By Gretchen Henderson
You met her freshmen year in the basement of who-knows-what frat. You connected over high school memories; you both were on homecoming court, shocker. Your friendship grew from there and before you knew it, she earned a little emoji by her contact information and then you guys were signing a lease for your first apartment. You had found your roommate soul mate and everything was great until you realized she is allergic to cleaning and has the sleep schedule of an owl. After many tearful cries to Mom, you compose yourself, but by now, it’s time to sign leases for the next year. She knocks on your door and asks if you will be renewing your lease together, and you need an escape plan.
Dropping a roommate is never easy but sometimes it’s needed for your metal stability. So follow this plan to drop a roommate in the safest way:
- Make sure you are vocal about your feelings, but cautious of their feelings.
If they feel targeted they will lash out. Make it a conversation where both of you can express your feelings. It’s guaranteed that if you are having problems, they probably are too. Plan a coffee date and talk it out in person and not over text, but stay firm on your decision. Don’t let one apology erase multiple sinks full of dishes. Make sure this conversation is sober too.
- Have a game plan for when it backfires.
It’s easier to escape a plan if you already have a backup plan. Don’t leave yourself searching endlessly on Craigslist when all your friends have already signed leases. Also, it might take a hit to your friendship, so be prepared to suck up majorly. (If she is a good friend she will understand, and drop them if they don’t.)
- Play the parent card.
Say your parents won’t agree to cosign at this awful housing company again and you were offered a space and you went for it. Play dumb to the idea of renewing the lease with her.
- Give them options.
So maybe you can’t live together but maybe you can be neighbors. Find a group of people you love and live in close proximity to one another.
- Give them time.
Lease renewals go out in February. Do not wait until April to tell them you will not be living with them next year. It will cause anxiety for the both of you and although she is hard to live with, try not to screw her over. If all else fails, act completely crazy and give them a reason to not live with you next year. Loud alarms, messy habits, and invasion of space are great tactics to get rid of a roommate.
