Tips for moving into a house or apartment

After living in the dorms, you probably have a good grasp on getting along with a roommate, managing money and cleaning up after yourself. But when you move to an apartment or a house, these matters become especially vital. Read on for tips on easing your transition to off-campus living.

Do not handle all the bills yourself. Assign each roommate to write the check for a particular utility: one roommate handles electric, another gas, another cable and Internet, etc. Dividing a bill, writing a check, sticking on a stamp and walking to the mailbox might not seem like a hassle. However, such elementary matters often occur when you're swamped with schoolwork (and partying). Try to limit each roommate to just one bill, if you can. Of course, everyone pays equally, unless you decide on another arrangement.

Be upfront rather than passive-aggressive. After living in a tight dorm room, you likely know exactly what ticks a roommate off and also what bugs you. When you're living in an apartment or house, you may have more space, but you'll still need to communicate. Be upfront about anything that's bothering you (dishes left in the sink or too many overnight visitors, for example) rather than letting resentment build.

Communicate any concerns with your landlord. If something isn't working correctly, be sure to contact your landlord immediately. Also, when you first move in, make note of anything that appears to be off-kilter or missing, such as a curtain rod. Check for stains and holes in the carpet too, so you won't be charged for these later.

Get rid of anything you don't need. Now that you have your own bathroom, you probably don't need a shower caddy or a designated pair of shower shoes. Donate anything that's just taking up space.

Discuss your money concerns. Often, one roommate is more frivolous with spending, while another is more frugal. Conflicts over money can arise. Perhaps one person wants to paint the living room or buy a new futon decorations that everyone will benefit from but perhaps only one person wants. Should everyone have to pay? Honesty is key to resolving this type of issue. If you don't want to pay, say so from the get-go.

Be respectful of your neighbors. In a dorm, the resident assistant can save the day by telling a rowdy student to put the electric guitar to rest. In an apartment or house, you're on your own. Of course, be understanding of the occasional loud music or rambunctious fun occurring next door. However, don't be afraid to ask the neighbors to simmer down if it's early in the morning and you've got a final at 8 a.m. And, naturally, be mindful of your own partying as well.

Keep a dry-erase board on the fridge. Some people consider Post-It notes to be a bit of a nag. Try placing a memo board on your refrigerator so roommates can jot down any reminders, such as "Cable/Internet is $18 each" or "Nobody eat my leftover pizza."

Establish a system for organizing food. Whether it be assigning each person to a different cabinet or using colored stickers, find a way to distinguish one another's food. Nothing's worse than coming back from class ravenous and finding that your roommate ate the last bit of turkey your only sandwich fixing without asking.

And, perhaps the most important thing. Pay your rent on time. Really. Just do it.