If you are thinking about splitting up a Denham Springs rental home with a roommate, it’s substantial to distinguish what to look for. Even though annoying roommates are uncommon, there are a large number of horror stories to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: most often, roommates prove to be some of the dearest friends you’ll ever come across.
While it is true that there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can easily look for to help you figure out what type of roommate any person might be. Here are a few things you can find that can easily help you to easily spot an atrocious roommate.
1. Badly Written Ad
Not all of us are good at writing ads, even so, a poorly written or incomplete ad may express that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t willing to give that much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad chock-full of misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a manifestation of 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 expect is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s, in particular, substantial 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 inquiries are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s possible they were somehow at fault.
3. Messy House
If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, take a careful look at the living conditions before committing to anything. On the day of your visit, verify the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. Whenever possible, look for signs that things are not being cleaned quite regularly, like dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is messy, that’s a plausible 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 unprepared to provide references, both are red flags that something isn’t right. Even though asking questions regarding a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s a proven practice to avoid getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to bring in their portion of the rent each month. But if indeed you are applying for a rental through RPM Baton Rouge, our screening process adds landlord references to check out prior tenant behaviors.
5. Significant Other
Another necessary thing you should distinguish is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Sometimes, on the other hand, a roommate’s significant other will spend lots of time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are likely willing to agree to, in particular, 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
From time to time, a person may seem to be an ideal roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That fearful feeling could most definitely be your intuition telling you something is not right, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The great thing you can do is listen to your gut and continue to search elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Living with roommates can certainly be a challenge, but finding the right one could make your life even better! Are you searching for a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Baton Rouge has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. But in addition, 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.
