How to Find a Reputable Roommate

File the lease for up to a year after the tenant vacates.

Sharing living quarters can be a challenge, especially if the decision to do so was not carefully considered. Securing a roommate is a business arrangement of sorts, so it is important to display a certain level of professionalism throughout the process, especially when recruiting a roommate through your workplace, friends or family. Finding a reputable roommate requires brainstorming, advertising and minor detective work.

Things You'll Need

• Rental application
• Lease agreement

Instructions

1. 

   Include pictures of the space to create more inquiries from prospective tenants.

   Write a synopsis that includes pertinent information. The advertisement may include: information about the space that you have for rent, price, deposit amount, term of lease, credit/reference standard, general information about the housing situation and type of roommate preferred. Often prospective tenants also prefer that photos of the space are available with the advertisement.

2. Begin advertising via word of mouth, email or by posting an advertisement online or in a local print publication. Free and affordable advertising is available on centralized networks such as Rentals, Facebook and Craigslist. Or, place an advertisement in your local newspaper, alumni or workplace newsletter.

3. Facilitate a background check on the tenant that you are most likely to share housing with. There are some precautions that you can take in order to ensure, to the best of your ability, that you are selecting a roommate that meets your criteria. Typically there is a fee that is associated with a professional screening service, and can be charged to the prospective tenant as a part of the application process.

4. Document the mutual rental agreement in detail. This may seem like a hassle and unnecessary in some cases, especially if the person renting is a family member, friend or acquaintance. However, having official documents in place, such as a rental application, lease agreement and pet addendum may be useful in protecting both the landlord's and the tenant's rights if a future dispute were to arise.

Tips & Warnings

• Be thorough in your process of screening and selecting a roommate.

• Consider your initial reaction or intuition about an applicant.

• Collect a damage/cleaning deposit in the amount of the first month's rent, and make it clear that it is not to be used for the last months rent or utility expenses.

• Confirm all information that the prospective roommate provides, including social security number, driver's license, work history, and references.

• Create and express boundaries and house rules prior to the roommate signing a lease, including rules around smoking, drug use, extended house guests, shared items and food.

References

• Landlord 2 Landlord: How to Find a Good Tenant
• MSN Real Estate: How to Find a Reliable Roommate

Resources

• A PRIMEDIA Company: Looking for a Roommate?
• Amerusa: Tenant Screening for Individual Landlords
• Roommate.com, LLC: Roommate Frequently Asked Questions