If you’re looking for a roommate with whom to share your Staunton rental home, you might be thinking about how difficult it will be to locate the appropriate person. After all, a roommate will greatly impact your home life, for better or worse. However, there are several things you can do to aid in your search for a roommate with whom you get along. By following these guidelines, you can help find someone whose habits, values, and personality all add together to make the ideal roommate.
Start early. The most critical aspect of selecting a wonderful roommate is to provide sufficient time. If you are pressed for time, you may make poor choices that negatively affect your quality of life. If feasible, begin looking for a roommate well in advance of the time when you will need someone to move in.
Ask your friends. While sharing a place with a friend may not make sense, you should ask people you know if they know anyone searching for a roommate. Someone recommended by a friend, coworker, or family member may be an ideal roommate because you both know and enjoy similar individuals.
Use social media. Leverage the power of social media to spread the word about your search for a roommate. You can quickly create posts describing your circumstance and the type of person you seek. Additionally, social media allows you to broaden your reach beyond your immediate location. You might meet your new roommate when they relocate to your town from another place.
Do multiple interviews. After you’ve received a few applicants, conduct multiple interviews with your best picks. Prepare a list of questions to ask them, and then follow up with the candidates you like the best after your initial round of interviews. See to it that you ask about their employment situation and earnings. It may feel embarrassing, but you must be aware of these facts. This enables you to gain a deeper understanding of each applicant and their ability to meet your criteria.
Know your deal-breakers. It’s also critical to be clear about what you will not tolerate in a roommate. These “deal-breakers” are characteristics of this individual that would make living with them intolerable. While everyone’s deal-breakers are unique, recognizing yours allows you to more easily sift out candidates who aren’t a good fit (and communicate them to your potential roommate). Nobody wants to give up their security deposit due to a bad roommate.
Ask for references. It’s always a good idea to request many references from your prospective roommate – and to contact them. If the applicant is unable to provide any names or if all of their references are family members, these may be red flags. As you chat with each reference, ask questions that will assist you to gain a better understanding of the applicant and their behavior at home. When applying for a rental through RPM Summit, we would contact previous landlords to find out about their previous tenant’s behavior. This is part of our screening procedure.
Be upfront about costs and expectations. It’s necessary to be candid with each potential roommate during the interview process. This includes the amount of rent the roommate is expected to pay, the method and date of payment, whether utilities are included and how much they cost, and so on.
Put everything in writing. Finally, every roommate arrangement must be in writing. A written, signed document will serve as a useful reference for both of you; it will also serve as a useful reference in the event of future disagreements. Make your written agreement as precise and comprehensive as possible to your particular arrangement. All interested roommates should apply through our website in the event of a landlord-tenant relationship. Otherwise, this may be an instance of an unauthorized tenant, which would provide a reason to cancel your leases.
Are you in the market for a new rental home? Real Property Management Summit has an inventory of great listings that update regularly. Contact us or browse available properties online.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
