If you’re looking for a roommate to share your rental home in Lynchburg, you may be thinking about how difficult it will be to get the appropriate person. After all, a roommate can significantly affect your home life. However, there are steps you may take to aid in your search for a compatible roommate. You can find someone with the habits, values, and personality to be the best possible roommate for you if you follow these guidelines.
Start early. Giving yourself ample time is the most critical component of choosing a suitable roommate. If you’re in a rush, you’re more likely to make poor judgments that will negatively affect your quality of life. If at all practical, begin looking for a roommate well before you need to move in.
Ask your friends. While living with a buddy may not be the best option, you should check around and ask people you know if they know anyone looking for a roommate. Someone recommended by a friend, coworker, or family member may be an ideal roommate because you both know and enjoy similar individuals.
Use social media. Leverage the power of social media to spread the word about your search for a roommate. You can quickly create posts describing your circumstance and the type of person you seek. Additionally, social media allows you to broaden your reach beyond your immediate location. You might meet your new roommate when they relocate to your town from another city.
Do multiple interviews. After you’ve received a few applications, make sure to interview your top candidates several times. Prepare a list of questions to ask them, and when you’ve completed your first round of interviews, follow up with the ones you like the best. Make certain to ask about their employment situation and earnings. It may feel embarrassing, but you must be aware of these facts. This enables you to gain a deeper understanding of each applicant and their ability to meet your criteria.
Know your deal-breakers. It’s also crucial to know what you won’t tolerate in a roommate. These “deal-breakers” are the characteristics of this individual that would make living with them intolerable. While everyone’s deal-breakers are different, recognizing yours will help you quickly eliminate those who aren’t a good fit (and communicate them to your potential roommate). You shouldn’t lose your security deposit just because you got a bad roommate.
Ask for references. It’s always a good idea to get multiple references from your possible roommate — and then follow up with them. If the applicant is unable to provide any names or if all of their references are family members, these could be red flags. As you speak with each reference, ask questions that will help you gain a better understanding of the applicant’s character and how they behave at home. When applying for a rental through RPM Cairn, they will have to go through our screening procedure. This involves contacting previous landlords to ask about prior tenant conduct.
Be upfront about costs and expectations. It’s important to be open and honest about your expectations and arrangements when interviewing potential roommates. This covers the amount of rent the roommate is expected to pay, the manner in which and when payments are due, whether utilities are included and how much they cost, and so on.
Put everything in writing. Finally, any roommate agreement should be written down. A written, signed contract will serve as a useful reference for both of you, as well as in the event that any future problems develop. Make your written agreement as explicit and detailed as possible to your particular situation. All interested roommates should apply via our website in the case of a landlord-tenant relationship. Otherwise, this may be an instance of an unauthorized tenant, which would provide a reason to cancel your leases.
Are you in the market for a new rental home? Real Property Management Cairn has an inventory of great listings that update regularly. Contact us or browse available properties online.
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.
