Roommates: Things to Consider

Quick Links

• How to Draft a Roommate Agreement
• Sample Roommate Agreement
• Housing Search Timeline and Checklist
• Splitwise.com

Living with a roommate not only lowers housing costs, but it is also a great opportunity to form lasting relationships. While it can be challenging at times, living with a roommate can be a rewarding experience. Check out the resources below to help you find roommates and prepare for a successful roommate experience.

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Roommates and Boston Zoning Code

It is a violation of the Boston Zoning Code for five or more full-time undergraduate college students to share an apartment in Boston.

For more information, contact the Boston Rental Housing Center:

Phone: (617) 635-3880

Email: housing@boston.gov (Please include your daytime phone number)

Finding a Roommate

If you are new to UMass Boston or the Boston area, there is a chance you will be looking for potential roommates.  

Students can connect with roommates on our Roommate Finder page.

Roommate Agreements

Roommate conflicts are not uncommon. A Roommate Agreement is a document created by roommates containing the expectations and responsibilities that all roommates agree upon and sign. This document can help set expectations early, prevent problems later, and be useful when mediating conflict. Take a look at this Sample Roommate Agreement and consider using it as a template.

Sharing Costs

Renting an apartment and living with roommates often means negotiating with your roommates on what is fair for the cost of rent per room, how to host guests fairly, and keeping track of money owed for utilities and other household items. Splitwise.com is an excellent resource for determining what is fair. We recommend you check out the “Fairness Calculators”!

Roommate Mediation

If you have tried to solve the problem on your own and have been unsuccessful, contact Off-Campus Living at offcampus@umb.edu. The OCL team can assist you. We can share tips you can employ on your own and we can schedule a mediation meeting with you and your roommates to discuss the problem.

OCL can also enlist the university's Beacon-to-Beacon program where a trained mediator can meet with you and your roommates to help settle any disagreements.  

Dealing with a loud roommate?

Watch the video below for tips on navigating difficult conversations and communicating your needs.

Contact Off-Campus Living