Advertise Selectively
Where and how much you advertise should reflect the kind of roommate that you prefer. It is undoubtedly true that persons who share things in common tend to get along better. This involves sharing a particular life stage or situation. For example, if you are a college student or a young professional, you might observe that chatting with someone going to school or starting a career is a perfect match. On the other side, a mid-career professional or retiree may seem to be quite happy with the person at the same life stage. Aim your advertising on venues that will reach the people you’d like to have as roommates.
Ask Good Questions
Before you accept a particular application, screen anyone who responds to your ad during that first phone call. This will save you a lot of time and effort eventually. Describe your rental situation and your ideal tenant, and introduce yourself. Then ask questions. It’s a smart idea to have a list of questions prepared just in case you don’t recall something. It is imperative to ask about the caller’s source of income, major expenses, whether they smoke, if they own pets, what their work schedule is like, and if they are dating anyone. Maybe the last question may sound a bit personal, but you will need to figure out whether or not a significant other might be spending the night at your place. Once they have answered your questions, make sure that you give them the chance to ask questions of their own.
Check All References
After you’ve executed the screening phone call, you need to gather information about your potential roommate’s past rental experience – together with references. Employers, former landlords, and friends can give you a reasonable statement of who the applicant is and how they relate to others. Make sure you contact each reference and ask essential questions about the applicant. It’s also critical to have a background check completed for all prospective roommates. You don’t want to be surprised by your roommate’s criminal record once they have moved in to your house.
Don’t Rent to Friends and Family
It might seem like a good approach to offer your place to a friend or family member, but living with someone you already know isn’t always a perfect idea. Although other people can make it work, there are many possible issues with signing a friend or family member on as a roommate. You might notice a habit about the person you don’t like, which may cause resentment and even destroy your relationship. It’s also more difficult to enforce a lease agreement with someone you respect, mostly if subtle reminders to wash their dishes or clean up their messes aren’t working. What is more, if a friend or a family member falls behind on their rent, you’ll be in a very difficult circumstance. Irrespective of whether you demand them to pay or you ask them to leave, there is a significant possibility that your relationship will never return to normal – regardless if they seem to be understanding at the moment.
While it may take some exertion, it is worth it when you find a great roommate. Ultimately, you’ll definitely spend a lot of time sharing the same space, so it’s imperative to select someone that will make doing so as pleasant as possible.
Whether you are a tenant or owner, Real Property Management Hampton Roads takes the stress out of the roommate hunt. Our Norfolk property managers incorporate a rigorous screening process to ensure quality tenants. For more information, contact us online or call us at 757-395-4274.