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13 Things I Wish I'd Done BEFORE Signing A Lease With Another Person

Think about renting from a place that offers individual leases.

Ashley Lytle

Feb 17, 2019

Bowling Green State University

1420

13 Things I Wish I'd Done BEFORE Signing A Lease With Another Person

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I have had the worst luck when it comes to roommates. My first roommate let her friend clean my stuff up. This included going through cabinets and my drawers. If she had asked me to clean up I totally would have. But it had been an extremely hot week and we didn't have AC. So I just hadn't yet. My next roommate was my boyfriend and his best friend. This situation led to my boyfriend having fewer friends by the end of the lease.

I've dealt with roommates refusing to pay utilities to roommates who never clean. These unfortunate, stressful, uncomfortable, and at times extremely upsetting experiences have been some of the worst in my life, but they've left me with plenty of knowledge that I am eager to share with others.

Hopefully, these 13 tips will prevent you from being in the same situations I've been through:

1. Have a roommate agreement

Make sure you list everything on there. From rules for guests, personal belongings, who is paying what, food, cleaning, and also some information on how disputes will be settled and what if someone pays late.

2. Establish open communication early on

I wish I had paid more attention to my roommate's ability to communicate and follow through because I would've never lived with them if I had and had prioritized that more.

3. Keep track of all furniture purchased

Definitely bought furniture or helped pay for it only for that roommate to later say I hadn't and it was there's.

4. Keep a record of all bills paid

Make sure you have some sort of proof you paid your share of rent or utilities. And if someone is paying you keep track of their payments.

5. Make sure you understand the lease you are signing

Some leases don't have a way to just remove one person and you have to be prepared for that.

6. Understand that if you choose to move in with a friend there’s a risk you could lose them

Living with them can completely change your relationship. Either it'll strengthen that friendship or tear it apart. In my experience, it has been the latter.

7. Make sure everyone has a steady income and savings

If something happens and they or you suddenly don't have a job anymore, bills still have to paid. And it's not the others responsibility to be responsible for that lack of income.

8. Keep records of all communication

You never know when someone will go against there word and if so having proof is completely necessary.

9. Have a Plan B

I've definitely had people decide not to do a lease last minute and that's put me in the bad situation of trying to scramble and figure something out to ensure I have a place to live.

10. Learn about each others' personal lives

Do they want to have their SO stay over? Do they like to have friends over or throw parties? Do they want to adopt any animals? Do they hate any music? How early do they go to bed/wake up? Make sure you two are compatible to live together.

11. Decide who is contributing what

Figure out who is going to bring the TV, the furniture, the shower curtain, etc. Also, make sure to list this on the roommate agreement.

12. If pets are involved make sure to have the other meet them before signing a lease together

This goes both ways. It's important for all on the lease and their pets to get along and feel comfortable with each other.

13. Don’t do it

Personally, every experience I have with signing a lease with someone has been awful. It's been the most stressful times of my life. If you do choose to have a roommate choose to rent a place that has individual leases instead of everyone being on one and take my advice above.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

13 Things I Wish I'd Done BEFORE Signing A Lease With Another Person

Think about renting from a place that offers individual leases.

1. Have a roommate agreement

2. Establish open communication early on

3. Keep track of all furniture purchased

4. Keep a record of all bills paid

5. Make sure you understand the lease you are signing

6. Understand that if you choose to move in with a friend there’s a risk you could lose them

7. Make sure everyone has a steady income and savings

8. Keep records of all communication

9. Have a Plan B

10. Learn about each others' personal lives

11. Decide who is contributing what

12. If pets are involved make sure to have the other meet them before signing a lease together

13. Don’t do it

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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