Co-living 101: The Basics of Being a Good Roommate

Q: Your roommate works late and often needs quietness during the day to sleep. What’s the most respectful move?

Talk to them about their schedule and agree on quiet hours. Exactly right. Communication helps set shared boundaries. When you take time to understand each other's routines and come up with solutions together, you reduce stress and build trust.

Q: It’s your roommate’s turn to take out the trash, but it’s starting to smell. What do you do?

Take it out and gently remind them later. This is both mature and collaborative. Sometimes doing more in the moment protects the shared space. Pairing the action with a respectful reminder helps keep accountability intact without making things personal.

Q: Your roommate's friend has been sleeping over every night for a week. What’s the best first step?

Ask your roommate to talk and share how it’s affecting you. Direct and respectful. Honest conversations allow both people to explain their sides. This sets the tone for long-term respect, not one-off fixes.

Q: You’re not home much and rarely use the kitchen. Should you still help clean it regularly?

Yes. Shared spaces should be maintained by everyone. Absolutely. Cleaning is not about who made the mess, but about keeping the space functional and respectful. Good roommates take initiative and don’t wait to be asked.

Q: You and your roommate don’t vibe socially. What’s the best way to live peacefully?

Try to get to know them better over time. The ideal move. You don’t need to become best friends, but making an effort to learn about each other’s habits, triggers, and routines improves cooperation and reduces unnecessary conflict.

5 Questions

By: The Platuni Team

03 Jun, 2025

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1. Your roommate works late and often needs quietness during the day to sleep. What’s the most respectful move?

Wear headphones and avoid loud calls during the day

Carry on like normal. It’s your home too

Talk to them about their schedule and agree on quiet hours

Co-living 101: The Basics of Being a Good Roommate

1. Your roommate works late and often needs quietness during the day to sleep. What’s the most respectful move?

Wear headphones and avoid loud calls during the day

Carry on like normal. It’s your home too

Talk to them about their schedule and agree on quiet hours

Text them every time you're about to make noise so they’re warned

2. It’s your roommate’s turn to take out the trash, but it’s starting to smell. What do you do?

Take it out and gently remind them later

Leave it until they remember. It’s their job

Take it out and then complain to your other roommates

Dump it outside their door so they don’t forget next time

3. Your roommate's friend has been sleeping over every night for a week. What’s the best first step?

Complain to the landlord

Leave a note saying guests aren’t allowed

Ask your roommate to talk and share how it’s affecting you

Confront the guest and tell them they’re overstaying

4. You’re not home much and rarely use the kitchen. Should you still help clean it regularly?

No. You don’t use it, so it’s not your mess

Yes. Shared spaces should be maintained by everyone

Only clean when someone asks

Offer to clean only when others aren’t around

5. You and your roommate don’t vibe socially. What’s the best way to live peacefully?

Avoid them completely. No need to pretend

Try to get to know them better over time

Tell them upfront you won’t interact

Only speak when you have a complaint