Is your roommate’s boyfriend over so often it feels like you have a third roommate? Having someone else in your space can be annoying, especially when they’re not paying rent. Fortunately, by talking to your roommate you can set clear boundaries and work on a solution. Read through this article for a comprehensive list of tips that you can use when talking to your roommate about how often their boyfriend is over.

2

Use “I” statements.

  1. Focus on how you feel to avoid making your roommate defensive. When you’re describing the issue at hand, try not to assign any blame or make it sound like your roommate is at fault. Instead, talk about how you’ve been feeling and what emotions you’re going through lately.[2] For instance:[3]
    • “When your boyfriend is over all the time, I feel like I can’t relax in my own space.”
    • “Having your boyfriend over 24/7 makes me feel like I’m living with 2 roommates instead of 1.”
3

Explain why you’re bothered.

  1. Make it clear why you have an issue with their boyfriend being over. Maybe he eats your food, hogs the bathroom, or takes over the communal space in your home. Whatever it is, spell it out clearly so that your roommate knows exactly where you’re coming from. For example:[4]
    • “It’s not that I don’t like Jeremy, because I do. But when I’m trying to get ready for work and he’s in the shower for 45 minutes, it makes me a little angry.”
    • “When we buy groceries, we only buy them for 2 people. When Henry is over all the time, we run out of food way faster, which isn’t fair to me.”
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4

Set clear boundaries.

  1. Let your roommate know what you are and aren’t okay with. Maybe you’re fine with their boyfriend coming over 2 or 3 times a week, but not every night. Or, maybe it’s okay for him to stay over whenever, but he can’t eat your food or hog the bathroom anymore. It’s up to you to decide your boundaries, but make sure your roommate knows what they are.[5]
    • “Could we limit how often your boyfriend stays the night? Maybe you could go to his place every other day instead of always being here.”
    • “If he’s going to eat our food, he needs to contribute to the grocery bill. I can’t afford to feed an extra person.”
5

Listen to your roommate.

  1. Let your roommate speak their mind from their perspective.[6] T here might be reasons why their boyfriend is over so often or why your roommate doesn’t love going to his place. Listen to your roommate and try to understand them, but don’t back down about setting your boundaries.[7]
    • Make eye contact and nod along as your roommate talks so they know you’re listening.
    • Try to practice reflective listening skills, where you repeat back what your roommate is saying to make sure you understand.[8]
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6

Work together to find a solution.

  1. Come to a conclusion that you can both live with. You might not get exactly what you want, and your roommate might not, either. However, you can both throw out suggestions and come up with an agreement that works for the both of you. You don’t have to be best friends at the end of this, but you do have to live together still.[9]
    • For instance, if your roommate wants their boyfriend over every day but you’d prefer twice a week, you could compromise and say he can come over every other day.
    • If your roommate wants your boyfriend to have free rein of the house but you’d rather he not be in the common areas, you could make a schedule where he’s allowed to hang out in the living room a few times a week instead of every day.
8

Ask the boyfriend to pay rent if he can’t limit his visits.

  1. Suggest that the boyfriend pay his share if he’s living with you two. If he’s over almost all the time, he’s essentially a second roommate. If your roommate doesn’t want to limit how often their boyfriend stays over, suggest that he start contributing to rent and utilities. That way, if he uses the hot water or eats some of the food, he’s actually paying for it.[11]
    • Say something like, “I’m fine with him coming over, but I think he should start contributing to the bills. He uses the living space as much as we do, so he should probably pay a portion of the rent.”
    • You could also suggest that he contributes to bills, like household items or cleaning supplies.
10

Get a third-party involved to facilitate conversation.

  1. If you and your roommate can’t work it out, a mediator can help. If you’re living in a college dorm, talk to your RA about helping you and your roommate talk things out together. If you’re in an apartment, ask a friend or a loved one to help you come up with solutions. Fighting with a roommate isn’t easy, and outside support can help make things go a little smoother.[13]
    • If things really blow up, you can always ask your landlord about the rules around guests in the lease. Many leases specify that guests (or people who aren’t on the lease) can only stay the night 2 to 3 times per week.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Why do boundaries matter?
    Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. Kelli also facilitates groups for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction as well as anger management groups. She is the author of “Professor Kelli’s Guide to Finding a Husband” and the award-winning and best-selling book “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and is a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.
    Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
    Psychotherapist
    Expert Answer
    Having boundaries helps prevent resentment in a given relationship! It's so important to know your own personal boundaries, and also to have boundaries within a relationship. Everyone has different needs and experiences, and it's really important to communicate those clearly.
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About This Article

Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
Co-authored by:
Psychotherapist
This article was co-authored by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. Kelli also facilitates groups for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction as well as anger management groups. She is the author of “Professor Kelli’s Guide to Finding a Husband” and the award-winning and best-selling book “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and is a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. This article has been viewed 22,424 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 25, 2022
Views: 22,424

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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