If you are mulling over sharing a Morrisville rental home with a roommate, it’s particularly important to learn what to look for. Allowing that despicable roommates are, thank heavens, rare, there are innumerable horror stories to make anyone think twice before ever sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: most roommates, in many cases, develop to be some of the most special friends you’ll ever have.
Even though there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can be ready for to help you have an idea of what type of roommate any person might be. Here are specific things you need to determine that can lead you to spot a certainly terrible roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are very good at writing ads, but definitely, a poorly written or incomplete ad may reveal that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t disposed to give much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad loaded with misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a sure sign of certain trouble up ahead. Keep in mind that Real Property Management does not advertise on Craigslist. Always apply directly from our website.
2. Answers to Questions are Vague or Inconsistent
Another red flag to look out for is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s similarly pertinent to ask why the last roommate left (if there was one) or why they are moving in with you and why they need a new place to live. If their answers to these easy questions are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s conceivable they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, look closely at the living conditions before deciding on ever committing to anything. Throughout your visit, consider the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. If you certainly can, get a hold of signs that things are not being cleaned as often as needed, such as dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is in a real mess, that’s a definite reason to walk away. Nobody wants to lose out on a security deposit because of a bad roommate.
4. No Job or References
Along with asking the roommate about themselves, ask relative to the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are resisting providing references, both are red flags that something isn’t quite right. Though asking questions concerning a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the most effective means to keep you safe from getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to pay their portion of the rent each month. But when you are trying to obtain a rental through RPM Raleigh, our screening process includes landlord references to check prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another salient thing you should know is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Most often than not, a roommate’s significant other will spend an enormous amount of time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you can easily agree to, certainly if they are noisy or disruptive.
In the case of a landlord-tenant relationship, a significant other should ALWAYS submit an application. Otherwise, this may be a case of an unauthorized tenant which may be grounds to terminate your leases.
6. Listen to Your Intuition
Often a person may seem to be the perfect candidate for a roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That anxious feeling could be your intuition telling you something is wrong, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The ideal thing you can do is listen to your gut and continue your search elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can be a real and tough challenge, but finding the right one certainly could make your life even better! Are you going after a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Raleigh has an extensive inventory of quality rental properties near you. And besides that, you’d be happy to know, that our thorough tenant screening process helps eliminate red flags. Browse our rentals and apply online today.
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.
