How to Be a Good Roommate

Since I've had some experience (way too much!) living with a terrible roommate, I thought I'd share some tips on how to be a good roommate and how to avoid having those living with you come to hate you!

1. Pay Up. Finances is one of the biggest problems when you're dealing with a roommate situation. Figure out who's paying for what or how often you will add up and divide expenses. Remember, if your roommate's name is on the lease and she's paying the rent while you pay her back later, every day you wait to pay her back is a day she is out the money. If you don't know how much you owe, ask. Try to pay within one business day after she gives you the total.
2. Clean Up. Even if you're a naturally messy person, try to keep common areas clean. If you divide the chores, keep up with the ones you have. Try to glance through the house once a day and pick up anything you've left lying out, or do a quick load of dishes. If you are keeping something in the common area, but rarely use it, try finding space for it in a closet instead. If you do have to leave something out that takes up a huge area (such as drying racks for clothes that can't go in the dryer), keep it as out of the way as possible, leave it only up overnight, and put it away before you leave for work the next morning.
3. Store. If your belongings are taking up more than your fair share of the house, consider putting things you rarely use in storage. Do you really need 50 different outfits and three dressers if you're sharing a small bedroom? Pack away seasonal wear and invest in some under the bed boxes. If you must, get a storage unit.
4. Share. If you are moving into an existing living situation, chances are your roommate(s) already purchased what was needed to get the house running - small appliances, dishes, furniture, cleaning supplies, etc. Do your best to come up with things you can bring to make the situation nicer for everyone, but without duplicating your roommate's efforts (if they have plenty of dishes, don't bring more). And don't use the items you bring as bargaining chips or as something to take away when you feel like it. Expect a little wear and tear on whatever you donate to the cause - chances are you're using their microwave, sitting on their couch, and watching their TV without a worry as to how much you use them.
5. Avoid monopolizing. Yes, conflict may come up with both roommates want to have company over in the same living room. Yes, you should feel free to have your friends over. But be considerate. If your roommate has to be up earlier, don't have a wild party the night before. And just because you have a friend over, doesn't mean you should always have free reign of the living room. And be doubly careful if you start dating someone. While your roommate may be understanding and retire to her bedroom so you and your boyfriend can use the living room, she may soon come to resent having to "hide" in her room night after night. Even if you don't force her to leave, think of how you would feel if the situations were reversed, and avoid monopolizing the room more than once or twice a week.
6. Exit gracefully. When it comes time to move out, end things on a good note. Don't just pack your belongings and skedaddle; take time to clean the areas you're vacating, and help get the place back to normal. Get the last bills squared away as promptly as you can, and don't empty the kitchen cupboards (remember, they were full when you got there) unless you know it's food your former roommates won't eat.

Keep these tips in mind, and you will stay friends with your roommates and gain glowing recommendations!