ROOMMATES The people you live with will have a significant affect on your University experience. Your roommate relationships will influence your studying, your social activities and your overall happiness during your college years. Make the best of your situation by taking steps to assure a good roommate experience. Learning to tolerate each other's differences without infringing on another's freedoms can be a valuable part of your education.   Choosing A Roommate Because roommates are such a significant part of your happiness, it is important to select them carefully by considering such issues as study habits, sleeping and eating habits, neatness, personality, and attitudes towards smoking, drinking, and overnight guests.   Roommate Referral Service To help you find a compatible roommate, the Student Information Center has developed a Roommate Referral Service. Through the service you may fill out a Roommate Information Form as well as look through the existing files completed by other students who need roommates.   Tenancy Contract Roommates' rights and obligations to each other are not defined in a lease. A lease is an agreement of obligations between the landlord and tenant, but does not define the obligations between roommates. Leases almost always state that tenants are jointly and severally responsible for the entire rent. This means if one roommate leaves, the remaining roommate or roommates are responsible for the entire rent. The Student Information Center recommends the use of a Tenancy Contract (or Roommate Agreement) which is available at the Center. The Tenancy Contract defines in writing each roommate's obligations concerning rent, utilities, telephone, deposits, etc. The Tenancy Contract can be used as evidence in a court of law if one roommate breaks the contract and moves out, leaving the remaining person(s) to pay all rent and bills. Back