Before you move in with a friend or stranger, make an informed decision about your potential roommate by asking these questions and answering them yourself. Compare and contrast your answers with your potential roommate to make sure that your values, priorities and living preferences align.
Lifestyle and social
- Will anyone else be living with you/us?
- How do you feel about hosting guests?
- How frequently do you intend to host overnight guests?
- How do you feel about hosting parties?
- Are you attending school, working or both?
- Are you planning on bringing or acquiring a pet?
- Do you use tobacco and/or nicotine products or other drugs?
- Does the use of tobacco, nicotine products or other drugs bother you?
Sharing and expenses
- When do you pay bills, rent, etc.?
- How do you intend to pay utilities (evenly, separately)?
- What are your thoughts on sharing and/or borrowing?
- How do you intend to share the expenses of purchasing common space items?
- How do you intend to share the expenses of purchasing common food items?
- Is there anything that you are unwilling to share?
Noise and quiet time
- What's your sleep schedule?
- When is noise acceptable?
- How often do you have music on?
- Do you have regular study or work hours at home?
- How often will you be coming and going?
Food and drink
- How often do you intend to cook in the home?
- Do you have any allergies, dietary restrictions or food sensitivities?
- How do you feel about alcohol in the home?
- How often do you intend to drink alcohol in the home?
Cleaning and Upkeep
- How messy or neat are you?
- How clean do you typically keep your kitchen?
- How clean do you typically keep your bathroom?
- How do you handle personal messes like dishes?
- How do you intend to split up cleaning responsibilities?
- How often do you intend to clean?