How to Find the Right Roommate

After a lot of time and effort, you’ve finally found your dream home and settled in. Congratulations! Now comes the next phase: finding a roommate. Living with roommates is a way to make new friends, build a holistic living space, split the rent and reduce living costs… because we share such close quarters with our roommates, it’s integral that we choose them correctly.

The difference between a good roommate and a bad roommate is simple: the former is someone who has habits and routines that align with yours. A good roommate does not just help with bills – they are also a positive presence to have in your home, and someone you can trust to share your living quarters with.

So how should you go about finding and choosing the suitable roommate for you? Here are the 4 steps to take!

1. Identify the type of roommate you’re looking for

The ultimate key to finding a compatible roommate is to know the person you’re looking for. A good starting point is to ask yourself about your priorities, and your expectations regarding co-living habits, such as cleanliness, partying, schedule, food/diet preferences and shared values. It’s also important to figure out if you have preferences regarding your roommate’s occupation, pet ownership, smoking habits, and their credit history.

The more aware you are of your preferences, the clearer you can be regarding your expectations when meeting with potential roommates.

2. Find lots of leads

If you plan ahead, you should have plenty of time to find your prospective roommate. You should always start advertising the property as soon as possible.

Ask family and friends for roommate recommendations. They are likely to know a few people in their network looking for a place to live. You can also reach out to other communities you’re a part of, such as your university, gym, or alumni groups. This is a solid way to find individuals who you at least have something in common with.

List your place on co-living websites. Add as many details as possible in your listing so that you can be contacted by suitable applicants. Most of these sites will also allow you to browse their directory of tenants and pick who you’d like to vet further.

You may also utilize social media for this purpose, though we recommend being careful of fake accounts and scammers online.

3. Ask the right questions

Once you’ve located a few potential roommates, spend some time getting to know each of them. Remember that roommate relationships will impact your life as much as your friendships and even relationships. So, it’s important to assess your compatibility before asking someone to move in. Here are a few of our recommendations for questions to ask them:

Have you lived with roommates before? Who’s your ideal roommate?

If your prospective roommate already has a feel of what they expect of you as their new roommate, it’s important that you know their preferences and assess whether they align with yours. Do they expect to have a social relationship with you, or is it purely a financial transaction? What are their thoughts on sharing public spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom?

Remember to also voice your own expectations and take note of the applicant’s response to them. Are they comfortable with your co-living habits? Are they okay with your dietary needs?

What do you do for a living?

This question shows you reliability and the existence of a stable income (or lack thereof).

Can you provide references?

If you call their previous landlord, what would they say? The ability to provide good references offers you proof that the person moving in is trustworthy and will take care of your home.

What kind of room are you looking for?

As essential as it is to discern compatibility in personalities and lifestyles, it’s important to also cover logistics. If the room you’re offering is already furnished but one of the applicants has their own furniture, do you need to do some decluttering? Are they willing to ship in for renters’ insurance? Don’t wait until moving day to discuss utility bills and other apartment needs, as they may turn out to be a dealbreaker.

4. Write and sign an agreement

Once you’ve found the right roommate for you, the next step is to enter into a contractual commitment. Agreements are legally binding contracts that protect all parties in case of a dispute, and should be read carefully and signed before your roommate moves in.

You can create and sign your rental agreement for free right here on Hemavi in only 3 minutes. Our template was written by legal experts and guides you step by step from drafting to signing.

Still haven’t found a suitable roommate? Browse thousands of tenants looking for accommodation in Sweden on Hemavi or email us at contact@hemavi.com and we’ll gladly answer any questions you may have about renting.