If you are taking into account sharing a Muskegon rental home with a roommate, it’s really important to understand what to look for. Conceding that horrifying roommates are rare, sufficient horror stories are circulating to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: oftentimes, roommates emerge to be some of the closest friends you’ll ever have.
Even while there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can comprehend to help discover what type of roommate any person might be. Here are a handful of things you can know that will allow you to spot a very unlikeable roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are best at writing ads, with that said, a poorly written or incomplete ad may mean that the person who published it is hiding something or isn’t well-disposed to contribute much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad abundant in misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a sign of a real problem and 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 distinguish is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s particularly important 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 simple questions are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s in all probability they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, go and carefully check the living conditions before ever committing to anything. Through the course of your visit, watch for the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. If you actually can, look out for indications that things are not being cleaned consistently, such as evidence of dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is dusty and messy, that’s a solid 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 for the potential roommate’s job and at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are unenthusiastic or hesitant to provide references, both are red flags that something isn’t right. Supposing asking questions about a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the best method to sidestep and prevent getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to pay out their portion of the rent each month. In case you’re trying for a rental through RPM Investment Solutions, our screening process includes landlord references to check for prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another basic thing you should know is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Sometimes, a roommate’s significant other will spend so much time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are wont to agree to, specifically 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
On occasion, a person may appear to be an excellent roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That worried feeling is quite possibly your intuition telling you something is unseemly, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The best way you can do this is to listen to your gut and go on looking elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can be a definite challenge, but finding the right one could make your life even better! Are you on the alert for a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Investment Solutions has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. More than that though, 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.
