Successful roommate relationships require a matching of personalities, living habits and cleaning standards. When these requirements do not match, it may become necessary to end a roommate relationship. If your roommate has proven to be a person you no longer can live with, initiating the conversation that you wish to end the relationship is difficult but necessary. Give your roommate enough notice to move items out and find a new place to live.
Step 1
Set a time and place for you and your roommate to talk.
Step 2
Free the meeting place of distractions. For example, turn off the television or radio. Keep the focus completely on the conversation at hand, especially if you fear your roommate may try to change the topic.
Step 3
Explain your concerns about remaining roommates. Perhaps you have asked for the situation to change, yet it did not. Do not discuss these matters in an accusatory manner but instead explain based on how the actions made you feel, how they are affecting you and perhaps your personal items.
Step 4
Tell your roommate that these factors have led you to the conclusion that you can no longer continue to live together. Give your roommate a time frame to move out. If you suspect your roommate may have a negative reaction, consider providing her with a written request to move out, the online resource TenantNet advises.
Step 5
Listen to your roommate's response. You have asked for his time and attention and it is fair to hear his side. However, if this response is negative, it is best to end the conversation, particularly if your decision is final.
Step 6
Agree upon a mutual plan of action, including when you can expect your roommate to move out and any other stipulations that should be made to disband the roommate relationship, the Student Legal Services office at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign recommends.
Step 7
Notify your landlord that your roommate will be moving out; if you have another roommate that wishes to move in, your landlord may need to first approve the person, notes the consumer-information site Move.com.
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