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Start with facts, not aesthetics
Share the official room inventory, bed layout, appliance rules, and move-in schedule. A color palette can wait; the refrigerator question cannot.
Assign every shared purchase
For each shared item, record the owner, who is paying, whether the cost is split, and who keeps it after move-out.
- Fan
- Cleaning supplies
- Trash and recycling
- Rug
- Vacuum or broom
- Water pitcher
- Approved appliances
- Shared decor
Agree on the first week
Talk about sleep schedules, morning alarms, guests, food sharing, room temperature, cleaning, and how each person wants to handle conflict. The goal is not identical preferences; it is fewer surprises.
Use exact repayment language
Instead of 'we can split it later,' record the amount, due date, and payment method. Save receipts in the roommate chat until the return window closes.
Protect each person's exit
Label who owns each item and avoid cutting, mounting, or modifying shared property without agreement. At move-out, the ownership list prevents a final-day argument.
Turn the advice into a plan.
The free two-page checklist gives you the core list, the roommate prompts, and a place to flag campus rules.
Get the free PDF