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6 Red Flags Regarding Roommates

Fruitland Roommates Arguing Over Dirty DishesIf you are seriously thinking of actually sharing a Fruitland rental home with a roommate, it’s relevant to perceive and understand what to look for. Whereas awful roommates are rare, there are adequate horror stories to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: once in a while roommates develop to be some of the very best friends you’ll ever have.

Allowing that there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can be aware of to help see and comprehend what type of roommate any person might be. Here are some obvious things you need to look for that can be helpful to you in spotting an unlikeable roommate.

1.   Badly Written Ad

Not all of us are terrific at writing ads, but a poorly written or incomplete ad may characterize the person who posted it as hiding something or isn’t willing to give much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad loaded with misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a sure sign of real 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 identify is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s relevant 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 most likely they were somehow at fault.

3.   Messy House

If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, find out the living conditions just before committing to anything at all. When you visit, check on the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. If you can, take account of signs that things are not being cleaned habitually, such as dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is quite messy, that’s an adequate 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 resistant to providing references, both are red flags that something isn’t good. Even as asking questions concerning a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the best approach to avoid getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to give their portion of the rent each month. But when you are applying for a rental through RPM Uintah, our screening process encompasses landlord references to check prior tenant behaviors.

5.   Significant Other

Another substantial thing you should comprehend is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Once in a while, a roommate’s significant other will spend plenty of time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are likely to agree to, most especially 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

At other times, a person may seem like a fitting roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That uncomfortable feeling is quite possibly your intuition telling you something is unsound, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The best approach you can do is to listen to your gut and search elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.

 

Living with roommates can be a trouble, but finding the right one could make your life even better! Are you going after a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Uintah has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. But more than 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.

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