Read this before you room up.
Now that you’ve decided to find a roommate to share an apartment with, start searching for the perfect candidate with these tips for snagging the perfect one. Knowing you need a roommate is a tough decision. Finding a roommate can be even tougher.
If you already have a friend or relative you plan on rooming with, lucky you. You get to avoid most of the difficulties and annoyances of finding a stranger. But if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need some tips on how to kick off the process.
Of course, the details of finding a roommate when you already have a rented apartment, when you’re looking to move into someone else’s existing apartment or if you’re both finding a new apartment together, differ in each case. But you can apply the tips below to your individual scenario.
Know what you want in a roommate
Before you start finding a roommate, you have to know what you want in one. And if you’re what they want in return. And together, are you looking for the same living situation or apartment type?
1. Make a list of preferred qualities
Decide what traits you want in a roommate. Not necessarily needs but qualities you prefer. Make a wish list of personal characteristics you are looking for in someone who will be sharing your space. Figure out what’s significant to you in a living situation. You’ll need to know what you want as you meet potentials.
Of course, you (probably) won’t find anyone who checks every box, but it’s a good start.
Prioritize them. Or even weigh them based on how important each is to you and calculate a total score. These are some (but not all) to consider:
- Good financial responsibility
- Previous rental or roommate experience
- Dietary needs or restrictions or food preferences
- Cooking, eating and kitchen habits
- Cleaning and personal care habits
- Exercise routine
- Pet preferences
- Roommate gender preference
- Morning person or night owl preference
- Time at home versus time out of the house
- Values such as religion, orientation, politics or pandemic comfort level
- Boundaries such as sharing food, clothes or personal space
- Personality traits such as introvert versus extrovert or laid-back versus excitable
- Roommate relationship expectations: a new friend versus someone to rent a room
- Accessibility needs
2. Decide what helps make your apartment preference a match
Personal qualities aren’t the only important traits. It is key to know what you both are looking for in an apartment. As you search for a new roommate – whether moving in with them or them moving in with you – it will be essential to both of you to know things like:
- How much rent you’re willing to pay
- Your desired location
- Apartment size and number of rooms
- What amenities – standard (like washer/dryer or storage) and luxury (like smart kitchen or swimming pool) – do you both wish to have?
3. Allow as much time as possible for your search
Give yourself as much time as you can to find the right person. The last thing you want is to rush into a roommate relationship. They will be a person in your space for a significant time period.
Places for finding a roommate
Now it’s time to start looking for that compatible roommate. Whether trying to find someone you’re already connected with or searching from scratch, there are many places to look.
4. Ask friends, family and co-workers
People you already know can be a great resource in finding a roommate. Second- or third-level connections already have an implicit endorsement. If they are being recommended to you by someone you trust, that’s a good sign they might be a quality roommate (but still do your due diligence).
- Reach out to your family and see if anyone your age is looking in the same city. Find that one relative that knows everyone else’s business.
- Ask around your friend group if they know anyone who is searching for a roommate. Expanding your circle into their circles increases the list of potentials exponentially.
- And feel free to ask at work as well. Talk to your work friends and see if there’s anyone they know who might be a good fit. Place a flyer on an office kitchen bulletin board, or ask everyone companywide on Slack. Maybe one of your co-workers is looking.
If you’re considering rooming with a good friend or close relative, make sure you would be well-matched as roommates if you didn’t already know them. Just because you enjoy spending time out with your bestie doesn’t mean you’ll be compatible as roomies.
5. Utilize your alumni network
If you are connected to your college alumni network (or even high school), see where you can ask about roommates. Do they have a bulletin board on an alumni website? Post your search there. Reach out to old college friends and see who they know who may be looking. Same with sorority or fraternity networks.
Similarly, you can do the same thing with other organizations you may be attached to. Religious institutions, Boy or Girl Scout communities, civic organizations, pub trivia leagues. Any group you are involved with can be a network for connections.
6. Post on your social media
You have 2,000 Facebook friends and 3,000 Instagram followers. Use them. Write a post indicating you are seeking a roommate, add a few wants from them, a few things about you and click send.
Get it out there everywhere: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat. And you have the benefit of seeing how you are connected through your network. Just, as always on social media, be safe.
7. Roommate finder apps and websites
Much like dating or apartment hunting, possibly the best place to find a roommate is online. There are numerous apps and websites that are specifically designed to help you find that perfect roommate by swiping, searching and posting.
These are a few of the most popular to check out:
8. Be detailed in your roommate or apartment posts
Whether you post on social media or on a finder app, make sure you provide as many details as you can so people scrolling or swiping know if they and/or the situation are compatible.
Indicate your personal preferences and qualities, the hours you work, if you have pets, how many rooms you have, the parking situation, all of it. Share your interests too. The more they know, the more your search can narrow.
Get to know your potential roommate
You’ve figured out what you want out of a roommate, you searched and found one (or more!) great candidates. Your journey isn’t complete just yet. After you choose a potential roommate, you need to get to know them, see if you are compatible, understand their vibe and assess their financial situation.
9. Run landlord-style background checks
If you are going to be financially (and possibly legally) tied to someone, you will need to do your due diligence. Before agreeing to anything, you need to know their background and financial situation. Run your own background check, credit check and criminal history.
This can be done at first online. Most information you will need can be found through Google. Then back up your research by asking them for the requisite information as well. Of course, they have every right to ask the same of you. And if someone is hesitant to provide information, that might be a red flag itself.
Ask for references, including previous roommates, previous landlords, co-workers and friends. Expect to provide references of your own. Also request employment information, income and about job satisfaction, like, will they be staying in this job?
10. Spend time together before deciding
Never agree to live with someone without meeting them in person. Everyone is different behind a text or email or Instagram than they are in real life.
Meet up with them (in public) and make sure you have good chemistry, and the candidate doesn’t feel unsafe or unfriendly. Never sign anything or share financial information until you check their vibe and feel comfortable.
11. Conduct an interview
Your last step in finding a roommate is the interview. This is your chance to find out everything about them. You are going to be in a shared space with them for many months, even years. Now is the time to ask everything you need to know to make sure the situation is right and answer for them as well.
Here are a few examples:
- Why are you looking for a roommate?
- What did you like or dislike about your previous living situation?
- What qualities are you looking for in a roommate?
- Have you ever paid your rent late and, if so, why?
- How long do you expect to be roommates before moving out?
- What time do you wake up and go to bed?
- Do you shower in the morning or evening?
- What are your typical cleaning and organizing habits?
- What are your cooking habits and what is your eating schedule?
- Do you have dietary needs or restrictions?
- What is your preferred thermostat temperature?
- How much time do you spend at home versus out of the house?
- What is your work schedule?
- Do you work from home and, if so, how often, and do you require quiet and a dedicated space?
- How social do you want to be with a roommate, friends or just roommates?
- What are some of your hobbies?
- How do you spend your weekends?
- How often do you expect to have visitors? Do you have a partner that will stay overnight?
- Do you like loud music?
- Do you smoke or use recreational drugs?
Your next steps in the roommate hunt
Now that you’ve found and chosen that perfect roommate (and made sure you were perfect for them as well), get everything in writing in a roommate agreement. And at whatever point in the process you will need to find that perfect apartment for the two of you, be sure to check out all the latest listings on Rent.
Source: rent.com