Earlier this week, we gave you lots of info and questions you should ask when looking for the right roommate. Here's part two of our list...
First Roommate Interview - Trust your gut instincts during that initial roommate interview. If something seems a little off about the person and/or you just plain don't think you like them so much, trust yourself. The initial interview is "best behavior" time. If you're less than thrilled to be spending time with them now, you'll likely be much MUCH less than thrilled later.
Why Do They Want to Find a Roommate Now? - Try to find out why a potential new roommate is looking at this time. It could give you some insight into compatibility. Is this their first flail into the adult (not living with mom and/or dad at home) world? Did they not get along with their last roommate? Could they not pay their bills? Why, why, and why?
What Kind of Roommate Will YOU Be? - Be honest when describing yourself to a potential roommate. Are you really tidy? No, for real.
Find a Roommate Time-Frame - Leaving it to the last minute to find a roommate means you'll: A) Panic and B) Settle for less. But you procrastinators out there probably knew that already, didn't you? More time to be choosy ahead of time almost always means less hassle later.
Roommate Comings and Goings - Do you like to come and go on a whim, even frequently during the wee hours? Or will you freak out if you hear your front door opening at 3 a.m.? Definitely questions to ask when looking for a roommate, a lack of compatibility here will be sorely missed.
The Absentee Roommate - Sometimes someone seems more appealing as a potential roommate because they say they'll be spending little time at your shared abode, maybe they have a lover in whose home they spend much time, maybe a job that requires frequent travel, maybe studying elsewhere several hours a day . . . whatever. But don't ignore other roommate-related considerations just based on the appeal of a possibly "absentee" roommate. Make sure expectations regarding bill-paying are clear from the start, and non-alterable unless all parties cheerfully agree.
Your Roommate's Pets - If you live in a household with pets, you will probably be asked to take care of them at some point. Even if owned by one person that sincerely intends to be entirely responsible for their care, personal emergencies and illness happen to everyone from time to time. And all pets create at least a few messes here and there.
Roommates and Sleeping - If you like to go to bed early and are a light sleeper, don't live with a night owl, unless you're comfortable using earplugs. Similarly, if you know you like to be noisy late at night, you'd best find a roommate not so busy at the crack of what-in-the-world-are-they-doing-this-early unless they swear they sleep heavily.
My Roommate Was Here . . . and Here . . . - Some folks leave little trails of evidence detailing all their activites behind them wherever they go, others are compulsively tidy. Figure out who you are and find a roommate in the same general area of the continuum. Messies can sometimes pacify the tidy by confining their mess to their roommate, but folks that are extremely different in this regard are bound to bug the hell out of each other. However, don't make the mistake of assuming you'll be in Roommate Nirvana if you're both total slobs. Eventually someone will have to clean up, or the roaches and/or the Health Department will make you wish you had.
Your Budget - Don't overextend yourself in terms of what you can pay for rent, bills, etc. You might want to live in the nicest place you could possibly afford, but in the end, the stress of trying to afford something not in your budget will be more stressful than life in a more modest residence. Even if you think you have it all covered, allow some wiggle room. Do you really want to live like a monk? Also, unplanned and/or accidental additional expenses happen to everyone. Don't stretch to the limit, allow a bit of play (figuratively and literally).
Roommates and Kids - Your lifestyle check on any new roommate will need to be more thorough if you plan to have kids over regularly, yours or anyone else's, even if you're not the custodial parent. Similarly, expect more restrictions on your lifestyle if you opt for a roommate with regular kid visitors.
Who Will Be Visiting your Roommate? - How many, how often? Parties? Significant others sleeping over regularly but not contributing to the bills? Family members dropping by? Even if your roommate and yourself get along just fine, what sort of friends will she/he have over regularly? What if the visitors need to use your bathroom/shower regularly? OK vs. not? How often? All important questions to ask when looking for a roommate. Even if you think you don't care, fair warning is always more agreeable.
Length of Roommate Relationship - Is the situation month-to-month, or is there a lease with a defined term? If month-to-month, what amount of notice is considered adequate? What if someone absolutely has to move out early? Despite best intentions, these things can happen, better discussed in advance than during the heat of an emergency-esque moment. Are there any financial penalties for early termination on your lease? Who is responsible for finding the roommate's replacement? There are pros and cons here . . . if the person moving is responsible, they absorb more of the hassle, but the remaining roommate(s) will have to live with their choice. Also, if the moving away roommate is moving due to a personal emergency, they might not have the time to find a roommate replacement. There are no right and wrong answers here, but again, discussing in advance, making sure the situation sounds like something you can live with, and having a plan is a better way to go to keep things civil in a time of probable stress.
Good luck finding that roommate that best suits you and your needs!
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