Last Updated on September 24, 2025 by Matt Staff
Living with someone can be amazing or completely chaotic. Sometimes the problem isn’t your roommate, it’s you. Little habits that seem harmless at first, like leaving dishes in the sink, hogging the bathroom, or blasting music late at night, can quickly make you infamous around the apartment.
Even small annoyances, like mysterious fridge smells, borrowed clothes that never return, or constant messes in shared spaces, can add up. If you’ve ever wondered whether your behavior might be driving your housemates crazy, here are 20 signs you might be the kind of roommate everyone secretly complains about.
1. Letting your dishes “soak”
Everyone knows someone who claims soaking the dishes makes them easier to clean. Piling up dirty dishes makes the kitchen messy and uninviting. Over time, it can attract bugs and create unpleasant smells.
2. Hogging the bathroom
Spending too much time in the bathroom, especially during busy mornings, can frustrate everyone else in the house. Simple things like being mindful of schedules or letting others know when you need extra time can make living together smoother.
3. Bringing guests over without notice
No roommate wants to be caught off guard in their dinosaur pajamas. Surprise visitors might make roommates feel uncomfortable or intrude on their personal space. Giving a heads-up shows respect and helps everyone feel more at ease in their home.
4. Borrowing things without asking
Taking clothes, food, or other items without permission can make roommates feel disrespected. Clear communication and asking first prevent unnecessary conflict.
5. Leaving lights on
Forgetting to turn off lights might seem minor, but it can be annoying and increase electricity bills. If you’re splitting the energy bill, make sure to kill the lights to keep your other roommates happy.
6. Not cleaning up after meals
It might not seem like a big deal, but leaving behind crumbs or protein powder can make the kitchen seem filthy. Give the counters and table a quick wipe down after use to appease your roommates.
7. Being chronically late on rent or bills
Not paying your share on time can create financial stress and strain relationships. Planning ahead and communicating if there’s a delay can ease some stress on both parties in the house.
8. Hoarding shared spaces
Taking over the living room or kitchen cabinets with your stuff makes the space feel cramped. Sharing space fairly helps everyone feel comfortable and respected in their home.
9. Smoking indoors
Unless you’ve cleared it with everyone in the house that it’s cool to smoke indoors, it’s best to avoid it. Smoking inside can leave lingering odors and affect the health of your roommates. Stepping outside for a smoke shows consideration for others.
10. Having strong or lingering odors
Things like burning incense or strong personal smells can make shared spaces unpleasant. Being aware of how your scent affects others can improve your relationships with your roommates.
11. Leaving your laundry in the machine
There should be a rule that if you leave your laundry in the machine for more than 24 hours, it becomes fair game. If you do laundry in a shared machine, do everyone else a favor and make it timely.
12. Ignoring noise rules
Playing music, talking loudly, or stomping at inconvenient hours disrupts others’ routines. Being aware of noise levels, especially at night, and asking your roommate what they’re schedule is like the next day can save a relationship.
13. Leaving uncovered food in the fridge
I genuinely don’t understand how people think it’s sanitary to leave an uncovered plate in the fridge. Do yourself and everyone else you live with a favor and invest in some Tupperware; this way, your fridge doesn’t smell like a McDonald’s.
14. Being inconsiderate with shared furniture or items
If you break something that’s someone else’s, you buy it. Damaging or misusing things everyone shares shows a lack of respect. Treating shared property carefully keeps everyone happy.
15. Leaving hair everywhere
Leaving shavings in the sink or hair in the shower drain should be punishable by death. Please don’t force your roommates to clean up your hair for you; do it yourself.
16. Forgetting to lock the door
Leaving the apartment unlocked can make everyone feel unsafe. A little caution goes a long way toward protecting both your roommates and their belongings.
17. Using other people’s toiletries
Grabbing your roommate’s shampoo, soap, or toothpaste without asking may seem small, but it adds up and seems disrespectful. Sticking to your own supplies avoids unnecessary tension.
18. Having bad hygiene
Good hygiene is essential when living with others. Neglecting showers, laundry, or basic cleanliness can make the apartment smell bad and seem gross.
19. Not being considerate with heating or cooling
Blasting the heat or air conditioning without asking can make others uncomfortable and run up the bills. Talking about temperature preferences keeps everyone happy.
20. Not restocking essentials
No one likes to be stranded on the toilet with no toilet paper in the house. Using the last of the toilet paper, paper towels, or dish soap without replacing it leaves others angry. Being mindful about replenishing basics makes others in the house feel respected.
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