Resolve Roommate Conflicts and Protect Your Lease

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• Document all incidents with dates and details as future evidence if needed.
• Hold a neutral meeting in a shared space to discuss issues calmly.
• Use ‘I’ statements to communicate your needs and avoid defensiveness.
• Agree on clear rules for expenses and chores to reduce misunderstandings.
• Clarify noise, guest, and privacy terms to address major tension sources.
• Draft a written roommate agreement and have all sign it.
• Review local tenant laws to understand your rights.
• Set a follow-up meeting to review any unresolved issues.
• Communicate in writing after the initial talk for documentation.
• Contact your landlord only if the issue threatens safety or the lease.
• Try mediation services from your university, city, or property manager.
• Plan an exit strategy, such as subletting, if you can’t reach resolution.