Choosing a roommate to share an apartment with is a little different than college days. In college, you either already had a buddy to share a dorm room with or you were at the mercy of the school’s housing department to assign you a random roommate. Sometimes it worked, and other times … ugh. But at least you knew that it would be short-term. When you share an apartment, you are bound by a lease, usually for 12 months, which can seem like an eternity if you’re saddled with a person who is either incompatible or irresponsible. Worst-case scenario is when your roommate just flakes out and splits, leaving you with 100% of the rent and other expenses. And, unlike college days, you can’t simply pack up and move back home.
Luckily, there is an easy way to screen potential roommates. Will you find a person who is 100% compatible? No. But you can stack the odds in your favor by conducting roommate interviews. Develop a series of questions that address: lifestyle, job/income stability, shared resources/responsibilities, and references from previous landlords or roommates. By developing a set of consistent screening questions, you can easily compare candidates’ responses. Yep. It’s just like a job interview. Here are some sample questions:
Lifestyle
Do you have a pet? Would you object to living with a pet?
How often do you have friends/family over?
Are you in a romantic relationship? How often would that person be staying over? (AWKWARD!)
What hours do you keep? Work, getting up, going to bed, etc.
Do you smoke/drink/use legal recreational drugs?
How do you spend your weekends?
Job Income/Stability
How long have you been at your present job?
How frequently do you get paid?
How much do you currently pay for rent?
How long did you live there? Why do you want to move?
Shared Expenses/Responsibilities?
What do you believe is the best way to divide the rent and utilities?
Do you cook? Do you like to cook and eat alone or share cooking and meals?
Do you like to clean and do chores? How should we divide those duties?
Are you OK with sharing items? (e.g., vacuum, TV, etc.)
References
Feel free to ask potential roommates candidates for the names and contact info of previous landlords and roommates. Whether you call them or not is up to you. If you feel good about a person, you might go with your gut. However, it would be worth taking a deeper dive if a person speaks negatively about former roommates and apartment managers.
Sure, it seems a bit extreme, but in the end, it will be worth it. The result will be a roommate(s) who has a compatible lifestyle and values and will uphold their end of the bargain when it comes to honoring their financial and apartment upkeep obligations. You respect each other and have established healthy boundaries and who knows? You may end up with a new friend for life.
Roommates Welcome at Vision Communities
At Vision Communities, we understand that living alone isn’t for everyone and a roommate helps divide and conquer when it comes to rent, dishes, housework and more. When you find the roommate you’ve been looking for, find a great apartment at one of our Vision Communities. We have floor plans for you to view virtually or in person. Our spacious, studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floorplans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC.
Check out our newest property Meadows, opening in Hilliard this spring, and get a great apartment in a great area.
Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live.