If you are an only child or a person that has never shared a room with someone, the fact of being a roommate is something that you will need time to adjust to. However, this experience is the perfect learning opportunity to learn how to get along with people in situations where you just can’t leave and go home. It will prepare you for situations you will encounter in the work place and teach you valuable problem solving skills in how to get along with others. It will require you to exercise tact, cooperation and tolerance of the faults of others.

One thing that most roommates always do is choose the best bed or room when they are the first to arrive. The best way to start off on the right foot is to wait until your roommates arrive and then arrive at a mutual decision as to who sleeps where. This will show the others that you are willing to compromise. Even if there is one bed or room that everyone seems to want, you can flip a coin to see who gets it first and then make arrangements to switch after a period of time.

You should never to copy your roommate or try to go to the same places as your roommate. This is a sure sign that you lack the self-confidence to make your own decisions. Some people start to feel crowded when their roommate always wants to tag along with them. At the same time, if you do have a roommate that wants to go wherever you go and do the same things as you, you shouldn be rude and rebuff them. By gently introducing this person to new experiences and new friends you will be able to choose your own direction and give your roommate the self-confidence that he/she needs.

Before you take or use anything belonging to your roommate, you must always ask permission. Even if you don’t do this at home with your siblings, it is common courtesy to ask permission when you want to use something that belongs to others.

Having roommates has its pros and cons. While the presence of a roommate might impinge upon your privacy, it adds an element of safety. Rent costs are halved and one gets the advantage of companionship. However one needs to be very careful while choosing a roommate. A roommate with the wrong kind of friends and habits can wreak havoc on your life. So it is always advisable to look for references or, if possible, share your apartment with someone you already know.

It doesn’t always happen that you find your ideal roommate in your place of work/study. As a supply for this demand, several Web sites have sprung up where people looking for roommates and those looking for homes to share, can register. Each site gives you certain criteria which narrow down the search from its database. This will help you find a roommate pretty fast. The only drawback in this system is that it is hard to verify credentials. In that case one needs to trust one’s gut instincts and pay close attention to potential roommates. Evaluate them objectively and then go in for a mutual arrangement. Several Web sites dealing with real estate also have roommate registering sections. One can search through such databases and arrange to meet the potential roommates in person and then make a decision.

If you have rented an apartment, pay close attention to what your contract states. At times, the number of residents allowed in an apartment is specified. It is also essential to iron out how household expenses will be shared. An apartment needs maintenance too. So be sure to divide up the housekeeping duties also. Several happy roommate relationships have been known to break down over issues like expenses and housekeeping. Planning all of these things in advance can help to make sure these problems do not happen.

First, it’s your roommate’s gender. Some people are quite comfortable with sharing their accommodation with either gender, but you shouldn’t be too quick to accept anyone. Think about how someone from the opposite gender could affect your current household, in terms of existing roommates, varied lifestyles, personalities, certain gender-oriented characteristics etc. The age of your roommate will be another point of consideration. People of different ages hold different viewpoints, interests and living patterns.

Specify whether your household is smoking-friendly or non-smoking. You don’t want any arguments after all the living arrangements are made. Drinking habits should also be discussed prior to accepting anyone as a roommate, because if the grocery expenses are shared, either party may not be happy about spending money on alcohol.

Personalities influence a group’s dynamics and interaction pattern. If you have several roommates and some of them are quiet and laid-back while the others are loud and outgoing, you will definitely notice some friction between the two types. Ensure you make a thorough selection by understanding each person’s personality. Hobbies and interests are equally important in this equation, because if tastes in entertainment, food and activities differ considerably among the roommates, conflicts are quite likely to occur.

Be clear about the roommate’s expected length of stay. Some rentals are provided on an annual basis, while others are just monthly or weekly. Clarifying such issues and binding the agreement on paper are essential if you are to have a good relationship with your roommates. Additionally, you should look for a roommate who has a similar entertaining style to you. If you prefer a quiet household and your roommate constantly entertains people, it will not work out very well.