Tips To Deal With a Messy Roommate

Australia Sep 18, 2019

Sharing student accommodation with a roommate is a practical housing option for students. Not only does it split your rent in half, but there is someone to keep you company at all times. Life with a roommate can get a little tricky as well, especially for people who have not shared a living space with somebody in the past. It is natural to have a different personality than the person you are living with but bad hygiene habits are uncompromisable. There are some people who pay more attention to cleanliness and organization, while others couldn’t care less. Read further for a few tips on how to deal with a grubby roomie! 

1. Talk it out

The first step for maintaining a healthy relationship with any person is to talk about all the things that could risk losing cordiality. A simple conversation with them will make sure they know that their lazy attitude spoils the vibe of the accommodation. Expressing distress is the first step towards better communication, whereas a lack of clarity makes it difficult for people to enjoy each other’s company. So go ahead, have a conversation with them about how little changes in their lifestyle can incorporate big ones in the living situation. Be polite, so you don’t come off as too mean or demanding. 

Talking it out with the roommate.

2. Separate Spaces

Talking it out did not turn out to be as helpful as you had expected? Mark boundaries around the accommodation. This way you get to at least keep your area clean and organized. There will also be less cribbing about their way of living unless they exploit your space. Mark separate boundaries and common spaces. You will not have control over how they live in their room (fair enough) but you can ask them to fix the mess in the common area. 

Setting boundaries at home.
Image credits: Student accommodation London

 

3. The Monica Geller Approach

Monica Geller’s excessive cleaning might have gotten a little annoying for her F.R.I.E.N.D.S, but your filthy roommate needs a person like her. Pick up their pile of dirty clothes and politely place it in their room. A few acts of kindness will encourage them to reciprocate. Taking charge can solve most of the issues but don’t go overboard with it. Just do it till they begin to feel guilty enough to start helping around the house. After all, nobody messes with Monica because she HATES mess! 

Monica Geller's OCD.
Image credits: WordPress

4. Hire a Cleaner

If nothing worked and you are too busy to deal with the stubborn roommate, get a person to clean your messy apartment. Split the expense with your roommate. It’ll add to your monthly expenditure but it is definitely worth it. There will be lesser cleaning and yelling on your part, so you get to focus on more important things in life. Just worry about your tests and assignments, now that life at home isn’t messy anymore.

Hire a cleaner.

5. Chore-listing

Nobody is better at dealing with lazy kids than moms. Households can’t run efficiently without equal contribution by all members of the family. Like it or not, your roomie is your family. So why not hang a weekly house chore-chart on the refrigerator. Don’t feel bad about reminding them to get things done if they don’t take it seriously. Reward them with pizza at the end of a successful week to keep them motivated to stay on the right path. The path leading to dust-free furniture and stress-free life! 

Making a house chores chart.

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