Finding a Reliable Roommate

It seems in this town that 1 bedroom apartments are the same price as 2 bedrooms! So why not get a roommate and share the expense? Because it's hard to find a reliable and sane roommate.

Everyone's got a horror story about a seemingly nice person who turned into the "roommate from hell," trashing the place, refusing to pay his or her share of the bills or somehow finding a way to make you feel not welcome in your own home. So how do you avoid these walking disasters?

Know your limits

Before you start calling on ads, hitting up your friends or posting your own ad on Kijiji, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

• Do you want a quiet atmosphere at home, or are you looking to have one foot back in the frat house?
• Do you mind if a roommate has his girlfriend spend the night several nights a week?
• Are you looking for a buddy or do you prefer more privacy?
• How will you handle drinking or drug use?

The answers to these questions can help you determine the best place to look for a roommate. If, for instance, you want a quiet place with inexpensive rent and don't mind taking on a few extra errands, you might be able to find a home share with a senior in a desirable area.

However, if you're willing to ask the tough questions and screen applicants carefully, you'll probably attract the biggest pool of qualified people by placing an ad on Kijiji.

Screen for reliability
Once you've narrowed your search and found people you think you can tolerate, you need to make sure you can count on them.

• Run a credit check if you've already got a place and are looking for a roommate.
• Try to substantiate their job and title by calling their current employer.
• Ask for the names and numbers of former roommates who can serve as a reference.
• Do an Internet search for your potential roommates' name and e-mail address. This can turn up scams or warn you about distasteful or dangerous things they do in their spare time.
• Likewise, check out their MySpace and Facebook pages. If they seem too good to be true, it will probably be revealed there.

Agree on the big stuff before you sign
Once you've picked out a roommate or two, you need to make sure everyone's on the same page with the big issues before signing the lease.

1. Rent: What is everyone's share? Who will write the rent check if the landlord will accept only one check?
2. Space: Who will occupy which bedrooms?
3. Household chores: Who's responsible for cleaning, and on what schedule?
4. Food sharing: Will food, shopping and cooking responsibilities be shared? How will you split the costs and work?
5. Noise: When should stereos or TVs be turned off or down low?
6. Overnight guests: Is it OK for boyfriends/girlfriends to stay over every night?
7. Moving out: If one of you decides to move, how much notice must be given? Must the departing tenant find an acceptable substitute?

How can you protect yourself?
Once these questions are answered to your satisfaction, you should spell them out in a roommate agreement letter that is signed by both (or all) of you sharing the house.

If you are renting a place with someone new, having both of your names on the lease and splitting the deposit is a good idea. But don't think this will keep the landlord from coming after you for the full rent if your roommate skips town. It will merely ensure that you can go after your roommate for the money owed you.

Because so much money is at stake, most experts advise asking for a month-to-month or other short-term lease until you can be sure the situation will work out.

Lastly, install key locks on each person's bedroom door as an additional measure of protection. That way there is no cause for suspicion about lost items or privacy.

Found on MSN Money