Things to Ask a Potential Roommate

Make sure the best candidate meets your all your requirements before you hand over any keys.

Costs of living can require you to find a roommate. Before you look for a roommate, create a list of possible issues. This helps you know what you require in a roommate agreement and limits your chances of choosing an undesirable one. Use a customized checklist to compare the candidates.

Pets

Pet ownership should be discussed when interviewing potential roommates. If you have a pet, tell your potential roommate that you have one. If you do not have a pet, learn if the roommate has one. The housing unit may not allow pet ownership. You can explain no pets is part of the property's lease.

Visitor Frequency

Some people can handle having visitors, while other people expect privacy. Before finalizing your roommate decision, discuss visitor frequency with your roommate. Take time to learn about who will visit and how long they might be staying. If you cannot accept the number or frequency of visitors, continue with your roommate search.

Household Expenses

Household finances represent part of your potential roommate agreement and can involve rent, utilities and food. You can ask about what expenses would be combined or separate. Potential combined expenses can include the rent. Separate expenses range from individual telephone bills to food costs. Make sure you review household finances before finalizing an agreement.

Habits

If you are a nonsmoker, you definitely want to ask about smoking. If you might consider having a smoker as a roommate, ask how many cigarettes they smoke per day. You also might want to ask about snuff, alcohol or any other habits along these lines. Other habits that could derail cohabitation plans include the degree of neatness each person requires, the types of music liked and how loud it is played and addictions other than those already mentioned.

Work

Ask your potential roommate about a work schedule. Some people work traditional daytime hours, while other work nontraditional hours. Depending on how much privacy you want, opposing work schedule can offer benefits. If the roommate remains home during your sleep hours, learn about any hobbies that might wake you up, such as playing the drums.

References

• Apartment Guide: Questions for Potential Roommates
• Moving: Five Questions to Ask When Selecting a Roommate

Resources

• My First Apartment: Questions to Ask When Visiting Prospective Roommates