in student housing

Navigating student housing can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially when it comes to finding and living with roommates. Renting with roommates in off-campus student housing offers a unique opportunity to make new friends, share living expenses, and create lasting memories. However, it also requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a harmonious living environment. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps of finding the right roommates, setting expectations, and maintaining a positive living experience in student housing. Whether you're a first-time renter or looking to improve your current living situation, this guide will provide you with valuable tips and insights to make the most of your shared living experience.

Finding potential roommates

As a student, your social circles can be a great starting point for finding potential roommates. Reach out to friends or classmates interested in sharing a rental. Not only will you already know them, but living with people you get along with can make the experience much smoother.

If you don't have any suitable friends or acquaintances, don't worry – there are plenty of other options. Many universities have off-campus housing offices that maintain listings of students looking for roommates. You can also join Facebook groups for your university or local area, where people frequently post about their housing needs.

Additionally, apps like Roomster, Roomi, and SpareRoom are dedicated platforms for matching potential roommates based on compatibility factors like budgets, lifestyles, and preferences. These apps allow you to browse detailed profiles of prospective roommates and communicate with them directly.

No matter where you find potential roommates, meeting them in person (if possible) and asking the right questions to ensure you're a good fit for living together is crucial.

In the next section, we'll cover some key questions to ask.

Questions to ask potential roommates

Finding the right roommate is crucial for a harmonious living situation. Before committing to living with someone, asking the right questions to gauge compatibility is essential. Here are some key areas to cover: 

Lifestyle

• What are your typical sleep/wake hours?
• Do you prefer a quiet or more social environment?
• How often do you plan to have guests over?
• Are you comfortable with guests staying overnight?

Cleanliness

• What are your cleanliness standards?
• How often do you clean common areas?
• Are you comfortable with shared chore duties?
• Do you have any specific cleaning habits or preferences?

Guests

• How do you feel about having guests over?
• Are you comfortable with guests using shared spaces?
• What are your expectations for guest etiquette?

Noise

• What is your tolerance for noise levels?
• Do you prefer quiet study time or are you comfortable with background noise?
• Are there any specific noise concerns, such as music or TV volume?

Study Habits

• What are your typical study hours?
• Do you prefer complete silence or background noise while studying?
• Are you comfortable with shared study spaces or do you prefer privacy?

Sharing Items

• What items are you willing to share (e.g., kitchen appliances, furniture, TV)?
• Are there any personal items you prefer not to share?
• How do you feel about sharing food and groceries?

Open communication and setting clear expectations from the start can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. Feel free to ask follow-up questions or clarify any concerns to ensure a compatible living situation.

Setting expectations with a roommate contract

Creating a roommate contract is crucial for setting clear expectations and avoiding conflicts down the line. This legally binding document outlines the responsibilities and rights of each roommate. Here are some key elements to include:

Rules on Chores

Decide how chores like cleaning common areas, taking out the trash, and doing dishes will be divided. Rotate weekly, assign specific tasks, or agree on hiring a cleaning service and splitting the cost.

Guests

Establish guest policies, such as the maximum night stay allowed, quiet hours for guests, and whether roommates need advance notice for overnight visitors.

Quiet Hours

Agree on designated quiet hours, especially for students with differing class/sleep schedules. Identify areas of the home that should remain quiet zones.

Shared Items

Determine what items/supplies are shared (e.g., toilet paper, cleaning products) and how costs will be divided. Also, discuss shared spaces like living rooms.

Rent/Bill Payments

Clarify the rent amount owed by each roommate, due dates, and acceptable payment methods. Decide how to split utilities and other shared household expenses.

Your contract should be thorough yet flexible. Review it periodically and amend it as living situations change. A clear roommate contract prevents misunderstandings and conflict.

Finding student apartments near campus

When searching for student apartments, start by checking listings offered through your university's housing office or website. Many colleges have databases of off-campus housing options specifically geared toward students. These listings are often vetted and may offer resources for finding potential roommates.

Apartment listing sites, including the vast number of apartment listings on bwalk.com, allow you to search for rentals in your desired area and filter for student-friendly options. Look for listings that are located near campus. Facebook groups for your university can also be a great resource, as students often post about available rooms or apartments.

Don't overlook the old-fashioned approach of driving around neighbourhoods near campus and looking for "For Rent" signs, you can uncover some hidden gem rentals or spot a unit to rent before someone beats you to it. Just be cautious about rental scams and never send money before viewing a place in person.

When you find a few promising options, schedule viewings during the day to get a sense of the neighbourhood. Pay attention to things like parking availability, safety, and proximity to campus resources like libraries, gyms, and grocery stores. Having roommates can help split costs on a nicer place closer to campus.

Budgeting for rent and shared expenses

One of the primary advantages of renting with roommates is the ability to split costs and make living more affordable. However, it's essential to have a clear understanding of expenses and a fair system for dividing them. Here are some key considerations for budgeting and sharing expenses:

Rent Splitting: Typically, rent is the most significant shared expense. It's common to split rent equally among roommates, but you may also consider factors like bedroom size or amenities when determining each person's share. Discuss and agree on the rent split upfront.

Utilities: Costs like electricity, gas, water, and internet should also be shared. Decide whether to split these evenly or proportionally based on usage. Apps or services like Splitwise can help track and manage shared utility bills.

Tip: Many Boardwalk properties have some of the utility costs included in the price of rent (making it that much easier to split with roommates).

Groceries: If you plan to share food and grocery costs, establish a system for purchasing, tracking expenses, and dividing costs fairly. Consider creating a shared grocery fund or taking turns buying shared items.

