Roommate Questionnaire

It’s easy to be drawn in by the perks of space sharing: half the rent, half the chores, an in-home plant and pet sitter, and a buddy to let you in when you’ve locked yourself out. Before you become too romanced by the idea, carefully consider the ramifications of roommates. Decide in advance what qualities you can live with and must live without. Then conduct your roommate search as if you were interviewing for someone who’d be working closely with you, and who would have just about as much autonomy and responsibility as yourself. Don’t be petty – but do be particular. It’s much better to buck up and pay all the bills until you find a compatible candidate. Even if, especially if, your potential roommate is already a friend, use the following questions for guidance. Read them through, decide your answers, and the answers you’d like to hear from an ideal housemate. Add your own make-or-break scenarios. Then quiz your candidates and see how they rate.

Buddy System
1. Are you looking for a roommate or a friend?
2. You’re going out for drinks with friends, do you want your roommate to be someone you’d invite along?
3. You’re out on a date and someone else that you’re interested in calls the house. What would you like your roommate to tell them?
4. You’ve called out “sick” to work. Your office calls and your roommate answers the phone. What would you like them to say?
5. Your roommate has an overnight guest. How long constitutes overnight?
6. Will you be annoyed if the guest is hanging, cooking, showering, etc. in communal areas?

Money & Perks
1. Are you willing to negotiate services/chores for utilities/extra expenses?
2. When is rent due? Who is it payable to? Utility bills are usually split evenly, except phone bills. Make a standing rule about how many days after a bill is received that payment must be collected.
3. Does the person with the larger bedroom or better parking space pay more? How much?
4. What system do you have in mind for communal items like cleaning supplies? Decide the division in advance.
5. Who gets veto power over furniture and home accessories in shared areas? Don’t purchase furniture jointly, and have an agreement beforehand of what stays if one person moves. If original the apartment holder provides furniture and/or appliances, he is entitled to a small rent discount, but also responsible for replacing items as they wear.

Housekeeping
1. How long does takeout stay in the fridge?
2. How often do you do laundry? Dishes?
3. What household items (kitchen spices, toilet paper, etc.) would you like to share?
4. Who is responsible for cleaning common areas? How often?
5. If you leave clothes in the washer, and your roommate needs to do laundry, what would you like them to do with your stuff?
6. Should groceries be separated? How?
7. What constitutes “borrowing”? How many times can a roommate “borrow” before it becomes an issue? Are there any things which are absolutely not up for grabs? Don’t be petty, but do replace what you’ve borrowed.

Social Skills
1. Are you involved in criminal activity? (Ask diplomatically.)
2. Do you drink, smoke, or toke?
3. Do friends or family stop by frequently?
4. What time do you usually go to bed weeknights? Weekends?
5. What kind of music do you like?
6. How long have you been at your job?

Tell candidates that you will call them with in a certain window of time only if you are interested. If you find a keeper, check references. Put terms of the agreement in writing. Your contract should cover possible financial scenarios, like 30 days notice to vacate, or a stipulation if the arrangement lasts for less than six months. Don’t spring things (like pets, live-in boyfriend, toxic mildew) at the last minute. After all of the hard work, relax and enjoy half the rent. Just remember, some people were raised in a barn.