Roommate Chore Chart: How to Make One + Free Template

Roommate chore charts are a simple method to split up household duties. And making one is fairly simple: just gather round the table, list out all the chores, and divvy them up.

A roommate chore chart can be your saving grace when your roomie forgets (yet again) to put the dishes away. No adult wants to be micromanaged by their roommate, which is why a chore chart can save a lot of frustration and help you avoid conflict.

In this guide, we’ll explain what a chore chart is, why dividing chores equally matters, and how to create one step by step, along with tips for accountability and answers to common questions.

What Is a Chore Chart?

A chore chart is a list of domestic household tasks that assigns responsibilities to each person in your home. Chores can include household tasks that need to be done on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.

Chore charts can be used in households with multiple members, such as those living with roommates, partners, or families with children.

Why Should Roommates Split Chores Equally?

If you live with roommates, some members may be taking on more work than others. A chore chart can help address that and ensure each roommate is pulling their weight.

When domestic tasks are split equally and evenly, there’s no room for resentment, anger, or frustration to take hold. Instead, all the roommates can feel pleased that each task is completed on time each week.

What Are the Steps to Make a Roommate Chore Chart?

Here are four simple steps to creating a fair and effective chore chart:

1. Discuss Standards and Expectations

If you’re living with roommates, you likely grew up in homes with different expectations and standards for cleanliness. That means the first thing you need to do is get on the same page about what is expected in the world of chores and what “clean” really means.

For example, does the bathroom have to be cleaned every few days, or is once a week enough for household members? Or, do dishes have to be washed immediately after a meal, or can they be left in the sink for a few hours?

Hash out everything regarding chores, including what should be done daily, weekly, or monthly. Decide as a team what’s expected of every household member and whether you’d prefer to hire a cleaning service. If hiring a cleaner, what types of chores still need to be done?

After you’ve agreed on what the daily, weekly, and monthly chores are, add them to your roommate agreement.

2. Write It All Down (on a Master Chore Chart Doc)

Now's the time to write it all down in a master doc. Create a master list of all the chores that need to be done, categorizing them by a daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis. The list should include everything, from group chores to personal tasks.

Common chores to include:

• Daily: washing dishes, wiping counters, tidying common areas
• Weekly: vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, taking out trash
• Monthly/Seasonal: dusting, deep-cleaning appliances, organizing closets

3. Split up the Chores

Everyone should have an equal amount of chores, whether determined by time or intensity. For example, roommates should have an equal amount of weekly, daily, and monthly chores to ensure fairness. Discuss what type of chores work best for you and allow your roommates to chime in with their strengths and weaknesses.

There are various ways to assign tasks to the master chore list:

• Weekly rotation: You can split chores up into groups. Group 1 can clean the bathrooms and take out the trash, and Group 2 can clean the dishes, kitchen, and floors. Groups should be rotated so everyone is doing the jobs equally.
• Random chore assignments: Random assignments should be very random. Write down the list of chores, and everyone takes one or two assignments. Whatever they pull out is their job for the week.
• Roommates choose based on strengths: Maybe you’re a dishwashing savant and hate sweeping, while your roomie, Ronaldo, loves the sweet sound of the vacuum and hates being elbow-deep in suds. In situations like these, you may want to assign roommates' chores based on their strengths. Choose chores based on your strengths and be sure to check in every couple of months to ensure everyone’s still happy with their role.

Whichever route you choose, add it to your roommate agreement and display the chore chart where everyone can see it.

4. Create an Agreement for Accountability

Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room: how will you collectively hold everyone accountable for completing their chores each day/week/month? What are the rules of engagement for checking in with each other?

Questions you can ask to decide on appropriate accountability strategies:

• Will you check in weekly?
• Can roommates remind each other if chores are missed?
• Should missed chores carry over into the next week?

Always be clear in your communication with each other to avoid resentment or frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roommate Chore Charts

What chores should be done weekly?

Chores such as sweeping/vacuuming, taking out the trash or recycling, mopping, and dusting are typical weekly chores.

Which household chores have to be done daily?

Household tasks such as keeping the dishes and sink clear, cleaning counters, and ensuring the toilets are clean are common daily chores.

What should be on a chore chart?

A roommate chore chart should include everything that should be done to keep your home clean. This includes mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, taking out the trash and recycling, cleaning bathrooms, maintaining a clean sink and dishes, keeping the house tidy, and wiping down counters after cooking.

Is there a downside to a chore chart?

Chore charts may not work for all of your roommates and may make some participants feel like they’re being micromanaged. Avoid this by holding monthly meetings to discuss expectations and taking the time to address any grievances, finding solutions that work for the entire household.