Splitting the rent and utilities with another person can pad your bank account and alleviate financial stress. A bad roommate situation, on the other hand, can send your stress levels soaring . When you sit down to write that roommate wanted ad, make sure you’ve thought about the type of person you can live with. And take note: a good friend does not always a good roommate make…
Your roommate wanted ad is the best way to ensure your future roommate will be more friend than foe. Get started on your ad with these guidelines, and make sure you’re being honest!
Provide accurate information in the ad
When looking for a roommate, you’ll want to start with the facts about your apartment so readers can see if it’s a good fit for them before they contact you. There are some vital pieces of information to include in your advertisement.
- Location– You don’t have to put down your specific address in the advertisement for all the world to see. But, you can put down the neighborhood or apartment complex.
- Information about the apartment – What amenities are included in the complex? Things like pool and work out room are examples. Let them know the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in your unit. If they would be sharing a bedroom and or bathroom they should know before applying.
- Proper contact information- Try to use email if you can. If you can use an email address that is linked to the publication you are advertising with, that’s even better. As a precaution, be careful who gets access to your personal email address until you get to know them better.
What qualities would your ideal roommate have?
Think about the behavior and lifestyle of your ideal roommate. Are you a night owl? Sharing your apartment with a morning person could lead to conflict over time. Would a sink full of dirty dishes drive you crazy? Do you enjoy listening heavy metal music loud and late? You’re unlikely to be happy living with a roommate unless you both share a few basic lifestyle preferences. Remember: apartment walls can be thin and you’ll be sharing a kitchen. Make sure to convey expected behavior in the advertisement. The ad is a chance to set your boundaries and vet out any potential bad fits.
Require credit and criminal history
Make sure your ad indicates that you will be doing a background check. Roommate candidates must authorize the background check but let them know that is mandatory before moving forward in the process. The last thing you want is a bad roommate ruining your credit because he or she won’t pay the bills. For obvious reasons, you don’t want someone with a violent criminal history sharing your home.
Don’t – post an ad for a roommate without your landlord’s permission. Your landlord needs to be OK with you having a roommate. Your new roommate will need to be added to the lease and qualified like every other resident.
Don’t – discriminate against age, race, religion etc. If you discriminate against potential roommates for these reasons, you could be in hot water. In fact, your ad may not get posted since it could get the publisher in trouble too.
Don’t – let your roommate ad come off as desperate. Choosing your next roommate out of financial desperation will not bode well for you in the long run. You don’t want to enter into a contract with a bad fit.
Getting a roommate to split the bills with can be a lifesaver to your budget. But, you want to get the right roommate. The living situation needs to be mutually beneficial. Placing a targeted advertisement will help you get the ideal roommate and avoid a roommate nightmare.
