How to set up a fair chore chart for roommates
Chores cause nearly as many arguments between roommates as money does. "I always take out the trash" and "the dishes are on me again" are heard in every home without a rota.
A good chore chart makes it clear who does what and when. Here are three methods, a sample chart and tips to keep it working.
List the jobs first
Write down everything that needs doing and group it by frequency:
| Frequency | Jobs |
|---|---|
| Daily | Dishes, wiping the kitchen counter |
| 1-2 times a week | Taking out the trash, vacuuming, laundry |
| Weekly | Bathroom and toilet, tidying common areas |
| Monthly | Cleaning the fridge, deep clean, windows |
Seeing the full list makes it much easier to judge the workload and divide it.
Method 1: A rotating schedule
Each job passes to the next person in turn: trash this week is Alex, next week Sam, then Jordan. The most common and simplest method.
- Pro: everyone does every job, nobody is stuck with the worst one.
- Con: you need to track whose turn it is.
Method 2: Fixed jobs
Each person owns a job permanently: one does bathrooms, one the kitchen, one the trash. People get quicker at their own job, but some jobs are heavier, which can feel unfair. Swap every three months if needed.
Method 3: A points system
Each job gets points by difficulty (bathroom 5, trash 1, dishes 2) and everyone aims for the same total each month. It is the fairest when jobs vary widely in effort, but setting it up and tracking it takes work.
A sample weekly chart
| Week | Trash | Bathroom | Kitchen and floors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Alex | Sam | Jordan |
| Week 2 | Sam | Jordan | Alex |
| Week 3 | Jordan | Alex | Sam |
| Week 4 | Alex | Sam | Jordan |
Tips to make it work
- Put the chart where everyone sees it; don't leave it to one person to remember.
- Mark jobs as done; it ends "I did it" / "you didn't" arguments.
- Someone who can't do their job asks for a swap in advance, not at the last minute.
- Write down the standard everyone agrees to (for example "dishes are washed the same day").
- Review it monthly and rebalance if one person is overloaded.
Examples by household size
- 2 people: split the jobs in two, with a weekly rotation ("this week you do kitchen, I do bathroom").
- 3-4 people: a weekly rotating chart is the most practical; the table above fits this.
- 5 or more: group jobs and form teams of two or three that rotate each week. A points system also works well here.
A roommate who skips their jobs
Start by talking kindly: are they forgetful, struggling, or is the system the problem? Then adjust the plan to suit them (a lighter job, a fixed day). If that doesn't work, use the consequence in your house rules at a house meeting. The goal is not blame; it is a working system.
Chore rota in the app
In Ev Ortağım you can add jobs such as trash, dishes and cleaning as daily, weekly or monthly. The person whose turn it is sees it on the home screen and gets a reminder; when the job is done they tap "Done" and the turn moves on. Who did what and when stays in the history.
Frequently asked questions
How do roommates make a cleaning schedule?
List the jobs by frequency, set up a rotating schedule, put the chart where everyone can see it and mark jobs as they are done. Review it once a month.
What if one roommate doesn't do their chores?
Agree on a consequence in advance (an extra job next week, or a swap). Talking about it usually works better than punishing.
What is the fairest chore system?
If jobs are about equally demanding, a rotating schedule is enough. If the effort varies a lot, a points system is fairer.