Deciding that you and a close friend will look for an apartment and move in together can be an exciting time. When you go through the process of apartment hunting, moving, and getting settled in, it's important to devote some time to think about being a good roommate. There are a number of etiquette tips to keep in mind that extend beyond the sensible ideas of cleaning up after yourself and not throwing a party when your roommate is studying, for example. Here are some etiquette tips that you might not have yet considered, but that will make the process of living in your newly rented apartment more enjoyable for both of you.

Schedule Tasks Such As Cleaning And Laundry

It's generally a good idea to make a schedule with your roommate as soon as you move into your new apartment together. Having a schedule for cleaning and laundry will help things go smoothly. For cleaning, divide the necessary tasks in half and set a schedule so that you perform one set of chores one week while your roommate performs the other half of the chores, and then switch the following week. This way, your new apartment will stay clean — which will prevent unnecessary conflicts. It's also a good idea to schedule doing your laundry so that you both don't try to do it at the same time.

Replace Things When You Finish Them

One of the potential sources of conflict when you have an apartment roommate is going to get or use something, only to find that your roommate has finished it up. This can often occur with food, but can also occur with cleaning supplies and other household items. If you drink the last bottle of soda from the fridge, make it a priority to buy another case the next time you're out. Likewise, if you use up the container of bleach while doing your laundry, buy another jug as soon as you can.

Communicate About Visitors

It's considerate to let your roommate know when you'll be having people over to the apartment, especially if they're staying overnight. It's an unpleasant surprise to be lounging in your PJs on a Friday night, only to hear a knock at the apartment door and find out half a dozen friends of your roommate are coming over. A simple text message or message left on a note on your roommate's door will go a long way toward being considerate.