If you’re planning to live with roommates during your college years or in this life of Nairobi, it’s important to spend time defining your ideal roommate. Before you decide on a roommate, you must consider a number of important factors.
The fact is many of us can’t afford to live alone–at least not in places we want to live. Roommates hold the promise of cost and space-efficient living; they may even be a way of making new friends. Here are five tips we suggest for creating a happy, functioning roommate situation;
1. Make Sure They Can Pay their Share of the Rent
This is the most vital thing that you should take consideration when choosing someone to stay within Nairobi. Your best friend from high school may seem like the perfect roommate, but if they already owe you money, renting with them may be problematic. Pick a roommate that you know can pay the rent each month on time. Someone who has a steady job is more reliable than a student relying on their parents for rent money.
2.Cleanliness
For some people, a clean house is extremely important to their mental well-being. Others, however, don’t mind some dirt. If you and your roommate have opposite expectations of cleanliness, arguments about the state of your living quarters are likely to erupt at any minute.
3.Good Communication
Living with someone who communicates well is the key to a good roommate relationship. You and your roommate will be responsible for maintaining your house; no one else will step up to clean up your messes or pay your rent. To avoid messy situations, you need to live with someone who is willing to discuss how to share responsibilities. Even if you do have a roommate who communicates well with you, don’t be afraid to confirm information. For example, if your roommate says he paid the rent, check with your landlord to be sure.
4.Shared Interests
Although sharing interests with your roommate is not essential to a lasting living arrangement, it can help bring you closer and give you something to talk about. If you enjoy playing video games, having a roommate gives you a built-in gaming partner. Two roommates who enjoy music together can share genre of music and hence expose each other to new songs. Having a roommate who shares your interests will ensure that you always have at least one partner in crime when you’re looking for something to do.
5.Relationship status
You need to sit down and set rules with your roommate pertaining to having friends and partners in that rental house. Remember, you all have equal rights to the facilities and it would be disrespectful for one person to take ownership of the amenities at all times. The need for privacy should also be discussed. You do not want to live with someone who has little respect for personal space or who will not hesitate to budge into your room wherever he or she feels like. ” Kupigwa Exile” is just a nuisance to many.
