Check for a quiet enjoyment clause in your lease at The Park Lakeside so that you can enjoy your communal space in peace.
When you're looking for an apartment in Athens, you want somewhere that you can relax in. Your apartment is your home; it needs to be a place you can work, play, and rest after a long day. Many inclusive apartments near UGA cater to the needs of their tenants, but sometimes you can find the perfect apartment and still have issues if you get a noisy or disrespectful roommate. If you find yourself in this situation, or you're worried about getting along with potential roommates, read this article for tips on how to resolve your issues in a way that's respectful to all parties.
Avoiding problems in your UGA apartment
To start with, many apartments offer roommate matching services that help you find a compatible roommate before you move in. This lets you avoid potential compatibility problems before they happen, such as smoking and drinking habits, study schedules, and pets, if your apartment is pet friendly. Even if your apartment doesn't have such a service, it's a good idea to set expectations at the start of your lease. Don't be afraid to tell your roommates about your schedule and request quiet during the parts of the day you'll be working at home. That way, if your roommates and you have disagreeing schedules, you can sort things out beforehand rather than getting into an argument when you both have to use your shared space.
Solving problems in your UGA apartment
If you're already having problems, it's not too late to sit down with your roommates and ask to hammer out a schedule. Ask them if there's anything they can do to be a little quieter during your requested times. Try to be realistic depending on what the issue is; for example, if your roommate's dog won't stop barking, ask them to get their pet under control and suggest taking their dog to training. If they play their music too loud, ask them to wear earbuds. If they're hosting parties that keep you up, ask them to host at a different location next time. Above all, be respectful and kind, even if you're frustrated. If you approach from a place of understanding, your roommate is more likely to sympathize and try to find a middle ground. It's okay to still be firm in your request, as long as you're not being rude, accusatory, or patronizing.
Last resorts
If you've tried the diplomatic method and your roommate is still being too noisy, it's time to look at last resort options. One thing you can do if your roommate is obviously disturbing the peace at your apartment is to go to your landlord. You'll have a stronger case if your neighbors can back you up. Most apartments have a quiet enjoyment clause in their lease stating that tenants that continuously disturb the peace can be evicted. It's also a good idea to go to your neighbors to see if your roommates' noises are affecting them, too. If your roommate refuses to listen to you, interference from the neighbors may be enough to convince them they need to quiet down.