Whereas there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can carefully look for to apprehend what type of roommate any person might be. Here are some clear things you can detect that can help you spot a dreadful roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are great at writing ads, nevertheless, a poorly written or incomplete ad may connote that the person who made it public is hiding something or isn’t willing to use much effort in even small tasks. Either way, an ad rich in misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a real sign of trouble 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 for is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s especially very important 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 subjects are vague or seem unwilling to talk about it, they presumably were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, check the living conditions before committing to anything. Upon your visit, check for the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. Also, watch for hints that things are not being cleaned as often as you like, for instance, dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is really dirty, that’s a compelling 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 referring to the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are afraid to provide references, both are red flags that something isn’t right. Though asking questions related to a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the best practice to avert getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to pay for their portion of the rent each month. If by any chance you are registering for a rental through RPM South Orlando, our screening process includes landlord references to easily check for prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another vital thing you should determine is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Often, a roommate’s significant other will spend considerable time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you want to agree to, particularly 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
Once in a while, a person may feel like a good roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That fretful feeling could be your intuition telling you something is awry, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The best way you can do this is to listen to your gut and seek elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can be a real challenge, but finding the right one could make your life even better! Are you trying to find a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management South Orlando has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. In addition, our thorough tenant screening process helps eliminate red flags. Browse our rentals and apply online today.