Are your financial bills starting to get to you?
If the answer is yes, the thought of adding a roommate or two might cross your mind. In the event it does, will you make sure you get the right individual/s from day one?
As too many homeowners and renters can tell you, there are good roommates and of course there are bad ones. What one has to try and steer clear of is getting those roommates who end up being more problems than they are worth.
So, are you ready to roll the dice and see what is out there?
Bringing in Another Individual or Two
If the time is now to start interviewing roommate candidates, where best to begin?
To start learning more about a potential roommate, you are best-served with:
1. Roommate background searches
Once you have a few names in the pot, you need to go online and do some searching. By using one of the background search services out there, you will be in a better position to select a roommate.
Among the things you would be looking for as potential red flags:
· Money issues
· Past crime record
· Changing residences on a regular basis
· Inability to hold down a job
Although some are good at covering their tracks, others prove not so efficient. Your job is to do the best you can to sort the folks out.
The last thing you need is having dead weight around the home in helping with expenses and cleaning.
2. Requiring references
In many situations when individuals interview for jobs, they must provide credible references. You should do the same when interviewing potential roommates.
From talking to their most recent landlord to their employer, get to know more about them. Although some may think they can pass of close friends as their only references, ask for more. A current or most recent landlord can be a great source of information.
This part of the process is even more important (see more below) if you’re moving or recently moved to a new city.
Given limited knowledge of the area, talking to those who’ve lived there for some years is beneficial. They can fill you in on how much rents tend to go for and much more.
As such, you will have a better idea of what to look for in a roommate and what to charge them for rent.
3. Interview process
When you have a potential roommate stop by to see your place, make the time spent together worthwhile.
While they’re not going for a presidential cabinet post, you need to ask solid questions.
Among some of the ones to throw at them:
· Approximately how long they plan to stay there?
· If they foresee any issues paying rent on time?
· There present job status
· Do they plan to have a lot of friends over if they do move in with you?
Whether you bought your own house or you rent and need a roommate to help with bills, be smart.
The last thing you want or need is opening your doors to the roommate from hell.