How to Have Roommates in the Sims 4 & (Discover University) – (2023)

The Sims franchise has been a popular game series for many years, and one of its most prominent features is the ability to have roommates. 

The Sims 4 Discover University Expansion Pack has brought this feature back to the game, allowing players to add a roommate to their in-game residence. 

This article will explore the history of roommates in the Sims franchise, starting with their introduction in Sims 2 Apartment Life, followed by the more advanced system in Sims 3 University Life, and finally, the current state of roommates in Sims 4. 

The article will also discuss the benefits and unique features of having a roommate in the game.

The Sims 4 Discover University Expansion Pack allows players to add a roommate to their in-game residence. 

Not only does this add a new dynamic to the game, but it also provides several benefits to the player.

Are Roommates New to Sims 4?

• In Sims 2, roommates are part of the University expansion pack. Players could have their Sims attend college and live in dorms with roommates. 

The computer controlled these roommates and had their personalities and relationships with other Sims. 

However, players needed help to manage their roommates fully and could not move in or out of the player household.

• In Sims 3, roommates are again part of the University Life expansion pack.

This time, players could fully control their roommates and invite them to move in or out of the player’s household. 

Players could also influence their roommates’ actions and relationships with other Sims.

• In Sims 4, roommates are part of the Discover University expansion pack. Players can have roommates in both university housing and residential lots. 

Players can fully control their roommates, invite them to move in or out of their household, and maintain their actions and relationships with other Sims.

Also, roommates help pay bills, making them valuable to the game.

Unique Interactions:

Players can now ask their roommates to clean, fix broken objects, or even cook a meal. 

It makes you feel like you are living in a shared space with real people.

Lockable Doors:

These allow players to keep their rooms private and secure. 

It was particularly useful for university students, who could keep out unwanted visitors and maintain their privacy.

Assigning Beds:

Another essential feature that came with roommates was the ability to assign beds. 

It allowed players to keep their beds separate from their roommates, avoiding conflicts and adding a touch of realism.

Splitting Rent:

The most beneficial feature of having roommates is the ability to split the rent. 

It was especially helpful for university students and beginning career Sims living in apartments. This feature allowed players to save money without controlling another Sim for more income.

Benefits of Having a Roommate in Your Residence:

• One of the main benefits of having a roommate is the added rent income. 

As the player improves and upgrades their home, the rent the roommate pays will also increase. It can help players to afford more prominent and luxurious homes.

• Another benefit of having a roommate is the companionship that they provide. 

It is worth noting that not all roommates will be good company, and some may even be a nuisance. It is similar to real-life experiences of having roommates.

• Roommates also add an element of pushback to the game. 

Roommates can sometimes act in unexpected ways. It can add some personality to the game and make it more challenging. For example, a roommate may not clean up after themselves or may have different opinions on decorating the home’s common areas.

• If things go well with the roommate, they may also pitch in with household tasks. 

Players have reported roommates spontaneously repairing broken items, socializing with pets, and even cooking and cleaning. It can make the player’s Sim’s life easier and more enjoyable.

Preparing for a Roommate:

• Players should ensure enough beds for all household members, including the new roommate, to prepare for a roommate. 

It’s important to note that some players have reported issues with double beds not counting for two Sims, so it’s best to have extra beds available. 

• Players should also create a nice room for the new roommate to move into, with a bed, bedside table, dresser, lounge chair, and desk. 

• Additionally, all beds should be assigned to adults, teens, children, and butlers.

• Players should also have extra unassigned beds.

• Valuable items such as bathrooms, easy access to kitchen surfaces, and additional appliances like a second refrigerator or mini-fridge are necessary. A television, good seating, a bookshelf, a coffee maker, a stereo or speaker, and exercise equipment can increase your engagement with the roommate.

Two Ways to Get a Roommate

There are two ways to get a roommate in The Sims 4:

1. Asking an Acquaintance to Be the New Roommate

Ask an acquaintance to be your new roommate!

However, if the acquaintance turns down the offer, it could be for various reasons, such as not liking the player’s Sim or already having a home and family. 

In this case, players can try moving the Sim into their household to increase their chances of accepting the offer.

2. Place an Advertisement (Ad) for a Roommate

Place an advertisement on the computer to find your new roommate using the internet! 

It will bring in new and random roommates for the player’s Sim to choose from.

Choose Your Roommate (How to add a specific Roommate):

To add a particular roommate in The Sims 4, we need to follow a few steps. 

• First, if you want your roommates to be University students, they will need to be enrolled in the same University as your Sim. 

We can do this by moving them into a random lot or registering them from an existing household. Once we note this, they must choose to live at home.

• Next, you will need to move the family out of their current lot so that they are homeless. 

If there are still Sims living in the household, you want to avoid being roommates with them, and they can be left behind. However, be aware that there must be at least one Teen+ Sim in the household for the game to allow the Roommates to move out.

