College Room-Mates Off-Campus: What Works, What Doesn't - Planning Ahead

Living Off-Campus with Room-Mates Can Be Great, If You Plan Ahead

You've decided to move off-campus with room-mates. If this was after you've considered the costs and the advantages, congratulations. The following potential room-mate issues could turn your dream-come-true into a nightmare. Address them now, and save yourself and your room-mates unneeded fights and arguments later.

Living Off-Campus with Room-Mates Issue #1 - Room Assignments

Whatever off-campus space you share with your room-mates, some rooms will be larger/better than others. Some forethought can prevent the room-mate getting the smallest/worst room becoming upset. First, smaller rooms may merit lower rent (possibly proportional to the square footage). If the rent for the smallest room is low enough, someone is likely to prefer it. If none of the room-mates volunteers, flip a coin or draw straws to see who gets the small room with lower rent.

Living Off-Campus with Room-Mates Issue #2 - Internet, Phone, and Cable

While utilities are not optional, phone land-line, internet service, and cable TV are. Discuss with your room-mates what services you wish to buy jointly. If not all room-mates want a particular service, they should not be forced to pay. However, any room-mates who don't pay for a service should be honor-bound not to use it.

Living Off-Campus with Room-Mates Issue #3 - Furnishing Joint Spaces

Living-room, family-room, kitchen, etc. require joint furniture and accessories. Discuss with your off-campus room-mates what you'll buy jointly, with what budget, and what you should buy at Ikea vs. the local thrift store. Before buying anything, plan with your room-mates what happens when one or more room-mates leave before the others. If you agree on a fair plan, nobody will be upset. For example, a departing room-mate may decide to leave his share of the well-used kitchenette for the remaining room-mates. However, he may ask to have his share of the almost new living-room set bought out by room-mates staying on (use eBay or Craig's List to determine a reasonable value). If you can't agree on the set's value, or don't want to keep it, sell and split the proceeds.