Staying in an apartment where bread is eaten on Pesach

I’m a student in Ariel and I’m sharing an apartment with a friend of mine who is not religious. She’s a vegan. We agreed to divide the kitchen into two completely separate sections. But on Pesach she eats bread the way she always does. Am I allowed to stay in the apartment with her on Pesach?   

Dear …!

What you really have to do is to sell your part in the apartment when the leavened products are sold before Pesach, and not to be in the apartment at all all Pesach, even though this might be quite difficult. The reason is that there is a number of problems in staying in the same apartment with all the leavened food that belongs to your roommate.

Of course, it’s better to ask your friend to be more considerate of your feelings. At least inside the apartment, she could show you respect by not bringing in leavened products for one week. She can find a whole lot of kosher-for-Passover products for herself. Explain to her that you don’t want to force your lifestyle upon her. It’s just that you won’t be able to stay in the apartment if there are leavened products inside.

In our day and age there is a large population of people who don’t eat gluten, and they get along just fine whole year long. So, it’s definitely possible to survive a week without eating this inside the apartment. Emphasize that you’re only asking for a personal favor, for some consideration, so you’ll be able to fulfill your religious beliefs and your tradition.

You could also add that it says in the Torah that someone who does not eat leavened products on Pesach will have a blessing for a healthy body the whole year.

Shulchan Oruch, section Orach Chaim, chapter 440, §2