If you are seriously taking into consideration splitting a Safety Harbor rental home with a roommate, it’s certainly critical to understand what to look for. Even as truly terrible roommates are rare, there are several horror stories to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: Sometimes roommates evolve to be some of the most devoted friends you’ll ever have.
Though there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can carefully look for to help distinguish what type of roommate any person might be. Here are a few things you can ascertain that will help you easily spot an awful roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Certainly, not all of us are the best at writing ads, but on the flip side, a poorly written or incomplete ad may show that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t likely to commit much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad abounding in misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a clue of certain trouble 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 certainly be aware of is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s especially crucial 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 interviews are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s more likely they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, clearly check out the living conditions just before committing to anything at all. During the time of your visit, ascertain the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. If you can, find certain clues that things are not being cleaned as often as you want, cite an instance, dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is unkempt, that’s a real good 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 opposed to providing references, both are red flags that something isn’t all that good. Whereas asking questions about a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the ideal means to keep from getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to give their portion of the rent each month. If, as it happens, you are applying for a rental through RPM TradeWinds, our screening process includes landlord references to check for prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another critical thing you should perceive is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Most of the time, a roommate’s significant other will spend quite a long time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are quick to agree to, particularly 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
Periodically a person may match and feel like the best roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That distressed feeling could surely be your intuition telling you something is not appropriate or right, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The best action you can do is listen to your gut and check elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can be an ordeal, but finding the right one could truly make your life even better! Are you seeking a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management TradeWinds has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. But besides 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.
