Moving in with a roommate can be both fun and a cost-effective decision. Splitting the rent, which is reason enough to have a roommate, is a significant benefit. You’ll also have someone to share other responsibilities of renting, like taking out the trash and buying toilet paper. How do you pick the right person to share your space? Explore the following guide to identifying the right questions to ask a roommate .
How do I choose a good roommate?
Before looking for a roommate, decide what’s important to you. It may sound simple, but picking the ideal roommate relies on your interpretation of what a “good roommate” looks like to you, which varies from person to person. Before you seriously start looking for a roommate, know what’s important to you.
Keep the following points in mind when developing questions to ask a potential roommate.
Consider the lifestyle you want
Are you looking for a roommate to be your best friend and throw dinner parties together? Do you want someone who pays the rent on time while you both live your own separate lives? Do you prefer to live with someone tidy or messy? Once you’ve considered your own needs, you’ll be able to narrow down your search.
Take personality into account
It’s essential that you get along with your roommate and that the roommate respects your personal space. Look for someone who is friendly but also understands boundaries. It’s also essential to find someone responsible and can pay rent and bills on time.
Consider practicalities like budget and schedules
Lastly, consider practicalities like budget and schedules. Make sure you’re on the same page regarding rent, utilities, and housework. It’s also vital to ensure your schedules are compatible. Living with an early riser may not be the best idea if you’re a night owl.
Preselect your deal breakers
Deal breakers are the qualities or habits in potential roommates that would make you want to move out rather than live with them. For example, if you’re looking for a tidy and clean apartment, a potential roommate who doesn’t believe in doing dishes or cleaning up would be a deal breaker.
No one wants to waste anyone’s time, so think about your deal breakers and ask roommate candidates those tough questions first. Are you OK with someone who smokes? What about a person who loves bringing the party home? Ask your deal-breaker questions, and after they’ve passed this mini test, you can continue to ask more general questions and get to know them both as people and potential roommates.
Some other examples of deal breakers might be:
- Someone who doesn’t work
- Someone with pets (if you’re allergic)
- Someone with bad hygiene
- Someone with a criminal record
- Someone who is unreliable or doesn’t pay rent on time
Keep your list of deal breakers in mind during the roommate selection process, and don’t be afraid to bring them up if they come up in conversation.
Top questions to ask a potential roommate
With the deal breakers out of the way, use the list below and choose the additional questions you want to ask. You can always take notes if that helps you remember the candidate’s responses, as well.
- Where do you work and what do you do?
- Are you a night owl?
- Why are you leaving your previous apartment? Are you still friendly with your old roommates?
- How clean would you say you are?
- What are your hobbies?
- Do you have any pets? If so, how well behaved are they?
- Do you have furniture or large items you plan on bringing with you?
- What are your thoughts on overnight guests or regular visitors?
- Do you cook at home or dine out more often?
- How long do you plan on living here?
Go in-depth with questions
You might also consider running a credit history or background check if you’re still on the fence about someone. If you live with this person and rely on the individual for rent payments, it’s good to know the person’s financial situation. It might seem a bit aggressive, but it’ll save you from having to evict your roommate if you find later on that the person isn’t financially secure.
Ask for permission ahead of time so that you don’t catch them off guard when you ask for their personal information. If they express discomfort and decline, it might be a red flag that they’re hiding something. If they say yes, you can then decide based on the results whether or not you’d like to offer them the spot. If you choose them, don’t forget to sign a roommate agreement to keep all roommates on the same page regarding expectations.
Looking for a roommate and a new apartment? Find your next place, then use these questions and tips to help you narrow down your roommate search.
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