If you are deliberating on actually splitting a Troy rental home with a roommate, it’s essential to take in and understand what to look for. Though dreadful roommates are luckily rare, there are ample horror stories to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: at times roommates evolve to be some of the closest friends you’ll ever have.
Even as there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can determine to help understand what type of roommate a person might be. Here are a few things you search for that can help you spot a bad roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are that good at writing ads, but take note that a poorly written or incomplete ad may delineate that the person who published it is hiding something or isn’t receptive to expend 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 hint of concern 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 check is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s secondly essential 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 queries are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s entirely possible they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, determine the living conditions before ever committing to just anything. In the course of your visit, investigate the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. If you can, discover hints that things are not being cleaned usually, for instance, dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is messy, that’s a pretty 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 something related to the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are averse to providing references both are red flags that something isn’t right. Even though asking questions referring to a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the appropriate way to evade getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to repay their portion of the rent each month. If you register for a rental through RPM Metro Detroit, our screening process integrates landlord references to ascertain prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another very important thing you should discover is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. At times, a roommate’s significant other will spend a long time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you want 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
Often a person may resemble a most qualified roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That anxious feeling, possibly your intuition telling you something is inappropriate, even when you can’t immediately see what it is. The appropriate way you can do this is to listen to your gut and search elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can be a concern, but finding the right one could make your life even better! Are you going in search of a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Metro Detroit has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. Moreover, 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.
