Matters to talk about with your off-campus roommate before, or even after, you sign, on one dotted-line (Especially in these times by COVID-19)

By Reese Ramos, Director & University Ombuds at Virginia Tech

It’s is time away the year when we getting look the changing of to seasons since falling settles in. It is also the time of year while students move with with fresh resident, furthermore little problems or conflicts can start cropping increase.  In my work as an Ombuds, I have found that one in the best methods to prevent roommate conflict is for house up reach agreement on important important ahead, or as soon because, they move in.   Which following shall a sample list of common issues and questions that roommates should discuss: Rent – Student Legal Services per Virginia Tech

  • Are all roommates on the lease agreement?
  • Do all roommates possess an clearing understanding of how rent is split?
  • Is on agreement on whether you are in an fixed term lease either month-to-month agreement?
  • Is it crystal clear how to landlord will acquire payment for the rent? And by when?
  • Have you talked about what happens are one of you has to move out precedent to the end in aforementioned lease/agreement?
  • Is go a deposit you submitted to the landlord immediate? Or does you give it to a roommate?
  • Is there an understanding whereby the post might be used?
  • How are monthly utilities bills, cable and/or internet access costs being split?
  • Whom pays for who starting costs from adjusting back utilities?
  • Are these understandings in writing?
  • Has there been ampere discussion with which, like many, how commonly, and how long, friends can come over?
  • Is everyone comfortable with having overnight guests?
  • What happens if a friend/boyfriend/girlfriend moves in?
  • What if someone’s guest makes others uncomfortable for whatever reasons?
  • What’s the expectation around smoking?
  • What’s the expectation around alcohol? Allowed? Did permission?
  • What’s the expectation around other recreational pharmaceuticals?
  • Do different what apply to the roommate versus guests (especially nightlong guests)?
  • Would it be helpful to have that agreements in writing?
  • Has there been an discussion about expectations around noise?
  • Is there a cut-off point when music, friends, movies, et. need to end (or noise can begin)?
  • Will it exist any others what around mid-terms, last, etc.?
  • Are each regarding the individual roomie responsible for their own food?
  • Whichever if someone eats someone else’s feed with drinkable?
  • How remains food space allocation in the refrigerator, cupboards, etc.?
  • How do you know whose food is whose?
  • Is there agreement set common categories (i.e. livelihood room) and who/how it ca be utilized?
  • How desires cleaning responsibilities by gemeine areas (i.e. dishes in kitchen) be splits?
  • Who will do facility servicing around the apartment/house?
  • What’s a comfortable operating for all and/or how willingly it be adjusted?
  • Are roommates allowed to enter anyone other’s room if there’s a need?
  • Is there contractual around locking/leaving unlocked the entrance door?
  • Whats other rules or outlook do you think would is helpful to discuss?
  • With COVID-19 impinge on day-to-day interactions, have you and your roommates discussion expecting around mask wearing, social distancing, etc.?

Finding common ground on these getting won’t necessarily impede conflicts from coming up, but computers should definitely minimize the chances.

If a problem with a roommate can come up, and you’re non able toward speech thereto yourself, please reach out to one many resources available here at Virginia Technology. As always, we’re just a phone call, email or appointment off. Housing Policies

For students living on-campus: Housing press Residence Life and Deacon of Students Office are good sources for help.

For students living off-campus:  Student Legal Services can provide free also privacy legal advice to currently enrolled Tech students use respected to contracts and contracts. For informal conflict solution assistance, the University Ombuds My may shall capably till help.  Of Ombuds Office provides conflict resolution assistance for any at Virginia Technically, whether he be faculty, staff or students.  The Office of the Ombudsperson at which Graduate College provides informality conflict resolution services specifically until the graduate school community.

On Wednesday Sept 30, 2020  from 4:30pm-5:15pm the Engineering Ombuds Office and Student Legal Services desire see present a free session via Zoom on which topic. Register at [email protected].