Cohabitant vs. Roommate — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 14, 2024
Cohabitant refers to someone sharing a living space, often with emotional or legal ties, while a roommate is specifically a person sharing a room or house, typically on a rental basis.
Difference Between Cohabitant and Roommate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cohabitants often share a living space that includes emotional or familial bonds, possibly including romantic partnerships or family living arrangements. On the other hand, roommates usually share housing primarily for practical reasons such as cost-sharing, without necessarily having personal or emotional connections.
Cohabitants might co-own property or intertwine their lives in ways that affect their legal status, such as domestic partnerships. Whereas roommates are typically bound by a lease or agreement with no legal obligations beyond renting.
In terms of daily life, cohabitants often share responsibilities and expenses as a part of their commitment to each other. Conversely, roommates might split costs and chores more formally based on individual agreements.
Privacy norms can differ significantly; cohabitants generally have fewer boundaries due to their close personal relationships. In contrast, roommates maintain individual privacy, especially in common living areas.
The duration of the living arrangement can also vary; cohabitants might live together indefinitely due to their relationship, while roommates often have a temporary setup, limited by lease terms or until personal circumstances change.
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Comparison Chart
Emotional ties
Often present, may include familial or romantic ties
Usually none, primarily practical reasons
Legal implications
May have legal implications (e.g., common-law marriage)
Generally limited to lease agreements
Financial sharing
Expenses and finances often pooled
Typically split costs strictly
Privacy
Less emphasis on privacy within the home
Higher emphasis on individual privacy
Duration
Often indefinite, based on relationship longevity
Usually temporary, defined by lease
Compare with Definitions
Cohabitant
A person who lives with another typically in a romantic or familial relationship.
John and Lisa are cohabitants and have been living together for five years.
Roommate
A co-dweller in a rental situation, often with a formal agreement.
Roommates often divide the rent and utility bills evenly.
Cohabitant
Someone who shares living quarters as part of a committed relationship.
Many cohabitants decide to eventually marry or enter civil partnerships.
Roommate
Someone who shares common living areas while maintaining personal spaces.
Although they are roommates, they rarely see each other due to different schedules.
Cohabitant
A member of a household with a blend of shared responsibilities.
Cohabitants often collaborate on decorating their shared space.
Roommate
A temporary co-resident, usually until the lease expires.
He plans to move out after his roommate agreement ends next year.
Cohabitant
An occupant of a dwelling who is not just a tenant.
Unlike mere roommates, cohabitants often plan their long-term financial goals together.
Roommate
A person who shares a room or apartment with another or others.
She found her roommate through an online ad.
Cohabitant
An individual sharing a home with emotional or legal ties to the other occupants.
As cohabitants, they share health insurance benefits.
Roommate
An individual who lives in the same residence but usually without emotional ties.
My roommate and I keep separate groceries.
Cohabitant
To coexist, as animals of different species.
Roommate
A roommate is a person with whom one shares a living facility such as a room or dormitory except when being family or romantically involved. Similar terms include dormmate, suitemate, housemate, or flatmate ("flat": the usual term in British English for an apartment).
Cohabitant
A person who cohabits with another
Roommate
A person with whom one shares a room or rooms.
Cohabitant
One who dwells with another, or in the same place or country.
No small number of the Danes became peaceable cohabitants with the Saxons in England.
Roommate
A person with whom one shares a room, as at university, etc.
Roommate
A person (UK: flatmate, housemate, AU: sharemate) sharing the same home (sharehome).
Roommate
One of two or more occupying the same room or rooms; one who shares the occupancy of a room or rooms; a chum.
Roommate
An associate who shares a room with you
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between a cohabitant and a roommate?
The main difference lies in the emotional or legal ties; cohabitants often have these, while roommates do not.
Is it common for cohabitants to have a contract?
While not as common as roommates having a lease, some cohabitants may have legal agreements, especially in domestic partnerships.
How do privacy norms differ between cohabitants and roommates?
Cohabitants tend to have fewer privacy norms due to their close relationships, while roommates maintain more privacy.
What legal status can cohabitants have?
Cohabitants can sometimes be recognized as common-law partners, depending on local laws.
Can cohabitants just be friends?
Yes, friends can be cohabitants, especially if they share living arrangements long-term and integrate their lives.
Are roommates always friends?
Not necessarily; while some roommates are friends, others share space purely for practical reasons.
Is it cheaper to be a cohabitant or a roommate?
This depends on individual circumstances, but cohabitants might save more by pooling resources fully.
Do cohabitants share finances more often than roommates?
Generally, yes, cohabitants are more likely to pool their finances due to their closer relationships.
Can a roommate become a cohabitant?
Yes, if roommates develop a personal relationship or legal ties, they can become cohabitants.
How long do roommates typically live together?
The duration often depends on the lease agreement, usually one year, but it can vary.
What rights do roommates have if one wants to move out?
Roommates' rights are usually governed by their lease; typically, they must find a replacement or continue paying rent until the lease ends.
What is a benefit of having a roommate?
Financial savings from shared expenses and company are common benefits.
Can a roommate agreement include chores?
Yes, many roommates set up agreements to divide chores along with financial responsibilities.
What happens if cohabitants break up?
The breakup can be legally complex, similar to a divorce, depending on their legal status and shared assets.
Are cohabitants considered family?
In many cases, yes, especially if they are in a romantic relationship or have children together.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
