Finding a roommate to share your apartment can be anxiety-provoking, especially if you don’t have a trusted friend or family member lined up. You’re going to be spending the majority of your non-working hours under the same roof as this person, so it’s important to get it right. Unless it’s an emergency situation, it’s to your advantage to take your time, to ensure that both you and your new roommate are on the same page and can live harmoniously under the same roof for the duration of your lease. Here are some pointers to make the roommate selection process as painless as possible.
Where to look
Start by putting the word out to friends, family, neighbors at your apartment community, work colleagues, the gym … everywhere you regularly hang out can be a potential source of leads for a new roomie.
Social media
Bolster your in-person search by using social media. Post on Facebook, X, Instagram, and nextdoor.com, and encourage your friends and acquaintances to repost. There are also sites dedicated to finding roommates. You can tailor your search to suit your needs such as LBGTQIA, non-smokers, pet lovers, vegetarians, etc.
Initial contact
After you’ve narrowed your selection, it’s time to have a F2F conversation, whether in person or video chat. Committing to whom you’re going to live with for at least the next 12 months is a huge decision, so during this initial meeting, listen to your gut. If you pick up a negative vibe from the person, move on.
Screening interview
During the interview, you need to quickly ascertain if the two of you will be compatible. Ask about their lifestyle, work hours, habits, etc. If you’re more casual in your approach to housekeeping, somebody who is a stickler for a spotless environment will quickly get under your skin and vice versa. If you are a foodie and love to cook, living with someone who has DoorDash on speed dial could cause clashes over issues such as buying groceries and cleaning the kitchen. Of course, pick your battles. You and your roommate can hash out minor incompatibilities as they arise, compromise, and live with them.
Discuss finances
This is the biggest issue that can make or break the most solid roommate agreements. Ask the potential roommate for references. You can check with their previous landlord to get a feel as to whether or not they were a reliable tenant in terms of paying their full amount of rent on time. Agree on how you will split the rent, utilities, and other expenses beforehand. Your property manager should run a credit check on potential renters as well, so if there are red flags, they will be found at that level.
Explore a Vision Community Apartment
With a little planning, your apartment and pets will be safe and secure during your absence. When you return, you’ll walk into a clean, comfortable apartment that will look just the way you left it. Having that peace of mind will make your holidays that much more enjoyable.
Our floor plans are spacious and bedrooms come with spacious closet space. Our property management teams work hard to create living spaces that are headache-free and places you’ll want to come home to. We have floor plans that provide your personal space and spacious common areas for you to hang out with your roommate and friends. 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.
Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live.