TorontoRentals
You never truly know someone until you live with them. Social masks fall away in the home space and what’s underneath isn’t always pretty. Here are three characters commonly known as “The Roommates From Hell” and how to deal with them.
This isn’t about being confrontational and starting a full on war; rather, it’s about respect and co-operation. Even if you feel entitled to have it your way, remember that it isn’t easy to change someone’s habits. When demanding change doesn’t work (and when does it ever?), try these roundabout solutions.
- Dish Hoarder Dana is the roommate who collects piles of dirty dishes in her room, often to emerge and pile them on the kitchen counter to sit for days on end. The smells are out of this world, the kitchen becomes unusable, and it’s hard to imagine eating off of those plates even if they are cleaned twice. It’s also flat out embarrassing to bring people over.
Solution: First off, why do you have so many dishes that Dana can even exist as a dish hoarder? If your cupboards are unnecessarily overstocked, downsize to a single four-piece dinner set. This way she will be forced to clean dishes on a regular basis. If you don’t mind segregation at home, then consider getting your own set for personal use.
- Fresh Air Frank loves opening windows in the winter. This is the guy who loves fresh air even if it comes at an insanely high price. Literally. You’re stuck paying for half the hydro bill and feeling cold. Don’t even get us started on the environmental impact of wasting so much energy.
Solution: Teach Frank some alternative ways to keep the apartment feeling fresh in the winter. Boiling some cedar in the kitchen will hydrate the dry winter air while adding a refreshing scent to your apartment. Bonus effect: You’ll both be left feeling calm yet energized. Like stovetop yoga.
- One-Night-Stand Pat makes your place feel like a revolving door of strangers coming in. Who are all these sexy people? Not even Pat knows. You’re not here to judge your roommate’s lifestyle, but having so many strangers in your home space doesn’t leave you feeling comfortable.
Solution: This isn’t an easy situation to fix. If communicating your discomfort isn’t enough to sway Pat’s behaviour, then the best thing to do is put a lock on your door and keep any expensive or sentimental objects away from common rooms to prevent theft. Either that or opt for a new roommate.