• Once all of the Sims are ready, you can return to your played family and use the new interactions on the mailbox, “Remove a Roommate” and “Choose a Roommate,” to add your desired roommate. 

• Finally, it is essential to note that the game separates each roommate into a single homeless household. 

If you use any mods that fill homes, ensure that these Sims will not be forced into home lots. You can flag Sims to stay homeless with MCCC. The game does not give these separated households a name, so you will need to go into the Household Manager, provide them with a name, and move them into “my Households” for easier tracking.

OR

The Roommates Satisfied Mod Created by Byt3s

The Roommates Satisfied mod is a helpful tool for players of The Sims 4 who have been experiencing issues with their roommates leaving due to dissatisfaction with the bedding situation. 

This mod prevents roommates from complaining and leaving due to low energy or motive distress related to the bedding. 

With this mod installed, roommates will no longer express concerns about not being able to sleep or needing more things to take care of themselves. 

They will no longer threaten to move out due to poor living conditions. 

This mod ensures players can focus on other aspects of the game without worrying about their roommates leaving unexpectedly. 

Managing Life with Roommates

1. Bedrooms and Decor

When decorating your Sim’s bedroom, it’s essential to consider the moods different items can encourage. 

You can see the spirits it can influence by hovering over an article in the catalog.

Assigning beds will avoid conflicts or issues with your Sim and their roommates. 

This way, everyone will have their own designated bed to sleep in.

If you use the roommate system in a dorm, it’s a good idea to lock the door for everyone except for your Sim and their roommates. 

It will prevent unwanted visitors from wandering into the room and help maintain privacy and security. 

2. Parties and Other Distractions

In addition to parties, there can also be other distractions that come with having roommates in the Sims. 

These can include loud music, television, and gaming. 

These distractions can make it difficult for your Sim to focus on their studies or work, negatively impacting their mood and overall performance.

Another distraction to consider is the potential for messes and clutter. 

Roommates may not have the same cleaning habits as your Sim, which can lead to dirty dishes, laundry, and other messes around the house. 

It can be frustrating for your Sim and make it difficult for them to relax and feel comfortable in their home.

Players can establish rules and expectations with their roommates to combat these distractions. 

It can include designated quiet hours for studying, a cleaning schedule, or a shared responsibility for cleaning messes. 

Alternatively, players can also limit the amount of time their Sim spends at home and instead opt for studying or working in public spaces, such as libraries or coffee shops.

3. Cleaning

Cleaning in Sims 4 can be a hassle when you have a messy roommate. 

To keep things tidy, it’s best to have your Sim take care of their messes and clean up daily. 

It includes removing spoiled food, washing dishes, and cleaning the common areas. Your Sim can also use the “Clean” interaction on objects and surfaces to keep things tidy. 

You can also use the “Ask to Clean” interaction on your roommate to request they clean up after themselves.

 However, be aware that this may only sometimes be successful, and your Sim may need to step up and do the cleaning themselves. 

4. Meals

Meals can be a challenge for roommates. 

Compared to previous games, roommates won’t necessarily do things for you, so it’s essential to keep this in mind when it comes to meals. 

While the roommate can take care of themselves, it’s a good idea to try to serve family-style meals instead of single servings. 

It will ensure that there are leftovers for everyone, including your Sim.

Keeping the fridge clean and well-stocked is also essential to ensure everyone has access to food when needed. 

If your roommate is a vegetarian, or if your Sim is a vegetarian, it’s also a good idea to make vegetarian meals to accommodate their dietary needs.

5. Upkeep

Maintaining the home’s cleanliness is essential. 

It can include cleaning dishes, taking out the trash, and tidying up clutter. 

A clean living space can significantly improve the moods of your Sim and their roommates, making for a happier and more harmonious living situation.

It’s also important to keep an eye on the home’s repairs, as broken items can lead to negative moods and even accidents.

Upgrading appliances and fixing broken objects can prevent these issues and improve the overall living experience.

Another tip is to keep an eye on your Sim’s and roommate’s needs, such as hunger, energy, and hygiene. 

Making sure these needs meet can also significantly improve their moods and overall satisfaction with the living situation.

Keeping Your Roommate Happy

Keeping your roommate happy in The Sims 4 is essential to maintaining a positive and harmonious living environment. 

There are several ways to ensure that your roommate is comfortable, including socializing with them, providing meals, keeping the home tidy, making repairs quickly, and monitoring interactions.

• Nobody is happy living with someone they barely know or don’t like. By taking the time to interact with your roommate, you can build a relationship with them and get to know them better.

• Another way to keep your roommate happy is to provide meals. 

