First Month With New Roommates Checklist

Week 1: Getting Settled

Your first week sets the foundation. Complete the move-in walk-through and document existing conditions with photos. Set up all utilities and make sure the internet is working. Exchange emergency contacts with all roommates. Download HomeCo and add everyone to the household. Create your first grocery run list for shared essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and trash bags. Have the first house meeting to discuss basic expectations.

Week 2: Establishing Systems

Create a roommate agreement covering rent, utilities, chores, guests, and quiet hours. Set up the chore schedule in HomeCo with specific tasks, assignments, and due dates. Establish how shared grocery shopping will work — who shops, how costs are split, and what's shared versus personal. Agree on kitchen and fridge organization — whose shelf is whose, what's communal, and labeling rules.

Week 3: Fine-Tuning

By week three, you'll notice what's working and what isn't. Adjust the chore schedule if certain tasks need more or less frequency. Discuss any annoyances that have come up — do it now before they become resentments. Set up a monthly expense settlement date. Test your guest policy with the first overnight visitor and discuss how it went afterward.

Week 4: Review and Commit

Have a proper sit-down review of how the first month went. What's working well? What needs to change? Update the roommate agreement with any new insights. Confirm everyone is happy with the expense tracking system. Set a schedule for regular check-ins going forward — weekly for the next month, then biweekly or monthly after that.

Ready to make shared living easier? Download the HomeCo app to split expenses, manage chores, and communicate with your roommates — all in one place. Available free on iOS and Android.