If you are seriously considering sharing a Rochester rental home with a roommate, it’s important to know exactly what to look for. Even though offensive roommates are rare, there are a lot of horror stories to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: now and then a roommate will end up being one of the closest friends you’ll ever have.
Although there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can distinguish to help take in what type of roommate any person might be. Here are certain things you look out for that can enable you to spot an unacceptable roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are great at writing ads. On the other hand, a poorly written or incomplete ad may determine that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t interested to give much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad filled with misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a mark of 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 take notice of is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s also 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 problems are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about them, it’s highly possible that they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, look into the living conditions preparatory to committing yourself to the location. At the time of your visit, check out the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. If possible, look for signs that things are not being cleaned regularly, for instance, dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is filthy, that’s a credible 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, also ask as regards the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are not eager to provide references, both are red flags that something isn’t quite correct. Granting that asking questions about a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the best way to prevent getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to shell out their portion of the rent each month. But take note, when trying out for a rental through RPM Seacoast New Hampshire, our screening process comprises landlord references to check prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another crucial thing you should take in is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Now and then, a roommate’s significant other will spend a long time in a place where they can practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you desire to 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
Occasionally a person may come across as the right roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That restless feeling is plausibly your intuition telling you something is wrong, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. An excellent way you can do this is to listen to your gut and continue to look 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 looking out for a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Seacoast New Hampshire has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. But on top of 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.
