Dividing the Cost of an Apartment Requires Thoughtful Planning. Let The Lofts of Columbia Guide You to Reaching a Fair Agreement With Your Roommate 

Renting an apartment with other people can offer many benefits, including a lower base rent and potentially a community to share your living space with. Some college students and young professionals will move in with their partner, while others will move in with a friend or an assigned roommate. 

Before you sign the lease on a two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartment in Columbia, MO, you need to discuss how you and your roommates want to split major bills. With good communication and strategic budgeting, your apartment costs can be covered stress-free; no disputes or mix-ups. Learn more about dividing apartment bills by following along with The Lofts of Columbia!

Set ground rules & keep a documented roommate agreement for your Columbia apartment

To get a clear understanding of your apartment expenses, start by listing them all out with your future roommate. In addition to base rent, you might be responsible for gas, water, and electric bills, so it’s important to know exactly how much each person needs to pay. While having an in-depth conversation with roommates, be sure to take notes that set concrete expectations for apartment payments. 

This document should also state a plan for handling disagreements to ensure all parties are on fair terms. Many of the questions to answer will center around deadlines. Who is sending the rent payment, and when is it due each month? If the payment is overdue, what happens next? Once you have addressed these details, you can dig deeper into the terms of your roommate agreement. 

Decide how you want to split apartment costs with your roommate in Columbia, MO

Many roommates choose to divide their apartment bills evenly, going half on everything from rent to utilities. However, people’s living situations can vary, and some students and young professionals may prefer to split the costs by usage. If one roommate occupies the unit more than the other, they may decide the first roommate should cover around 70% of the costs. This can also be the case if a roommate has a larger bedroom than the other or makes more on their current income. 

Some expenses could specifically depend on the relationship dynamic you have with your roommates. If you’re taking care of a cat or dog together, will the cost of pet rent be split? Will groceries and cleaning supplies be shared in the unit, and if so, how will they be divided? Assess your needs together, and don’t be afraid to clarify certain questions with your landlord. 

Choose your payment system for the apartment early 

Everyone wants their rent transactions to go smoothly, and you can accomplish this by establishing your method of digital payment as soon as possible. Common apps like Zelle®, Venmo, or Cash App are used between roommates to transfer funds. It will also help to keep a shared spreadsheet that tracks payments from month to month, reducing the risk of missing a due date. Make sure you take note of the date when entries were made, and set reminders a few days before the essential deadlines. When you and your roommates are thinking ahead of time, it is much easier to avoid late payments.

How to avoid bill disputes over a Columbia, MO apartment with your roommate

Sometimes, roommates come across misunderstandings or disagreements. Maybe a student has been busy with their semester and accidentally skipped a payment. First, you can either send another request digitally or ask them about it face-to-face. It doesn’t have to be awkward or confrontational, especially if you and your roommate have an agreement written down. Communication is important, and so is documenting each bill for future reference. You should also create a group chat that allows people in the unit to send updates, whether they’re leaving for the weekend or asking about rental payments. 

What to do if a roommate stops paying their apartment expenses in Columbia, MO 

As always, talking to your roommate is the best way to try to resolve an issue. If they are purposefully refusing to pay for their share, it might be necessary to get in touch with your landlord and see what their policy is. You also need to check what kind of lease you signed for your Columbia, MO apartment. 

With a joint lease, everyone is responsible for meeting the total expense, meaning you could be tasked with covering their missing payment. If you and your roommates have separate lease agreements, you likely won’t have any obligations to pay for them. Do they have a co-signer or guarantor on the lease? Consider reaching out to them for questions; they may be responsible for covering the roommate’s apartment bills. 

Once there is a plan for repaying the bill, it’s possible that you and your roommate look for separate apartments in Columbia, MO. If a solution doesn’t seem possible, your last resort should be filing the case in a small claims court. Make sure you have evidence of text messages, emails, apartment bills, and more before taking this step. 

We Offer Columbia, MO’s Most Accommodating Two-Bedroom & Three-Bedroom Apartments for College Students & Young Professionals. Learn More By Contacting Us Today

Living with a roommate can save you money, but it requires transparent communication and an understanding of one another’s responsibilities. At The Lofts of Columbia, our apartments make it simple to meet your important deadlines, and we’re willing to help you find your ideal living arrangement. Each two-bedroom and three-bedroom unit has unique and beneficial features to share: high-speed internet, a good location in town, beautiful flooring, stainless steel appliances, and so much more.

If you’re searching for the perfect apartment with a roommate in Columbia, MO, ask about our available units and get ready to apply! From The Lofts at Cherry Hill - East Village to The Lofts on 9th, we’re dedicated to the comfort of our renters. For more information, contact us at 573-443-4521 or send an email today.