I have lived with friends for 3.5 years of my life. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a great way of living with roommates and far superior to shacking up with a bunch of randos. When you live with people you know and love, you feel responsible for ensuring their living space is a happy, healthy, and calm place to live. I don’t want my best friends to be stressed about the dishes piling up in the sink. Therefore, I will wash the big ones, put the small ones in the dishwasher, and run the said dishwasher. 

Although I trust and love my friends turned roommates, I still make sure we’re doing everything above board. I would never live with someone who hasn’t signed a lease, but pinkie promises to pay the rent. Even if they fully intend to pay it, it’s way too big of a risk to take.