It’s important to be informed while searching for a place with a roommate for a Kennewick rental home There are enough horror stories to make anyone reconsider sharing their home with a stranger, even though genuinely terrible roommates are thankfully uncommon. It’s also true that roommates can turn out to be some of your closest friends. While there are no guarantees, there are some red flags you can look for to determine what kind of roommate someone might be. Here are a few characteristics that will help you identify a problematic roommate.
Poorly Written Advertisement
Even if not everyone is skilled at writing advertisements, a poorly written or incomplete one may suggest that the person who placed it is concealing something or is unwilling to put much effort into even trivial tasks. In either scenario, a rental ad that is misspelled or lacking key details about the situation could be a sign of trouble to come.
Vague or Inconsistent Answers
Another warning sign is if you ask about the roommate situation or the lease terms. It is essential to inquire as to why the previous roommate (if any) left or why the new roommate is moving in with you and why they require a new place to reside. If their answers to these inquiries are evasive or they appear unwilling to discuss the matter, it is possible that they were at fault.
Overly Messy House
If you are responding to a roommate ad, make sure to look into the living situation before making any commitments. While there, make sure the surroundings are clean, not just the surfaces. Dusty ceiling fans and a mountain of dishes in the sink are telltale signs that things aren’t being cleaned regularly. A good enough reason to vacate is if the rental home is unclean.
Lack of Job or References
Ask the prospective roommate about themselves, their career, and at least two references in addition to getting to know them better. If they do not have a job and are averse to providing references, this is a red flag. It may be uncomfortable to inquire about a potential roommate’s financial stability, but doing so is the only surefire method to prevent ending up in a situation where one person is unable to pay their monthly rent.
Significant Other
Whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house are key considerations as well. A roommate’s significant other may spend so much time in the apartment that they essentially pay no rent for it. You may be hesitant to agree to this arrangement, particularly if they are noisy or annoying.
Listen to Your Intuition
A person could seem like the perfect roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something just feels off. Even if you cannot see what is wrong, that bad feeling may be your intuition warning you something is awry. The best course of action is to trust your gut and seek out alternative accommodations if necessary.
Finding the proper roommate can make your life even better even if sharing a space with others can be difficult. Are you searching for a home to rent that you could share with one or two roommates? Real Property Management Tri-Cities has a selection of quality rental properties in your vicinity. Contact our office or check out our listings 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.
