Updated with current information for 2022
Live with roommates so you have live-in friends? Or rent alone so you can spend the afternoon on the couch in your underwear? These are important considerations to make when planning your housing decisions. But it’s more than just a fashion choice, or lack thereof. And it’s not just a question of who’s going to stock the fridge with drinks. Ultimately, your choice in roommates should be a financial one, which essentially depends on how reliable your roommates are.
Here is an article to help roommates negotiate the financial end of living together. For starters, don’t simply split rent down the middle, as all rooms are not created equal. Take your average 4 bedroom Athens Ohio rental. Some will be big enough to play basketball in, others may be a little bigger than closet. Factor in what each person pays according to how big a space they are living in. It makes sense and makes it easier to accommodate everyone’s needs. Some people are going to want to live on the cheap. Others need enough room for that flatscreen TV.
The article suggests divvying up who pays for what, so each person is responsible for a bill when it comes due. Late bills mean late fees, which could be better spent on beer or food. If everyone pitches in and is responsible for their end of the cable bill, trash, electric company, etc., you’ll pay less on late fines and have more to spend on fun.
Playing the Pay-the-Bill Balancing Act
But sharing costs does help make college more affordable, so renting a house with three of your friends can be worth it. Just make sure you’re all in agreement about who pays what, and rent isn’t necessarily a cut and dry even split.
Keep in mind, when there’s four people living in a rental together, there’s four different people with four different preferences. Some people run hot, some run cold. Some take long showers, others prefer baths.
Whatever the personal preferences may be, make sure they’re clearly outlined. Otherwise, there will be conflict and the decision about how to divvy up rent costs will be more difficult.
Deciding Where to Live
The initial decision of where to rent a house or apartment can be just as tough as calculating rent or utilities. As mentioned earlier, you’re dealing with four different preferences and lifestyles. Some people want an apartment with a view, others care a lot about having parking at their rental.
Location matters too. Do you want an apartment on court street? Does the distance between your house and OU matter? Is having a house with a yard important? These are all important factors to bear in mind.
Compromise is key. No one is going to get everything they want. If you’re not willing to do that, consider a smaller rental, like a two bedroom or studio apartment. You’ll lose the benefit of having more roommates but gain the benefit of having your ideal apartment.
House or Apartment?
One of the most important questions you and your roommates will have to answer is if you want to rent an apartment or a house.
Each has their pros and cons. Houses are typically more spacious and oftentimes come with a great view; many rentals also have a yard. Houses also may come in larger sizes too, like five or six bedroom homes, which could make rent cheaper.
However, houses can be further off campus. If you don’t mind the walk, then it doesn’t matter much.
Apartments, however, usually have a nice view and many rentals are near campus. The downside is space. Not many four-bedroom apartments exist in pure apartment form – as opposed to being units or sections of a house. Most apartments in Athens are one, two or three bedrooms.
Housekeeping and cleaning
Living with roommates means sharing common spaces, so it’s important to establish expectations for keeping the rental clean and tidy. Decide on a schedule for cleaning common areas and assign tasks to each roommate. It’s also a good idea to discuss how you will handle messes and spills as they happen. Since four-bedroom rentals are quite large, your plan should be comprehensive. Make sure everything is covered, from the kitchen to the bathroom to the yard, if you have one.
Guests and overnight visitors
If you plan on having guests or overnight visitors, it’s important to discuss this with your roommates in advance. Establish rules for overnight guests and determine how often each person can have guests over. If you have multiple floors that are broken up into individual student rentals, make sure that guests stay on the respective floor of their host.
Quiet hours and noise levels
Living in close quarters can sometimes mean dealing with noise levels that may not be ideal. To avoid conflicts, it’s a good idea to establish quiet hours and determine acceptable levels of noise during the day and at night. If your unit has parking, your roommates should have no problem driving somewhere else to spend their loud late-night hours (responsibly, of course.)
Shared items and shared space
When living with roommates, it’s important to determine who is responsible for what items and how shared space will be used. Decide on a plan for using shared items such as kitchen appliances, furniture, and electronics. The same can apply to yard space, too. It’s not fair if one of your roommates is constantly having parties in the yard, forcing you and your crew inside.
Lease and rental agreement
Before signing a lease, it’s important to review the sample rental agreement with your roommates. Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as tenants, as well as any rules set forth by the landlord.
By discussing these issues with your roommates before moving in, you can avoid potential conflicts and have a smooth and enjoyable living experience in your four-bedroom rental. Remember to communicate openly and honestly with your roommates and be willing to compromise when necessary. With a little effort and understanding, living with roommates can be a rewarding and enriching experience.