If you are looking into splitting a Dacula rental home with a roommate, it’s integral to take into account what to look for. Even supposing unruly roommates are mercifully rare, there are many horror stories that make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: in some cases, roommates turn out to be some of the best and closest friends you’ll ever have.
While it is a matter of fact that there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can check to help determine what type of roommate any person might be. Here are just a few clear things you can watch out for that can help you spot a horrible roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are perfect at writing ads, nonetheless, a poorly written or incomplete ad may signal that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t prepared to give much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad overflowing with misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a suggestion of impending trouble up 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 search for is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s certainly 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 concerns and questions are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s highly likely they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, carefully look at the living conditions just before committing to anything. On your visit, pay attention to the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. When possible, check for clues that things are not being cleaned often, by way of illustration, dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is grubby, that’s a justifiable 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 the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are eager to provide references, both are red flags that something isn’t true. Even while asking questions in connection with a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the ideal practice to stop getting trapped with a roommate who won’t be able to regularly pay their portion of the rent each month. But certainly, if you are applying for a rental through RPM Executives Greater Atlanta, our screening process indeed includes landlord references to look and check for prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another essential thing you should figure out is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. In some cases, a roommate’s significant other will spend enough time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are open to agreeing to, 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
Every once in a while, a person may have all the signs of an ideal roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That disquieted feeling could most certainly be your intuition telling you something is not right, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The good thing you can do is listen to your gut and search elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable at all.
Living with roommates can be an absolute challenge, 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 Executives Greater Atlanta has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. Additionally, 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.
