When you share an apartment with someone, conflicts are bound to arise. There’s no way to avoid them. It’s one of the less pleasant parts of the whole coliving experience. And if you’re a conflict-averse person, then it’s probably even worse for you! I mean, no one likes fighting with the person you share an apartment with. After all, your home is supposed to be your safe haven, not a boxing ring. But no matter what you do, problems will arise and it is your job to deal with them head-on. Sharing apartments with roommates means you need to be respectful of one another. After all, your home should be your sanctuary. And we are here to help you with that. If you don’t think you’re good with conflicts, don’t get stressed out. Here are some tips for conflict resolution that will make your coliving experience blissful!

Share an Apartment? You need rules!

When you’re sharing apartments with roommates, most conflicts arise because you guys have different expectations of each other. Maybe you want your roommate to clean the dishes immediately after a meal. Maybe they expect you to clean the apartment more often. All of these things can pent up and will eventually make coliving a nightmare for you. So, the best thing to do is to set some ground rules before you even have any conflicts. These rules can be anything- whatever makes it easier to share an apartment with your roommate. If it helps, you can also write this down and stick it on the fridge.  Now no one can back out of it!

Here is a list of essential ground rules that will make your life a million times better!

Find a common ground

When you’re sharing apartments with roommates, you can’t always be stubborn about doing things your way. That coliving etiquette 101. You need to be kind and empathetic towards your roommates and listen to what their needs are. You know, how when you’re having a really bad day, sometimes you just want the other person to listen, and not give their opinions? That’s kinda what you sometimes have to do when you share an apartment. When there’s a conflict with your roommates, just sit down and listen to their side. Find a common ground. Believe me, this whole coliving thing will be a lot easier if you work hard to like the other person.

See Also: Use These Texts To Resolve The Most Common Roommate Conflicts

Ask For Help

Now, every once in a while you and your roommates will find yourselves in a situation where you just can’t seem to agree with one another. Sharing apartments with roommates can be incredibly frustrating at times. Here is where you bring in an outsider. But be mindful, this person should be completely neutral to the problem at hand. If your mediator ends up taking sides, your coliving situation will only get worse from there. Instead, find a common friend or neighbor who will resolve this conflict for you in a kind and professional manner. This is one of the most mature ways to deal with conflict when you share an apartment.

If you want to know about what a good mediator needs to do, check this out!

Talk it out before you walk it out!

Have you ever been so frustrated with your roommate that you’ve just wanted to move out? Contract be damned. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. It’s a quintessential part of the coliving experience. But you’re an adult now, you can’t give in to those petty impulses. Instead of walking out on the person you share an apartment with, talk it out with them. Don’t shout, don’t argue- just have a mature conversation about the problems you’re having. If you talk to them in a calm, rational manner, they will respond in a similar manner. And that’s what sharing apartments with roommates is all about.

Related: 5 Real Roommate Problems and How to Resolve Them

Be good to them!

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “relationships are two-way streets”, well, that applies when you’re coliving too. If you want good behavior from your roommates, then you gotta do the same. Sharing apartments with roommates is all about give-and-take. You can’t expect them to listen to you if you completely disregard everything they say. Being a good roommate yourself can make your relationship with the person you share an apartment with really prosper. And who knows, maybe it will lead to a friendship that lasts a lifetime!

Here are some habits you should develop if you want to be a considerate roommate.

Now that you have the tools to resolve any conflicts, go forth and prosper!

If you happen to be looking for new roommates, don’t stress, happens to the best of us- check out Roomi. It’s your one-stop shop for all you apartment and roommate needs!

See Also: How To Fix Your Relationship With A Roommate Post Conflict