You might be wondering how difficult it will be to find the right roommate to share your Memorial rental home with. After all, a roommate can significantly affect your home life. However, there are some things you can do to assist you in finding a roommate with whom you get along. By following these recommendations, you can select a roommate whose habits, values, and personality all add up to be the ideal match for you.
Start early. Giving yourself enough time is the most critical aspect of choosing a fantastic roommate. If you’re pressed for time, you’re more likely to make poor choices that negatively affect your quality of life. If at all practical, begin looking for a roommate well before you need to move in.
Ask your friends. While living with a buddy may not be the best option, you should check around and ask people you know if they know anyone looking for a roommate. Someone you’ve been recommended by a friend, coworker, or family member may be a roommate with whom you’ll get along nicely because you know and enjoy the same people.
Use social media. Leverage the power of social media to spread the word about your search for a roommate. You can quickly create articles that describe your circumstance and the type of person you want to connect with. Additionally, social media allows you to broaden your reach beyond your immediate location. You might meet your new roommate when they relocate to your town from another place.
Do multiple interviews. After you’ve received a few applications, make sure to interview your top candidates multiple times. Prepare a list of questions to ask them, and when you’ve completed your first round of interviews, follow up with the ones you like the best. Make certain to ask about their employment situation and earnings. You should know these things, even if it feels awkward. This will enable you to gain a better understanding of who each applicant is and how well they measure up to your requirements.
Know your deal-breakers. It’s also critical to be clear about what you will not tolerate in a roommate. These are the “deal-breakers” that would make living with this individual miserable. While everyone’s deal-breakers are different, recognizing yours might help you weed out those who aren’t a good fit (and communicate them to your potential roommate). Nobody wants to part with their security deposit due to a bad roommate.
Ask for references. It’s always a good idea to get multiple references from your possible roommate — and then follow up with them. If the applicant is unable to provide any names or if all of their references are family members, these may be red flags. Ask questions that will help you grasp who the applicant is and how they behave at home when you chat with each reference. When applying for a rental through RPM West, they will have to go through our screening procedure. This involves contacting previous landlords to ask about prior tenant conduct.
Be upfront about costs and expectations. When interviewing prospective roommates, it is important to be honest about your expectations and living conditions. This includes things like how much rent the roommate is expected to pay, how and when payments are due, whether utilities are included and how much they cost, and so on.
Put everything in writing. Finally, every roommate arrangement should be documented. A written, signed contract will serve as a useful reference for both of you, as well as in the event that any future problems develop. Make your written agreement as specific and thorough as possible to your particular arrangement. All interested roommates should apply via our website in the case of a landlord-tenant relationship. Otherwise, you may have an unauthorized tenant, which could result in your contracts being terminated.
Are you in the market for a new rental home? Real Property Management West has an inventory of great listings that update regularly. Contact us or browse available properties online.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
