11 Tips for Finding a Roommate Who Doesn’t Drive You Crazy

Ah, roommates. Sometimes you can’t stand to live with them, but with rents and home costs these days, it may be impossible to live without them. Since bunking up with a best friend is usually not a risk worth taking, most people looking to split rent find themselves wondering how to find a roommate.

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Worry not: The difference between a good roommate and a bad roommate is really just finding someone who is financially reliable and whose habits and co-living values align with your own. These are things you can determine with good questions, careful research, and smart timing. Here are nine tips for upping your odds of roommate compatibility.

1. Give Yourself Plenty of Time To Find the Right Person.

Sometimes last-minute living adjustments have to be made — like when your current roommate gets a job and has to relocate quickly — but you should try to give yourself as much lead time as possible. That way, you can ask around and advertise for roommates, conduct multiple interviews, and have time to make what is a vitally important decision without feeling rushed. The amount of time you should set aside for the search may vary depending on where you live and what the rental market is like — finding a roommate in NYC will look a little different than in Chattanooga — but across the board, more time is better (particularly if you’re navigating how to find a roommate in a new city). 

Q: How do most people find roommates? A: There is no one right way to find a good roommate, but most people use multiple tactics to up their chances of finding a roommate. Three of the top ways include using social media, such as Facebook Groups, alumni pages, and Nextdoor groups; asking friends, family, and colleagues if they know anyone looking; and searching roommate listings through sites like Craigslist, Reddit, Roomster, and Roommates.com.

2. Figure Out What’s Important to You in a Living Situation.

When figuring out how to find a roommate, keep in mind that one person’s ideal co-living companion is another’s nightmare. So before you even start the search, think about which factors matter most to you. Here are a few examples:

• Have you been burned by a deadbeat roommate, making financial responsibility your top priority?
• Are you a vegetarian who would rather avoid the smell of cooking meat?
• Does a sink full of dishes really grind your gears?
• Is finding a cat or dog lover a must because you have a pet?

Write down your top five non-negotiables, then another five attributes that would be great but aren’t deal breakers (they love to bake, sweet!), and keep the list handy when chatting with any contenders. Having a strong handle on what’s important to you will ensure that you don’t choose someone with a major incompatibility, and making note of extra-nice elements can help you settle on the best fit if it comes down to a tie. Remember, you’re not just figuring out how to get a roommate but how to find a good roommate for you.

Q: How do I find a good random roommate? A: Finding a random person to live with isn’t hard, given the network of connections possible through social media, alumni networks, and roommate-matching sites. But the key to landing a good roommate is in the screening process. Set up an in-person meeting, if possible (or a virtual one, if not), and have a thorough conversation about how you would set up finances for the apartment, living habits, and roommate expectations to make sure you’d be compatible as roommates. Then, when you’re ready to sign the lease together, draw up a roommate agreement together, so you always have a document to refer back to should disagreements arise.

3. Use Social Media and Online Outreach to Your Advantage.

Finally, a valid reason to spend time browsing social media. Figuring out how to find a roommate online can seem daunting, but there are tons of great resources if you know how to tap into them. Facebook is a wonderful tool for people wondering how to find a roommate, and most cities have multiple groups designated for apartment and roommate searching. Another option is to put a call out in groups that are non-housing specific but host a network of like-minded people. For instance, you might try a college class page (great if you’re wondering how to find a roommate in college), LGBTQ+-friendly groups, your Nextdoor site, or a neighborhood association page.

Post in multiple groups, making sure to include the rent amount and pictures of the apartment (if you already have one), a little bit about yourself, and a few factors that are important to you. You can also message people directly who say they’re looking for a new place, or even make a status on your own Facebook page (or Instagram or X — formerly known as Twitter) to see if any friends know of someone who could be a potential roommate for you.

Facebook, in particular, is convenient because you have the advantage of finding mutual friends and can learn a bit about potential roommates by poking around their profiles. While Reddit and Craigslist use a more anonymous format for initial pre-screening, they cast a wide net and can also be helpful sites for connecting with potential roomies. (Craigslist roommates may seem risky, but it’s just another way of finding a roommate, and it can be a great place to search.)

Some sites and apps specialize in helping people find roommates. While they may charge a small fee, some offer extra services for helping you vet potential matches. Established roommate finder sites to try include:

• Roommates.com
• Roomster
• Roomi

Whatever method you use, remember to take precautions with anyone you’ve met online. Arrange your first meeting in a public place where you feel safe, and consider bringing a friend with you — always important steps for how to find a roommate safely.

