Moving in With Friends: A Guide to Houston Apartments
May 10, 2023Are you looking to move in with friends? Maybe you’re starting college and want a cheaper rent option that will let you split costs, or maybe the pandemic has proven how important it can be to have support systems close by. Whatever your reason may be, moving in with friends is an exciting yet challenging experience worth exploring further.
This blog post offers an informative guide for those considering taking on this life-changing step by discussing the various considerations needed before making the decision.
Find the Right Apartment
Finding the right apartment is essential to living with friends. Make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for before starting your search. Think about what amenities you’d like, such as how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas. You also want to consider the location. Do you want to live close to campus, work, or the city?
In Houston, TX, there are many great flexible-lease apartments that can fit all of your needs and help keep costs low. Getting a professional apartment list or working with apartment specialists can help you find the perfect place.
Researching the neighborhood you’re interested in will also give you an idea of what to expect. Once you have a few options, go in and take a tour. After all, it’s important that everyone is on board with the apartment before signing a lease.
Be Aware of Additional Costs
Rent isn’t the only expense to consider when moving in with friends. You should also take into account the cost of household expenses and cost of utilities, such as electricity and water bills, as well as any additional costs associated with your apartment. Be sure to get a list from the landlord or manager so you’re not caught off guard. You may also need to factor in the cost of furniture and miscellaneous items such as kitchen supplies, cleaning products, or entertainment facilities.
Know Your Boundaries
When moving in with your buddies, it’s important to be aware of everyone’s boundaries and limits. Do you all agree on acceptable noise levels? Are there specific times when one roommate wants peace and quiet? Are there any ground rules regarding overnight guests or parties? Discussing these things beforehand can help avoid misunderstandings down the line.
Discuss Who Is Responsible for What Bills
Co-living requires thoughtful conversations about who is responsible for what bills. Who will be responsible for paying rent, utilities, and other bills? Will everyone contribute equally or in different proportions depending on their income levels? Having this discussion early on can help prevent disagreements in the future.
Write a Roommate Contract
Creating a roommate contract is a great way to ensure that everyone is on the same page. This contract should include all of the house rules and regulations you discussed above, as well as any additional ones you may have. Your contract should be signed and dated by all roommates to ensure everyone is held accountable for abiding by the rules.
Be Aware of Potential Challenges
Living with friends isn’t always easy, and some issues may arise that you didn’t anticipate. Be prepared for those moments by having open communication between all parties involved. Everyone will have different opinions and expectations, and being aware of this can help you navigate any potential issues that may come up.
Figure Out How You Are Going to Split Groceries
Sharing a kitchen with friends can be both fun and challenging. Before you move in, make sure to discuss how you are going to split the cost of groceries. Will everyone contribute equally or will some roommates opt out? If so, decide what happens if someone does not pay their portion.
Create a Cleaning Schedule
No one likes living in a messy Houston apartment, so creating a cleaning schedule for you and your roommates is important. Cleaning tasks will help keep the space organized, clean, and sanitary. Discuss with your roommates what cleaning responsibilities each of you is responsible for so that everyone knows who is in charge of what.
Set up a System for Borrowing Items
Living with friends should make it easy to borrow common items from each other whenever you need them. However, this can quickly become messy and disorganized if there is no system in place. Consider creating a spreadsheet or shared list online that contains all borrowed items and who has what. This will help ensure nobody gets lost in the mix and that everyone’s belongings are kept track of.
Don’t Steal Food
This may seem obvious, but it is important to talk about. Nobody likes having their food stolen by a roommate, so make sure to discuss this beforehand. If you plan on doing so, set up a system for sharing food, and agree not to take things that don’t belong to you without asking.
Be Considerate of Your Roommate’s Living Habits
When living with friends, it’s important to be considerate of everyone. That means respecting each other’s personal space and allowing each roommate to live in the way they best see fit. This could mean differing sleep schedules, studying habits, and social lives. Respect everyone’s different lifestyles and find ways to compromise if needed.
Stay in Touch With the Landlord or Property Manager
Regardless of who your landlord is, be sure to keep in touch with them about any issues that may arise. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or an issue with the air conditioning, it’s important to keep them in the loop so they can come up with a solution in a timely manner. Doing so can help keep tensions low between all parties involved and save you from any potential legal issues down the road.
Enjoy the Experience
Finally, enjoy the experience! Living with friends can be a fun and rewarding experience if done correctly. Make sure to discuss all of the points above and create a living arrangement that works for everyone. With good communication and open dialogue, you can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable living situation.
Let AOK Apartment Locators Help You Get the Best Houston Apartment Deals!
By following these tips, you and your roommates can rest assured that you will have a positive living experience together in Houston, TX! At the end of the day, living with friends can be a great experience as long as everyone is on the same page.
AOK Apartment Locators can help you find the perfect apartment in Houston with all of your roommate’s needs in mind. We’ll make sure to get you the best deals and provide an in-depth tour of each space so that you can find the perfect home for you and your friends. Contact us today to get started!
