Rooming with other people can be a great way to save money and make friends, but it can also be a source of stress. One of the most common problems is dealing with inconsiderate roommates.
Whether they’re constantly leaving dirty dishes in the sink or blasting music at all hours of the night, inconsiderate roommates can make life difficult. The good news is that there are some things you can do to deal with the situation. So read on and find out for yourself!
5 Steps to deal with inconsiderate roommates:
1- Have a heart-to-heart talk:
One of the best ways to deal with an inconsiderate roommate is to have a heart-to-heart talk. This will give them a chance to explain their side of the story and come up with a plan to change their behavior.
This means sitting down with your roommate and expressing how their actions are affecting you. It’s important, to be honest, and direct, but also to avoid attacking or name-calling. Instead, focus on how their behavior makes you feel. For example, you might say something like, “I feel disrespected when you leave your dirty dishes in the sink.” Hopefully, this will open up a dialogue where you can come to a resolution that works for both of you.
If not, at least you will have made your feelings known and hopefully won’t have to deal with as much passive-aggressive behavior from your roommate going forward. They will understand your perspective on things and get that you’re not just a grungy unpleasant person but that you have your reasons.
2- Set boundaries:
Dealing with an inconsiderate roommate can be tricky. You don’t want to seem like a nag, but at the same time, you need to set boundaries in order to maintain a comfortable living situation. One way to do this is to sit down with your roommate and establish some ground rules.
For example, you might agree to keep common areas clean, or take turns doing chores. Whatever rules you decide to come up with, make sure that both of you are being heard and that you agree on the boundaries you have set. Setting some boundaries can allow everyone to have a comfortable living situation.
If your roommate is consistently breaking the rules, you may need to impose consequences, such as losing privileges or being required to pay for damages. By being assertive and setting clear expectations, you can help ensure that everyone enjoys a respectful and harmonious living environment.
3- Stay calm and collected when dealing with them:
Whatever you do, just make sure that you stay calm and respectful throughout the process of dealing with any inconsiderate or even rude roommate. After all, nobody wants to live with a roommate who is constantly angry and confrontational either.
It can be easy to let emotions get the best of you, but it’s important to remain levelheaded. This way, you’ll be more likely to resolve the issue in a constructive manner. If your roommate is being disruptive late at night, try talking to them about it during a quiet moment.
For example, perhaps they can agree to keep the noise down after 10 pm. If your roommate is consistently leaving dirty dishes in the sink, try leaving a note asking them to please wash them. Sometimes a gentle reminder is all it takes for someone to start pitching in.
4- Speak to higher authorities:
As we said, first; try talking to your roommate about your concerns. It’s possible that they’re unaware of how their actions are affecting you. If that doesn’t work, you can always talk to your residence hall advisor or another authority figure. In severe cases, it may be necessary to find a new place to live.
However, with a little patience and effort, it’s usually possible to resolve the situation without resorting to extreme measures. So don’t hesitate to speak to your Resident Assistant or another authority figure if you feel like you’re at your wit’s end. They can help mediate the situation and provide additional support if needed.
5- Consider moving out:
Sometimes, we may feel like we’re stuck living with an unwanted roommate for the foreseeable future; because we think it’s not like we can just up and leave. When we’re a student we may have a limited budget and overthink everything and anything before we can make a decision. This is also the case when we have a roommate that’s literally making life a living hell.
However, if things got ugly and you feel that your well-being and safety are at risk, it may not be worth staying in a situation that is unhealthy for you. You deserve to live in a safe and comfortable environment, and if your roommate is making that impossible, it may be time to look for other options.
Before you make any rash decisions, it’s important to consider what your roommate is capable of. If they are generally a good person who has just been acting out of character lately, it may be worth giving them another chance. But, if their behavior is consistent and shows no signs of improvement, it may be best to move out and then move on and close this chapter.
In the end, if you really liked this article then you may want to read this one too on why you should never live with an ex under the same roof, as they could be a horrible roommate and a revengeful one too.