Q: How do I find roommates on social media? A: Social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, X, and even LinkedIn can be great tools for people wondering how to find a roommate. Not only can you put out your own call, but you can also ask friends to repost the request to their feed or Instagram Stories, so more people see it. While living with a best friend can be risky, living with a distant friend-of-a-friend can be a nice way to meet a roommate you may already have some things in common with.

 

4. Ask Friends and Colleagues.

You should always leverage your own social circles both offline and online. Let your friends know that you’re looking for a roommate and see if they know of anyone who’s also on the lookout or may be moving soon. Even if no one comes to mind right away, they can keep an ear to the ground and ask around for you. If you belong to a church, that can be a great place to connect with potential roommates. 

Putting the ask out to your colleagues is a smart idea, too, particularly if you’re wondering how to find a roommate in your 30s. Many larger employers offer intranets or digital bulletin boards you can use to get the word out to a wider group of people. Not only is word of mouth a great organic way to locate a roommate, but if you find someone through a friend, you’ll already have something in common! Putting the ask out to people you already know is a key tip for how to find a good roommate.

5. Get the Finances in Order.

Renting an apartment with someone else means you’re jointly responsible for paying a substantial fee to the property owner each month — so you want to make sure any money questions are settled ahead of time. Important steps to cover include:

• Asking for income and employment information — how long have they worked for their current employer?
• Deciding whose name will be on the lease and how you’ll handle rent payments.
• Requesting a credit check if they’re not on the lease.
• Determining how much each of you will pay toward rent. In many cases, an equal split makes sense, but factors such as square footage, direct access to a bathroom, a window with a view, or a walk-in closet could call for adjustments.
• Figuring out how you’ll divvy up utilities such as internet and electricity, as well as any other potentially shared expenses, like groceries.
• Setting up autopays whenever possible to go directly to your landlord, utilities, or you, if you’re the one who is making the payments.

It’s also important to talk about how everyone living in the apartment would secure funds to pay the rent if they were to lose their jobs. Even if you pay your part of rent and your roommate doesn’t, you’ll both be on the hook for meeting the full payment. You should also establish a mutual agreement about what happens if one of you needs to move out before the lease is up. For example, if one person is planning a move, they should give as much heads up as possible, and maybe they agree to continue paying rent on the room until an acceptable replacement roommate is found.

Q: How much does Roomster cost? A: Roomster describes itself as a “freemium” app, meaning you can download it for free, plus you can look at profiles and receive messages from potential roommates with no cost. To verify your profile or reply to messages on the app, though, you’ll need to upgrade your membership. In-app purchases range from $2.99 for ID verification to $49.99 for a full-access membership.

6. Ask Good Questions (And Use Your Intuition).

If a conversation with a potential roommate feels kind of like a job interview, well, you’re doing it right. In addition to the finance-related questions we covered above, don’t be afraid to ask about their lifestyle and living habits. It’s better to find out now than later, and chances are they’re wondering the same things about you. Oh, they’re in a band and host practice twice a week? Good to know! They’re going to law school and need total peace and quiet? Duly noted. 

It can seem weirdly intimate to jump right into queries about personal habits (what time of day do you like to shower?), but witnessing and working around those habits is the reality of living with someone. And, like a job interview, the conversation should be two-sided. Make sure you really listen to their answers and respond to their questions as truthfully as possible. You shouldn’t be focused on winning them over so much as making sure you’re a good fit for each other.  

Here Are Some Good Questions To Ask Potential Roommates:

• Why are you looking for a new roommate?
• What did you like and dislike about your last living situation?
• What are the five most important qualities you’re looking for in a roommate?
• Can you commit to a yearlong lease? Or, how long do you anticipate living here?
• What’s your daily work schedule like?
• Can you tell me about your cleaning habits?
• How often do you cook?
• When do you generally get up and go to bed?
• Do you prefer to shower in the morning or at night?
• How much time do you spend at home on average?
• What are your hobbies?
• How do you like to spend your weekends?
• How often do you tend to have visitors over? (If their significant other practically lives with them or they have big dinner parties most weekends, that’s good to know.) 
• How social do you like to be with your roommates?
• Do you smoke? 
• Do you have pets, or allergies to pets?
• Do you have any dietary restrictions I should be aware of?
• Do you have any accessibility concerns? 
• Can you provide references?

