Moving Roommates: A Survival Guide to Splitting Up (Your Stuff, Not Your Friendship)

Roommates unpacking and drinking coffee.

Moving is stressful on its own—add roommates into the mix, and things can get complicated fast. Whether you’re parting ways or heading to new places together, shared belongings, split responsibilities, and poor communication can turn a simple move into a full-blown hassle.

The good news? A little planning goes a long way.

Here’s how to keep your roommate’s move organized, fair, and friction-free.

Talk First, Not Last

Don’t wait until moving day to figure out who gets the blender. Sit down at least a few weeks in advance and sort out the details: what’s shared, what’s individually owned, and how you’ll handle utilities and services.

Your conversation should cover:

Move-out timelines
Ownership of shared items (e.g. furniture, appliances, décor)
Who’s handling account cancellations (WiFi, utilities, renters insurance)
Any cleaning or damage repair responsibilities

If there’s any uncertainty about who owns what, now’s the time to dig up those receipts or Venmo records. Getting clarity upfront saves tension later.

Divide and Pack Efficiently

Once responsibilities are sorted, focus on making the packing process clean and clear.

Use your names on boxes if you’re moving from a shared apartment, especially if movers will be dropping off at more than one location. If you’re all heading to separate places, don’t assume someone else will know what goes where.

A few quick tips:

Label everything clearly, including rooms or destination addresses
Use a shared checklist to track what’s packed and what’s left
Pack your personal essentials separately—don’t rely on shared boxes for basics

Roommate moves often happen in overlapping waves, so keeping your things clearly marked avoids confusion when the truck arrives. Moving into a dorm with roommates? Check out our in-depth blog here.

Plan for Multi-Stop Drop-Offs During Your Move

If you and your roommates are heading to different destinations, let your movers know early. Professional moving companies like BMS can accommodate multi-stop moves, but advance notice helps us schedule more efficiently—and saves you time and cost.

During booking, be ready to share:

Addresses for all drop-off locations
Preferred delivery order (if applicable)
Time restrictions for any buildings or elevators

We’ll coordinate logistics to ensure everyone’s belongings arrive at the right place, on time.

What If One of You Needs Storage During Your Move?

It’s common for one roommate to move into a new place immediately, while another needs to bridge a short-term gap. When timelines don’t line up, short-term storage is the best solution.

BMS offers secure, climate-controlled storage with flexible access. Whether you need storage for a week or a few months, we can keep your items safe until you’re ready to move in.

Roommates unpacking their boxes in a home.

Avoid These Common Mistakes While Moving With Roommates

Roommate moves come with their own unique pitfalls. Here are the ones we see most often—and how to avoid them:

No plan for shared items: Avoid last-minute arguments by deciding in advance who gets what.
No one cancels utilities: Don’t assume it’s handled—confirm.
Overlapping packing: Coordinate packing days so you’re not tripping over each other.
Ghosting on move day: It happens. Don’t be that person.
No one cleans: You risk losing the deposit if you leave behind a mess.

Roomates having a chat.

Moving With Roommates Doesn’t Have to Be a Mess

A successful roommate move comes down to communication, coordination, and clarity. Whether you’re splitting up an apartment or moving together into a new one, a little structure prevents a lot of stress.

At BMS Moving & Storage, we’ve helped thousands of roommates transition smoothly, with or without the drama. Let us handle the logistics, so you can focus on what’s next.