Settle the dishes, the bills and the guests before anyone gets annoyed.
Is smoking/vaping allowed inside or on the balcony?
Most roommate fights are about things nobody discussed at the start. How long can a dish sit in the sink? Is sharing food allowed, or do we label everything? What happens if someone loses a key? Who waters the plants?
Go through the deck in your first week together, or before you sign the lease, and write down what you agree on. It ends with the bigger question: do you want to be best friends, or two people who live together well?
What is the maximum acceptable time for a dish to sit in the sink?
How much notice is required before a romantic guest stays over?
What is the ideal thermostat setting, and is it negotiable?
What is a small household habit that drives you absolutely crazy?
Are we doing a cleaning schedule or "clean as you go"?
Is sharing food allowed, or do we label everything?
What are the quiet hours in this house?
Toilet seat up or down? Lid closed?
What is an acceptable length for a shower?
How do we split bills? Venmo, Splitwise, or cash?
How do we decide on decorations for common areas?
How often can we host parties here?
What is the protocol if someone loses a key?
Who takes out the trash and when?
Are pets allowed? If so, who takes care of them?
Can I borrow your clothes/stuff without asking?
What does a closed door mean to you?
How do we handle conflicts? Text or face-to-face?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Are scented candles/incense allowed?
Is smoking/vaping allowed inside or on the balcony?
Shoes on or off inside the house?
What happens if someone leaves clothes in the washer for days?
Do we buy basics (oil, salt, TP) together?
Do we lock the door every time we leave, even for a minute?
Who controls the TV remote in the living room?
Can we rearrange the furniture?
What is the one chore you absolutely hate doing?
What is the one chore you don't mind doing?
Does anyone have severe allergies we need to know about?
How loud is too loud for music?
Do you take calls on speakerphone in common areas?
Do you snooze your alarm 10 times in the morning?
What is the best way to approach you if I'm annoyed?
Are we comfortable with strangers/Tinder dates coming over?
Do we decorate for holidays?
Who waters the plants?
When is it okay to throw out old food from the fridge?
Who buys the toilet paper?
Do you work from home? Where?
What are your typical hours in/out of the house?
Who do we call in a household emergency?
How do we manage parking spots?
Is subletting the room allowed if you travel?
What is the most important thing for a harmonious home?
Should we have a roommate dinner/night once a month?
Are there any dietary restrictions (e.g. vegan kitchen)?
Is this a "dry" house or a party house?
Where do we put incoming mail?
How do we divide storage space in the kitchen?
How often should we check in on how things are going?
How much notice before moving out?
If you break a glass, do you replace it?
Do we split the fastest internet available?
Would you pay for a cleaner once a month?
What is your weirdest living habit?
What are you dreading most about living together?
What are you most excited about?
What is an absolute dealbreaker for you?
Do you want to be best friends or just co-habitators?
Going through every card takes about 25–40 min, but there's no need to finish in one sitting. The deck runs in your browser with nothing to install, and your place is saved on this device, so you can stop and pick it up later.