Choose your next roommate from the good, the bad and the ugly

By Kristina Walton
Staff Writer

A new year, a new season, and
a fresh start. New classes,
new friends and possibly a new roommate. Having gone through four roommates in two years, I think I am qualified to offer some insight on the roommate scene.

Suspect 1: The Slob
He or she is a good friend, likes to spend money, fills the fridge with food, goes out to have a good time frequently, but then comes home at 4 o’clock in the morning every day. This person grabs some cereal and milk, then leaves it out for days. Eventually you start to worry. “What’s that smell?” You enter the kitchen to find a jug of cottage cheese sitting on your counter. But that’s not all. The dishes now are a science project gone wrong, covered in what could only be described as the smell of bad breath. It remains there the entire time of your lease.

Advice: The slob is the person who does not like to be faced with who they really are. If confrontation is your style of bringing up issues, change your habits quickly. Also, never get a pet with this type of roommate. Irresponsibility with food and dishes can only lead to irresponsibility with the cat or dog. Once you have smelled a litter box that has not been changed for two weeks, you never forget it.

Suspect 2: The One That Was Never There
Roommates that have significant others often put them before their friends or roommates. The one that was never there can lead to a pretty dull time between you and well . . . you. You feel like this person has taken advantage of you by looking for a place to store his or her belongings. They’re home once a week to do the dishes, take out the trash or pay a few bills, but when you’re not even there. Then your roommate gets a call and is out the door, leaving that glass of Coke on the counter until the next week.

Advice: Slowly start packing your things because you need to get out. This person is taking advantage of you, looking for a way to get the rent cheaper while you stay home to clean up their messes. Talk with the management of your apartment to see if you can transfer to a one-bedroom. Then let your roommate make the decision to either stay home a bit more or you’re out. This one is sensitive because the argument can always be, “Why are you upset? I pay the rent on time and do all my chores.” But stand firm. You got a two-bedroom apartment probably looking to make a closer friend, not to be a storage space.

Suspect 3: Mr. Clean
This person suckers you into moving in with him/her by telling you about all the amenities he/she has to offer. It’s practically a Power Point presentation. These roommates’ parents pay for their rent so they will never be late or not have the money. They clean almost to the point of being obsessive. They also promise that they will never have overnight guests. The package is concluded with modern furniture, not that old stuff that you had from a thrift store. It sounds perfect, too perfect. On the day you move in, these roommates have a checklist to complete. They arrange the setup of your home, with furniture in the living and dining room the way they want it. On the second night, these type of roommates will call you while you are out without them, asking when you are going to be home to do your chores. You’re tired of hearing, “Coaster rule is in effect!” It’s your coffee table after all.

Advice: Let this person know your feelings early on. You’re not a messy person but you’re not going to dust when you get home from school. You never want feelings to bottle up inside you. Let them know that it is not just their home and you are not their child. After all, you have an equal say where you hang your hat.

Suspect 4: Can I Borrow A Few Bucks?
Do you feel like you are constantly letting your roommate borrow money from you? Are you always paying more than your share of the phone bill and rent? The roommate who never has any money can be one of the most stressful types of roommates. Everyone has gone through a period in his or her life where he or she needs to make a buck stretch. To have to pay for the rent just to avoid eviction is something that no one likes to do. Money can often tear apart relationships. But more importantly, will you ever get that money back? Usually not.

Advice: Try to get the money back that is owed to you almost immediately. The longer that the situation is avoided, the less likely you are to get any back. Also, try to talk over your feelings with this person so that your friendship is left on a good note. You’re more likely to get reimbursed this way and you don’t leave with an enemy.

Although I have had less than perfect experiences with roommates, this is not always the case. Try to go into any situation with an open mind. More importantly, you liked this person before you moved in together and it is important that you try to feel this way after.

(Kristina Walton is a staff writer majoring in mass communications.)