Knowing what to look in a roommate for is important if you’re thinking of getting a Orangetown rental home. Even though genuinely terrible roommates are thankfully uncommon, there are enough horror stories to make anyone reconsider sharing a home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: your roommates could end up being some of your closest friends. While there are no guarantees, there are red flags that can help you determine the type of roommate a person may be. The following will assist you in identifying a problematic roommate.
Poorly Written Advertisement
Even if not everyone is skilled at writing advertisements, a poorly written or incomplete one may suggest that the person who placed it is concealing something or is unwilling to put much effort into even trivial tasks. An advertisement that has typos or omits key details about the leasing situation could be a sign of problems in either case.
Vague or Inconsistent Answers
When you enquire about your roommate or your lease terms, that’s another cautionary sign to look out for. It’s imperative to find out why your prospective roommate—if there was one—moved out, why they are moving in with you, and why they need a new place to live. It’s feasible that they were at fault if their responses to these inquiries are evasive or if they come off as unwilling to talk about it.
Overly Messy House
Before committing to anything, investigate the living conditions when responding to a roommate ad. During your stay, inspect the hygiene of the entire area, not just the surfaces. Look for signs that things aren’t being cleaned regularly, such as dirty dishes stacking up in the sink or dusty ceiling fans. A good enough reason to vacate is if the rental home is unclean.
Lack of Job or References
You should also inquire about the prospective roommate’s job and at least two references in addition to asking them about themselves. A red flag that something isn’t quite right is when someone doesn’t appear to have a job or won’t give you references. Asking about a person’s financial situation may feel awkward, but it’s the best way to avoid living with a housemate who cannot pay their portion of the monthly rent.
Significant Other
Whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house are key considerations as well. The significant other of a housemate may spend so much time in the apartment that they effectively receive free housing. You may not be inclined to acquiesce to this arrangement, particularly if they are noisy or disruptive.
Listen to Your Intuition
When you meet someone, even though they might seem like the perfect roommate on paper, something just feels off. Even if you cannot see what is wrong, that bad feeling may be your intuition warning you something is awry. Trusting your senses and moving on if you don’t feel comfortable is the best course of action.
Living with roommates can be difficult, but finding the ideal housemate can make your life even better! Are you searching for a rental house that you and one or more roommates could live in? Real Property Management DePenn offers a variety of well-maintained properties for rent in your area. Contact our office or check out our listings 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.
