As NYC rents continue to increase, having someone to help split the potential cost of rent can either help lessen your own financial burden or allow you to afford a much nicer apartment in the neighborhood you want. The real question is - how do you find the perfect roommate? Here at RentHop we'll connect you with a roommate specialist who will assist you in that search!
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Having roommates has now advanced from being a pleasantry to a necessity, especially in New York City. If you're lucky, having roommates may be the most cost-efficient and enjoyable living situation for you, sadly, there is no such thing as having perfect roommates and problems tend to arise when you need to share your space with others. To save yourself from future roommate issues, you might want to have a roommate contract in place to ensure a functional relationship with your roommates. The word "contract" might sound scary, but it will definitely come in handy from time to time. Make sure to cover quiet hours, visitor rules, what to share (cooking oil, coffee), what not to share (shampoo or your Chanel N°5 L'eau), and address them in the contract. You will be surprised how beneficial it could be.
However, having a roommate contract doesn't mean you'll necessarily be safe from all future roommate conflicts. Remember, communication is key to a successful, healthy, and strong roommate relationship. You are adults, not some mind-readers or psychics. Instead of wasting time being passive-aggressive or speculating, put in the effort and take the time to tell each other how you feel. Approach your roommate and voice any issues or problems that are damaging your quality of life. Sometimes, roommates can become besties, and it's all about being open to expressing your feelings, whether good or bad, in a mature way.
If, unfortunately, you and your roommate do not get along with each other, and one of you intends to move out before the lease expires, do your research before you make any moves. If you plan to sublet your room, check with your landlord first. Many landlords do not allow subletting, and it would be unwise to break the lease, as they might penalize you. The penalty for breaking a lease can be anywhere around 1 to 3 months of rent. You also might have to forfeit the remainder of your security deposit. Best case scenario, one of you can stay in the apartment until the lease expires, and the landlord will give you the blessing to find someone else to sublet the room.
But what if the landlord refuses your request? This basically means that you will be stuck in the same apartment, until the lease expires. In this case, pluck up your courage and deal with your serious roommate hate. It might be awkward when you first approach your roommate, but keep in mind that it is for your own good. If the issues are more about differences in habits or personalities, be straight-forward and tell your roommate exactly what bothers you the most. Give your roommate some time to digest and express his/her concerns, and perhaps, you can reach a consensus and keep the peace until the lease expires. Again, communication is huge in a roommate relationship.
After the talk, take a vacation to reward yourself for the effort you put in, and spend some time to prepare yourself. It is never easy to live with someone, and it is even more challenging when you don’t get along with your roommate. But things will eventually come around.