If you are thinking seriously of sharing a Magnolia rental home with a roommate, it’s basic to ascertain what to look for. Granting that mean roommates are uncommon, there are multiple horror stories to make anyone think twice before deciding on ever sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: very often, roommates grow to be some of the most faithful friends you’ll ever have.
Despite that there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can be prepared for to help give you knowledge of what type of roommate any person might be. Here are some of the sure things you need to know that can be of help to you in spotting an offensive roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are certainly good at writing ads, be that as it may, a poorly written or incomplete ad may manifest that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t willing to spend much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad rife with misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may show an inkling 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 seek out is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s specifically crucial indeed 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 very simple questions are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, certainly, they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, check on the living conditions before committing to anything. At the time of your visit, find out the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. Ideally, check for signs that things are not being cleaned as often as you want, that is to say, dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is messed up, that’s ample 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 about the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are unwilling to provide references, both are red flags that something isn’t right. Asking questions as regards a person’s finances may indeed feel awkward, but on the other hand, it’s the most effective method to get away from getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to regularly pay their portion of the rent each month. If, however, you’re trying out for a rental through RPM Republic, our screening process counts in landlord references to check prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another thing you should learn is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Very often, a roommate’s significant other will spend a considerable amount of time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are interested in agreeing to, primarily 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
Sometimes a person may certainly feel like the best roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That odd feeling could be your intuition telling you something is certainly not right, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The best thing you can do is listen to your gut and search elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can be indeed a challenge, but finding the right one could certainly make your life even better! Are you going after a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Republic has a large inventory of quality rental properties near you. But aside from 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.
