Legal info about roommates from Nolo Press.
I’ve followed the methods listed below, and I’ve never really had any problems with getting a good decent roommate (although it may take a bit of time).
- Put a description of the room you are renting on your answering machine (On a separate phone line than the house phone, if possible). State the general location of the room (corner of first and main), the physical dimensions ( 11’ x 11’), whether its a house or an apartment, what services are available (cable, cablemodem, own phone line, etc.), conveniences in the house (A/C, fireplace, garage, etc.), and then a brief overview of yourself - age, work arrangement (full time, monday-friday, 8-5), and your typical living hours (I go to bed at 11, and it needs to be quiet after that). Usually, you can do this within the time allotted by your answering machine. (yes, you may annoy some of your friends and family, but hey, it saves problems in the long run)
Judging from the number of hang-ups to the possible roommate messages left, this helps a lot. It’ll screen out the gender you prefer (if you say males only first off, the women will hang up), and then it will screen out for your area, and their own physical needs. It will also help to coordinate schedules, and screen out, for example, any people who work at night and need it to be quiet all day.
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When you return the call, try and get particulars on them. Age. Source of income. Whether or not they have kids. Usually, these are deal-breakers. For example, I dont’ want to have someone with no job move in, so that’s a deal breaker if they don’t have a job.
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Give them a chance to talk about themselves on the phone. Usually, they have specific things they want in a place to live, and its their chance to get to ask you about them.
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Always, always insist on meeting them before you agree to live with them. Meeting someone, shaking their hand, and talking to them can let you know immediately if you can be compatible with this person.
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If you like the person, and think you can live with them, take a few moments and tell them you’d like to do a credit check on them before they move in. Now, you don’t ACTUALLY have to do the credit check, but you’d be amazed at the sudden change of tone you get, or sudden new information from people. For example, there was one guy who was very cool, and then when I mentioned the credit check, suddenly he was telling me about his conviction for assault three years ago - but he took anger management classes and he’s all done with it now, except for the impending lawsuit from the guy for his permanent injuries… Somehow, I lost his number and never called him back… ).
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Make sure you have them sign a contract - typically a month-to-month contract. You can get them at almost any stationary store, or on-line. If all goes kerfloofle, it gives you something to refer to – like the roommate who meets a girl and wants to move out in 3 days…
Please, above all, remember that as with most of your friends, some people aren’t good at making a first impression. Give them a chance to talk to you so that you can get to know them.
Also, remember that you are looking for someone to live in your house. You can ask them anything you want. All the laws on the books are geared towards apartment owners renting out private spaces – you are renting out a room to someone in your house. You could only rent to left-handed buddists if you so choose.
Good luck. Getting a roommate is a very time-consuming process, but if done right, you can end up making a very good friend.