7. In a Post-Pandemic World, Ask Even More Questions.

If you work from home, finding the ideal roommate becomes that much more important. You’ll be spending a ton of time in your own four walls, and living with someone who you do NOT get along with will have you longing to return to the office. To ensure you’re on the same page, ask a few extra questions, such as:

• Do you work from home? If so, how many days a week? This will help you prepare the logistics of setting up work-from-home spaces.
• How strong of an internet connection do you need? If you both spend a lot of time on video calls, investing in a stronger connection may save you from spotty connections and a million “Can you repeat thats?”
• How quiet do you need the home during work hours? Include a follow-up question asking when they take calls. If you both have a weekly scrum Monday mornings, you’ll want to arrange taking them in different rooms.
• When do you usually take lunch? If you make lunch each day, consider if you will be cooking for two or not.
• How much space do you need to get your job done? Consider your home’s layout. Will you be working in the same room? Or will you each have a dedicated area separate from each other?

8. Spend Some Time Together Before Deciding.

In a way, finding a roommate is a little like dating. You want to get a sense of the other person before committing to anything serious. You may be seeing more of a potential roommate than a significant other, after all. 

In all the hustle of figuring out how to find a roommate, make sure to reserve some time together before signing a lease. Arrange a few hang-outs at a neutral location, so you can see how they are in a public situation and if you two get along as people. You don’t need to be best friends, but you’ll want to be on the lookout for some basic traits, like their sense of humor, hobbies, and interests.

9. Decide on All the Logistics Before Moving in Together.

Once you find someone you can see yourself living with, it’s tempting to breathe a sigh of relief and wait until moving day to cover more details. But for peace of mind and the smoothest possible transition, you’d do well to work out a few mundane details ahead of time. Here are a few questions to answer together prior to move-in day:

Furnishing the Apartment

What do you have room for, and do either of you already have some furniture to bring? If one of you is already living in the apartment, should you do some decluttering to make room?

Utilities

Whose name will the bills be in? Will you split them 50/50? Or if one roommate has a TV in their room, or someone needs super-fast Wi-Fi for working from home, will you decide on a proportional division?

The Room

Who’s taking which room? And if the rooms aren’t identical, will each pay an adjusted rent for the size?

Insurance

Renters insurance is a good idea whether or not you have a roommate. Talk to your agent about how to share a policy or if you should get your own.

• Furnishing the apartment: What do you have room for, and do either of you already have some furniture to bring? If one of you is already living in the apartment, should you do some decluttering to make room?
• Utilities: Whose name with the bills be in? Will you split them 50/50? Or, if one roommate has a TV in their room, or someone needs super-fast Wi-Fi for working from home, will you decide on a proportional division?
• The room: Who’s taking which room? And if the rooms aren’t identical, will each pay an adjusted rent for the size?
• Insurance: Renters insurance is a good idea whether or not you have a roommate. Talk to your agent about how to share a policy or if you should get your own.

10. Write and Sign a Roommate Agreement.

Now that you’ve gone through all the effort of asking the many, many questions and coming to an agreement on important topics with your new housemate, it’s time to put the highlights in writing. While it won’t be legally binding, having a document to refer back to makes good sense for renters of any age. That way, if wrinkles arise, you can iron them out by looking at the guidelines you established together, and talking it through from a common starting point. Who knows? The act of writing the agreement might even spark another conversation you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

11. Check In Even After You’ve Signed the Lease.

At last, you’ve conducted your roommate interviews, figured out the logistics, drawn up your roommate agreement, and completed your quest for how to find roommates. Congrats! Like any relationship, though, the one with the person (or people) you’re living with requires consistent check-ins. Make a plan to revisit your agreement on a regular basis — every six months is a good place to start — and see if there’s anything anyone would like to adjust. Maybe cleaning the bathroom and taking out the trash is falling through the cracks, so you decide to start a chore wheel. Maybe someone wants to move to the bigger bedroom and someone else needs cheaper rent, so you decide to swap rooms. Checking in on big-picture roommate things ensures you can stay living together symbiotically — and avoid having to start the roommate search all over again. 

Now that you have a tool belt to carefully vet a roommate who is both reliable and compatible, you’re ready to start your search. Even if there are a few bumps in the road, you’ll know you’ve started off on the right foot and can work it out together.

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Sofia Rivera is a Boston-based lifestyle editor and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. Her work has appeared in Boston magazine, Apartment Therapy, and more. You can most often find her redecorating her apartment, trying out a new recipe, or trekking all over the city.