How to Deal with Common Roommate Issues

The best time to set boundaries for roommates is right when you move in before anyone has the chance to claim the “good shelf” in the fridge or accidentally borrow your mug for the tenth time. Grab your new flatmates for something casual, like a coffee, a game night, or a chat in the kitchen. This conversation doesn’t need to be formal. You’re not drafting a contract you’re just making sure everyone’s expectations match up.

Talk about things like: 

• Noise levels (especially late at night) 

• Cleaning habits 

• Sharing food or kitchen items 

• Guests staying over 

• Borrowing chargers, or cookware 

• Bathroom etiquette (yes, this matters more than you think) 

Setting these boundaries early prevents resentment later. When everyone knows what’s acceptable, it keeps university living smooth and drama free. And trust us avoiding unnecessary drama is the secret to surviving shared living. 

When something starts to bother you, the worst thing you can do is bottle it up. Ignoring it won’t make it go away it just means it’ll grow until the tiniest thing sets you off, like someone breathing too loud in the kitchen. 

If you’re struggling with how to deal with a messy roommate, or you can’t sleep because your noisy roommates think 3am is a great time to practise DJing, it’s better to address it calmly. 

Some tips:

• Keep it factual, not emotional 

• Use “I feel” statements instead of accusing them 

• Be specific “Could you wash your dishes the same day?” is better than “You never clean” 

Most people aren’t trying to annoy you they just don’t realise what’s bothering you. A simple conversation can fix weeks’ worth of tension. 

Communication is the key to living with roommates successfully and no, sending passive aggressive memes does not count as communication (even if they're very, very accurate). 

If you’re annoyed, confused, overwhelmed, or unsure how to compromise with someone, just be honest. Communicating openly helps prevent awkward misunderstandings, especially when you’re sharing a space every single day. Sit down with them or go grab a coffee, a different setting can always help.

Try saying things like: 

• “Hey, I know you probably didn’t realise, but the late-night noise has been affecting my sleep.” 
  

• “Would you be okay if we set up a cleaning rota?” 

When people understand how their actions affect you, they’re much more likely to change. And when everyone feels comfortable talking, living together becomes a lot less stressful. 

Timing can make or break a conversation.

Avoid bringing up problems when: 

• They’re stressed or rushing to class 

• You’re annoyed or tired 

• They’re hungover (the survival instincts kick in and nothing useful gets done) 

• Someone else is around who doesn’t need to hear it 

Pick a calm moment like when you’re both in the kitchen making lunch or chilling in the living room. A relaxed atmosphere leads to a more productive discussion, and it helps keep things friendly rather than confrontational. 

If you're dealing with noise issues or mess, waiting until both of you have had a chance to decompress means you're less likely to snap. Nobody enjoys being ambushed about the washing up while they’re still half asleep. 

Knowing how to compromise is essential. University living puts you in close quarters with people who might be very different from you and that’s okay. You don’t all need to have the same habits or routines to get along. 

For example: 

• Maybe you’re an early bird and they’re a night owl, agree on quiet hours 

• Maybe you like a spotless kitchen and they’re more “organised chaos”, create a rota 

• Maybe they love hosting pre-drinks and you prefer cosy nights, set limits everyone’s comfortable with 

Compromise doesn’t mean giving up your needs. It means finding solutions that work for everyone. Shared living should feel fair not one-sided