Household Items: Determine how to handle shared household items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and other essentials. You could split these costs evenly, take turns buying them, or assign specific items to different roommates.

Additional Expenses: Don't forget to budget for other potential shared costs, such as streaming service subscriptions, furniture, or appliances for common areas.

By openly discussing and agreeing on a system for sharing expenses, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure a fair distribution of costs among roommates. Regular check-ins and adjustments may be necessary as situations change.

Setting house rules and chore division

As a group of student roommates, it's crucial to establish clear house rules and a fair system for dividing chores. This not only helps maintain a clean and organized living space but also prevents potential conflicts down the line.

Cleaning Schedule

One of the most important aspects of living with student roommates is maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. Develop a cleaning schedule that assigns specific tasks to each roommate on a rotating basis. This could include tasks such as vacuuming common areas, cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, and washing dishes. Consider using a shared calendar or chore chart to keep track of responsibilities.

Quiet Hours

Respect for each other's study and sleep schedules is essential in a student living environment. Establish quiet hours during which noise levels should be kept to a minimum. This could be from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays, for example. During these times, student roommates should avoid loud music, television, or gatherings that could disturb others.

Visitor Policies

Discuss and agree upon visitor policies to ensure everyone's comfort and privacy. This could include limiting the frequency and duration of overnight guests, as well as establishing guidelines for common areas when visitors are present. It's also a good idea to have a system in place for notifying roommates about potential visitors.

Shared Groceries

Decide whether you want to share certain groceries or keep them separate. If sharing, establish a system for contributing to the cost and restocking shared items. This could involve taking turns buying shared groceries or splitting the cost evenly. Clearly label personal items to avoid confusion.

By setting clear house rules and dividing chores fairly, you can create a harmonious living environment that promotes respect, cleanliness, and a sense of shared responsibility among student roommates.

Handling Roommate Conflicts

Sharing living spaces with roommates inevitably leads to conflicts and disagreements. Effective communication and a willingness to compromise are essential for resolving issues before they escalate. Establish open lines of communication from the start and address concerns promptly in a respectful manner.

If a dispute arises, try to discuss it calmly with your roommate first. Listen to their perspective and be willing to find a middle ground. Suggest taking a break if emotions are running high and revisiting the conversation later. Mediating disputes through honest and empathetic dialogue can often resolve minor issues.

For more serious conflicts that cannot be resolved between roommates, consider involving an impartial third party as a mediator. A resident advisor, counselor, or off-campus housing office may be able to provide guidance and facilitate a resolution. As a last resort, you may need to involve your landlord, especially if the conflict violates the terms of your lease agreement.

In some cases, a roommate may need to be removed from the living situation if they consistently violate house rules, damage property, or create an unsafe environment. Review your options with your landlord, and document any incidents thoroughly. Involving authorities may be necessary for cases of illegal activities, harassment, or threats.

Protecting Your Security Deposit

Protecting your security deposit when renting with roommates is crucial to avoid disputes and ensure you get your full deposit back upon move-out. Here are some tips to safeguard your security deposit:

Apartment Inspection

Before moving in, conduct a thorough inspection of the apartment with your roommates and the landlord. Document any existing damages, scratches, or wear-and-tear in writing and take timestamped photos or videos. This documentation will serve as evidence of the apartment's condition at move-in, preventing you from being held responsible for pre-existing issues.

Damage Documentation

Throughout your tenancy, document any damages caused by you or your roommates. Take photos or videos immediately after an incident occurs, and keep a record of the circumstances surrounding the damage. This evidence will help determine responsibility and ensure fair distribution of repair costs.

Splitting Costs at Move-Out

As your lease nears its end, discuss with your roommates how to handle any necessary repairs or cleaning costs. Decide on a fair way to split these expenses based on individual responsibility for damages. If certain areas were solely used by one roommate, they may be responsible for the associated costs.

Communicate openly with your roommates and landlord throughout the move-out process. Address any concerns promptly and maintain documentation of all correspondence. By being proactive and responsible, you can increase your chances of getting your full security deposit back.

Moving out and finding new roommates

As your living situation changes or your lease nears its end, you may find yourself needing to move out and find new roommates. This process requires proper planning and communication to ensure a smooth transition.

Proper Notice

Most leases require tenants to provide a specific notice period, typically 30-60 days, before moving out. Review your lease agreement and provide written notice to your landlord and roommates within the designated timeframe. Failure to give proper notice could result in penalties or the loss of your security deposit.

Replacing a Roommate

If one roommate needs to move out while others plan to stay, you'll need to find a suitable replacement. Advertise the available room on student housing websites, social media groups, or bulletin boards. Thoroughly screen potential candidates by conducting interviews and background checks. Once you've found a suitable replacement, have them apply with the landlord and sign a new lease or roommate agreement.

Terminating Lease Agreements

If the entire group is moving out, you'll need to properly terminate the lease agreement. Provide written notice to your landlord within the required timeframe, typically 30-60 days before the lease ends. Schedule a walk-through inspection with your landlord to assess any potential damages or cleaning fees that may be deducted from your security deposit.

During the moving-out process, communicate openly with your roommates to ensure everyone is on the same page. Divide responsibilities for cleaning, packing, and returning keys or access cards. If any disputes arise, refer to your roommate agreement or seek mediation to resolve the issues amicably.

Find student housing for you and your roommates!

If you’re looking for student housing options, check out Boardwalk’s different blog posts which provide student housing tips, and our guide to off-campus living for students (that includes apartment listings near popular Canadian Universities.) Boardwalk provides off-campus student housing across Canada, search our apartments for rent on bwalk.com.