How to Find Roommates in a New City

Moving to a new city is such a brand-new feeling especially when you just moved out from your parent’s house. It does sound exciting as you will be experiencing a lot on your own with a lot of responsibilities. Along with living alone is the instant that you will realize that everything is expensive – food, utility bills, insurances and of course, rent. One way to cut down your rent is by looking for someone to share it with and it should not be just someone. There are a couple of factors that you need to consider and here are some helpful tips.

Consider the Traits You Want in Your Ideal Roommate

Begin by reflecting about your own habits: are you messy? Are you quiet? Do you get easily annoyed when things are left out? Next, make a list of what traits would work well with you. It is very unlikely to meet someone who meets all the criteria that you are looking for, but making a list is a good way to understand your main priorities and deal-breakers.

Ask Friends for Recommendations

Living with friends can be a recipe for disaster—too much time together can make your friendship burnout and even lead to conflict. However, it’s still useful to consult your friends if they know someone who might be a good match.

Interview and Get to Know Potential Roommates

Do interviews with potential roommates by inviting them out for coffee or drinks. Take the time to chat, get to know their hobbies, likes and dislikes, and their overall lifestyle. These meetings will give you insights into their trustworthiness and compatibility.

Additionally, don’t forget to ask about what they do for a living and whether they have a stable income. Having a consistent job is essential. Also, ask about their history of roommates. Did they get along well? Are they still friends with their old roommates? This will help you determine how they’ll get along with you, or if there are any red flags you might have missed earlier.

Be Upfront About Expenses

Your roommate should know what they are signing up for. Be upfront about discussing the bills that you two will be splitting to avoid misunderstandings in the future. Give them an estimate of the expected expenses for every month, as well as if you expect them to share costs such as WiFi, heat, renters’ insurance, and more.

Create a Written Agreement

No matter how comfortable you are with your roommate, you should never rely solely on an oral agreement. You should always keep a written roommate agreement in the event things go south between the two of you and you feel that legal action is necessary.

Roommate Problems? Contact Outerbridge Law

Unfortunately, even the best roommate relationships have the potential to turn sour. If your relationship with your roommate becomes strained to the point where they begin withholding rent, it could jeopardize your living situation, your credit score, and your ability to be approved for rentals in the future.

To regain control, turn to the team at Outerbridge Law P.C. With over 15 years of experience with landlord tenant law, we’re prepared to help you resolve your roommate issue and protect your living situation and finances.

If you think you have a case, contact us online today or give us a call at 877-OUTERBRIDGE.