We can do this by having your Sim cook meals and place them for everyone to enjoy. You can also use the “Call to Meal” interaction to invite your roommate to come and eat. Keeping extra leftovers in the refrigerator at all times can also be helpful, as it allows your roommate to grab a plate whenever they’re hungry.

• Keeping the home tidy is another crucial aspect of keeping your roommate happy. 

It includes cleaning up after meals, doing laundry, and ensuring that the common areas are free of clutter. Making repairs quickly when something breaks is also essential, as it shows your roommate that you care about the upkeep of the home.

• Monitoring interactions with your roommate is also essential. 

If they help with household tasks or contribute positively, thank and encourage them. On the other hand, if they engage in unwanted behavior, such as flirting inappropriately or being messy, use the interactions available to tell them not to do that. 

• A good roommate responds ethically to such behavioral additions, but a lousy roommate may not and needs to be replaced.

• To keep your roommate happy, you should also drag the food they make or bring to the refrigerator. 

They will be more likely to eat leftovers from these meals. Additionally, clear out spoiled food to maintain a hygienic living environment.

• Finally, upgrading items, especially in the bathrooms, can also help to keep your roommate happy. 

Roommates generally appreciate having access to modern and well-maintained facilities.

Getting a Roommate to Move Out

For various reasons, getting a roommate to move out in the Sims 4 can happen. Sometimes, the roommate may decide to leave on their own. 

It could be due to a lack of compatibility with the other household members, feeling uncomfortable in the living situation, or finding a better opportunity elsewhere. 

Sometimes, the roommate may leave abruptly, such as when they witness an awkward or embarrassing situation.

Additionally, players also have the option to ask a roommate to leave by using the “Ask to Leave” interaction under the roommate’s social menu. 

We can do this if the player feels that the roommate needs to be a better fit for the household or if they no longer need or want the additional income from rent.

Players can put a new advertisement all over again for a new roommate or opt to live alone when a roommate leaves. 

It’s important to note that when you ask a roommate to leave, the Sim may react negatively, leading to a decrease in a relationship, so it’s better to be sure before you make that decision.

Roommate Is Bugging Out

Dealing with a bugging-out roommate in The Sims 4 can be frustrating, but you can fix the issue using this guide:

• The first step is to try exiting the lot and re-entering it. 

It in and of itself frequently resets glitchy Sims. If this does not solve the problem, you can try resetting or debugging the roommate.

• One way to reset or debug the roommate is to use the cheat “resetsim [first name] [last name].” 

This cheat will reset the selected Sim and fix any issues they may be experiencing.

• Another way to fix a bugging-out roommate is to use the cheat “make happy.”

This cheat will improve the mood of the selected Sim and may help them to start behaving normally and taking care of their needs.

• If the above steps do not work, you may need to remove the bugging-out roommate from the household and replace them with a new one. 

We can do this by using the “manage households” option on the computer, selecting the bugging out roommate, and clicking “move out.”

• It is vital to keep an eye on your roommate and watch for any signs of bugging out. 

If you notice that they are dirty and miserable, not moving or frozen, not taking care of their needs, or have something stuck in their hands, take action immediately to fix the issue.

Roommate Bug Reports:

• Troubles getting/keeping roommates
• Room Mate Ad: Available Beds not correctly counting
• ALL Current Bug Reports on Roommates on Answers HQ

Roommate Traits:

• Click here to read a helpful comment about this by RandomBuzziness on Answers HQ. (Please also see her previous statement on thread #5.)

Roommate traits in The Sims 4 significantly determine their behavior and actions within the game. 

These traits can affect everything from daily routines to interactions with other Sims.

There are several different traits that a roommate can possess, including things like being Outgoing, Neat, and Lazy. 

Outgoing roommates are likely to be social and outgoing, while neat roommates will be more inclined to keep their living space clean and organized.

On the other hand, Lazy roommates may be more inclined to relax and take it easy.

In addition to these known traits, it is rumored that roommates can also be randomly assigned “hidden traits” upon becoming your Sim’s roommate. 

These hidden traits can affect their behavior and actions in ways that are not immediately obvious. 

For example, a roommate with a hidden attribute of “Clumsy” may be more likely to break things around the house, while a roommate with a hidden trait of “Kleptomaniac” may be more likely to steal items from other Sims.

It is crucial to remember that these hidden traits are not always visible, and you may need to pay close attention to your roommate’s behavior to identify them.

These traits can also change over time, affecting your household’s dynamics.

In conclusion, adding a roommate to a residence in The Sims 4 Discover University Expansion Pack can bring several benefits to the player, such as added income from rent and companionship. However, it’s essential to properly prepare for a roommate by having enough beds, creating a nice room, and having valuable items available.

Players also have the option to ask an acquaintance or place an advertisement to find a new roommate. Overall, having a roommate can add a new dynamic and challenge to the game, making it more enjoyable and realistic.

Faqs