Either put your foot down in a house meeting, start doing all the housework, or move out. There's really no other way to get messy people to become clean. That's just how they are and they aren't interested in changing for anyone.

Sometimes it's just easier to clean up after them then to make a big deal about it. Hopefully, once they see you making all the effort, they will start to chip in more. If not, pay less rent and say it's for being the house maid!

I have a roommate like this and we have separate everythings. I keep my dishes clean and hers sit, so she cleans them when she runs out but I have clean dishes for myself. In other areas I clean what I need to use and leave hers dirty. I wouldn't clean up after them, yes it makes it easier but then they always know you will eventually clean up for them. Try talking at first, even though you're new you're still a roommate, and if that doesn't work just separate your things. Good luck!

It's tough and I've actually been going through the same thing. I'd say setup time for all of you to get together and have roommate meetings. It'll help keep tension down in the house, which is something I wish one of my roommates would consider, but we're a bit past the point of that helping. Please, don't end up like we did. Just mention in a non-aggressive way how you feel and they should try to find a medium ground with you.

Now, my "problem roommate" doesn't like even being told in a nice manner that she could probably help out around the house a bit more, and if you have a roommate like that I am very sorry. My roommate immediately gets defensive and brings up things that happened once several months ago as proof we don't do our own work around the house. It's hard to deal with and honestly the way it's being resolved in my situation is that she's moving out so I'm not a great help in such a situation.

If you've tried talking and it doesn't work, be responsible for yourself. If you have time and you see something needs doing, then do it. If you make a mess, then clean it up, that way you know that you're not contributing to the overall mess. Leaving your own mess doesn't help anything and just makes you more anxious and pissed off that they won't clean it.

Like I said, talking it out is the best option. If you let them know how you feel and try and come to a compromise then you should be happier in the situation without decreasing the comfort of your roommates. I suggest setting up meetings though, that way everyone has a time to vent their concerns and it also is a great time to encourage everyone to feel comfortable around each other. Trust me, you don't want to live somewhere that you feel uncomfortable even talking to someone that you share your home with.

Do you get regular inspections from the landlord? You could tell them that if the landlord sees that the place is not being kept clean that the rent will increase as a result? (I doubt they'd want to pay more money to be dirty and lazy!)