# How can I screen a potential room mate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 13, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400 "2010-03-13T22:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PokerAKQJT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@PokerAKQJT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PokerAKQJT)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400/1 "2010-03-13T22:31:07Z")
I own my place and want to rent a room to someone. Where can I turn to do a background check on someone to make sure their history is clean? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400/2 "2010-03-13T22:44:28Z")
If you are willing to pay for it, there are lots of web sites that will let you do a fairly detailed background check on anyone almost instantly. Otherwise, you can just snoop around on Facebook and Goggle their name although that is a little creepy. [http://background-check-services-review.toptenreviews.com/](http://background-check-services-review.toptenreviews.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400/3 "2010-03-13T22:51:33Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > If you are willing to pay for it, there are lots of web sites that will let you do a fairly detailed background check on anyone almost instantly. Otherwise, you can just snoop around on Facebook and Goggle their name although that is a little creepy. > > [http://background-check-services-review.toptenreviews.com/](http://background-check-services-review.toptenreviews.com/) Yes, much less creepy to run a detailed background check instead of Googling them. 😃 I’m a fan of asking questions based on the DSM. Example: Have you filed more than 3 lawsuits in the last 3 years? That tests for the presence of litigious paranoia (a real mental condition, I swear). Also, the question serves to screen out any lawyers. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400/4 "2010-03-13T23:02:01Z")
I assume you are planning to run a credit check - this has been standard for all of the apartments I’ve rented. It’s customary (and possibly required) to inform people that you will be running a credit check. Also, I would do a reference check of the last 3 prior landlords. That way you can find out if they paid their rent on time or caused any problems. I think it’s typical to call the applicant’s employer and verify that the person is in fact employed there and to check how long they have worked there. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400/5 "2010-03-17T05:49:36Z")
Put out an ad like this on craigslist and only the best of the best will apply: > **[The Most Amazing Craigslist Ad Up In Here! (PICTURE)](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-most-amazing-craigsli_n_468664)** > > The Most Amazing Craigslist Ad Up In Here! (PICTURE) ETA: some swear words in description ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-screen-a-potential-room-mate/532400/6 "2010-03-17T06:12:20Z")
Well, you want a roommate that is mature, employed, quiet, not crazy, not a criminal, and doesn’t plan to have parties every night. You’ll need to screen for all those things. I see doing a quick google search on “roommate screening” will give you lots of good advice on this subject (including questions to ask).