Start early. The most critical aspect of selecting a wonderful roommate is to provide sufficient time. If you’re in a rush, you’re more likely to make poor choices that will negatively affect your quality of life. If possible, begin searching for a roommate well in advance of the time when you will require someone to move in.
Ask your friends. While living with a friend may not be the best option, you should ask people you know if they know anyone looking for a roommate. Someone recommended by a friend, coworker, or family member may make an excellent roommate because you both know and like the same people.
Use social media. Use social media to publicize your search for a roommate. You can quickly create postings describing your position and the type of person you’re seeking. Social media can also help you reach people outside of your immediate neighborhood. You might meet your new roommate when they move to your town from another location.
Do multiple interviews. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of candidates, make sure to interview them multiple times. Prepare a list of questions to ask them, and then follow up with the ones you liked most after your first round of interviews. Be sure to inquire about their employment and earnings. While it may seem inconvenient, you must be aware of these facts. This enables you to gain a deeper understanding of each applicant and their ability to meet your criteria.
Know your deal-breakers. It’s also crucial to know what you won’t put up with in a roommate. These “deal-breakers” are things that would make living with them intolerable. While everyone’s deal-breakers are different, recognizing yours will help you quickly eliminate those who aren’t a good fit (and communicate them to your potential roommate). No one wants to lose their security deposit due to a bad roommate.
Ask for references. It’s always a good idea to get multiple references from your potential roommate — and then call them. If the applicant is unable to recall any names or if all of their references are family members, these are red flags to be aware of. As you chat with each reference, ask questions that will assist you to gain a better understanding of the applicant and their behavior at home. When applying for a rental through RPM Freedom, they’ll be asked to provide landlord references to check for previous tenant conduct. This is part of our screening process.
Be upfront about costs and expectations. It’s essential to be honest about your expectations and arrangements when interviewing possible roommates. This covers the amount of rent the roommate is responsible for, how and when payments are due, whether utilities are included in the rent, how much they cost, and so on.
Put everything in writing. Finally, any roommate agreement must be written down. A written, signed agreement will serve as a useful reference for both of you; it will also serve as a useful reference in the event that any future problems occur. Make your written agreement as explicit and detailed as possible to your particular situation. All potential roommates should apply via our website if they are in a landlord-tenant arrangement. Otherwise, this might be a case of an unauthorized tenant, which could result in the termination of your leases.
Are you in the market for a new rental home? Real Property Management Freedom has an inventory of great listings that update regularly. Contact us or browse available properties online.