Winton Eliott
No one said breaking up is easy, but it’s especially hard when you have to move out and figure out new living arrangements. If you’re the one initiating the breakup, your partner may not see it coming since you live together.
No matter what led to this point, knowing how to break up with someone you live with can help make things easier for everyone involved.
No matter the circumstance, breakups are tough to handle.
But when you have to break up with someone who also happens to be your roommate? Well, that just creates way more of a mess.
If you live with your partner, it’s only natural for your lives to become more intertwined.
So, if you ever find yourself in the position of needing to break up with them, you not only have to have that difficult conversation and mourn the loss of the relationship, but you also have to untangle your lives from each other.
And depending on who moves out, one of you may even need to look for a new place to live.
It’s a lot! Knowing how to break up with someone when you’re already living together is valuable information indeed – just in case.
There are several ways to break up with someone you live with that you need to take. It includes:
Sit down and have a conversation
No matter how you feel about the situation, it’s always best to sit down and have a conversation with your partner before making any decisions.
If you’re both on the same page, then you can start making plans for what comes next.
But if one of you is totally blindsided by the breakup, it’s important to give them a chance to talk through their feelings before making any decisions.
Read also: How to Know When to Let Go of a Relationship
Be honest with your partner about your decision to break up
If you can, try to avoid breaking up in the heat of the moment. Instead, sit down with your partner and explain calmly why you think it’s time to end the relationship.
This way, they can understand where you’re coming from and maybe even provide some closure for themselves.
Be respectful of your partner’s feelings
No matter what, you should always be respectful of your partner’s feelings – even if you think the breakup is for the best.
This doesn’t mean you need to sugarcoat things, but try to avoid being too harsh. If you can, try to find some middle ground where both of you can feel good about the situation.
Set up a time to have a conversation
When you’re trying to resolve a conflict, it’s essential to have a calm and constructive conversation. To set the stage for this, you’ll want to schedule a time when both parties are available and won’t be interrupted.
This way, you can each have a chance to share your side of the story and come up with a resolution together. Once you’ve had a productive conversation, you can start making plans for what comes next.
Read also: Do Breaks in Relationships Work
Make a plan for who will move out
If you’re both committed to breaking up, then you’ll need to figure out who will move out. If you have your own place, then it’s probably a no-brainer that you’ll be the one to leave.
But if you live together, it might not be so clear-cut. You’ll need to take into account things like who has the lease, who can afford to move, and who has a job that requires them to be in the same city.
Whatever you do, avoid just one person moving out without any sort of plan in place.
This can lead to all sorts of problems down the road, like one person not being able to pay their share of the rent or feeling like they were forced out of the apartment.
Talk to your landlord or property manager
If you’re renting an apartment or house, you’ll need to talk to your landlord or property manager about breaking your lease. In most cases, they’ll require you to find a new tenant to take over your lease.
But if you have a good relationship with them, they might be willing to work with you on finding a new place to live.
Get everything in writing
When you’re breaking up with someone, it’s important to get everything in writing.
This includes things like who will be responsible for paying the rent, how you’ll divide up your belongings, and what will happen to your lease.
By getting everything in writing, you can avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Read also: How to Save a Relationship
File for a restraining order if necessary
In some cases, it may be necessary to file for a restraining order. This is usually only the case if there’s been domestic violence or threats of violence.
But if you’re in this situation, it’s important to get help from a legal professional to make sure you’re taking all the necessary steps to protect yourself.
Breaking up is never easy, but it’s especially difficult when you’re already living together. By following these tips, you can make the process as smooth and painless as possible.
