Whether roommates are close friends or perfect strangers, living with another person is almost guaranteed to cause conflict at some point in the relationship. While it's impossible to truly know in advance what someone will be like to live with, asking the right questions before that person moves in can help make finding a roommate easier.
When interviewing prospective roommates, it's important to consider things like noise, cleanliness, and privacy. Because sharing an apartment is also a financial agreement, it's important to find out if the potential housemate is trustworthy and responsible. Here are some general questions that can help find out a candidate's expectations, as well as what they might be like to live with.
Questions to Ask a Potential Roommate
- Have you ever had a roommate before?
- If you've had a roommate, what, if anything, bothered you about them?
- Why are you moving now?
- Do you have pets?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you drink or do drugs?
- Are you in a relationship? Will your boyfriend/girlfriend be staying over? How often?
- Are you willing to help keep common areas clean?
- Are you interested in sharing costs of common groceries and cleaning supplies?
- Do you have any special dietary concerns?
- Would you want to have your own telephone number, or share a common one?
- Do you watch television? What do you like to watch?
- Will you be having friends over often? What about parties?
- Do you have a job? What hours do you work?
- What time do you usually go to bed?
- What time do you wake up in the morning?
- Do you play any instruments? What kind of music do you like?
- Are you willing to co-sign the lease?
- Do you consider yourself messy or neat?
- Do you have references? What would your former roommates say about you?
When interviewing roommates, it's important to be up front about what will (and will not) be included in the rent. As well, if the rent is not split equally (for example, one roommate will have a room with an ensuite bathroom and pays higher rent for it), it's best to explain these things prior to the roommate moving in.
Those interviewing potential roommates should also be prepared to answer questions themselves. They should also consider any potential "dealbreakers" in the answers to their questions. What answers would cause a candidate to be rejected outright? What answers are less important?
Asking potential roommates detailed questions may take longer than accepting a deposit from the first person to answer the ad, getting to know possible housemates before they move in ensures a better relationship with them in the future.
Source:
- "Picking The RIght Roommate", www.roommateroommateroommate.com, accessed September 18, 2009.
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