Questions to Ask Potential Roommates

If you’ve ever watched The Odd Couple, then you know just how infuriating it can be to live under the same roof as someone whose habits run counter to your own. Even people who seem to have lots in common in the outside world can be vastly different when it comes to matters of domestic behavior. If you’re going to be sharing an apartment with a roommate who you don’t already know personally, it’s probably best to determine your compatibility level before you sign a joint lease. If you’re vetting potential roommates, below are some of the most important questions to ask.

Do You Smoke?

If you’re not somebody who smokes, or if you know that you’re irritated by or sensitive to the smell of cigarette or cigar smoke, this should be one of the first questions you ask your potential roommate. Although many apartments nowadays have strict “no indoor smoking” policies, even living with someone who goes outside to smoke cigarettes can be off-putting, as their clothes and their belongings might still reek of tar and nicotine. 

Do You Have Any Pets?

This is a great question to ask for a few reasons. First and foremost, your apartment building will probably have a pet policy that you’ll need to comply with. Secondly, if you plan to bring your own four-legged companion, you’ll want to know whether or not the little critter will have a roommate of their own. For instance, if you have a cat and your potential roommate has a dog, it might not be a match made in heaven.

What Do You Do For a Living?

Not that you can completely judge someone based on their profession alone, but whether your new roommate is a bartender, a kindergarten teacher, a stock trader, or a dog walker/barista/struggling actor will inform some aspects of his or her life, such as how early they wake up, how late they stay up, and if they’ll be working from home. In addition to shedding some light on what their daily routine might look like, this question can give you an idea of how your new roommate will be paying for their portion of the rent.  

How Often Do You Have Friends/Family/Visitors Over?

Some people are social butterflies, while others never seem to burst out of their cocoons. And then there are people who aren’t necessarily anti-social by any means but want their place of residence to be a complete refuge from the outside world. If you fall into either of the two latter categories, determining how frequently your new roommate plans to have guests over is a good idea. Will it only be mom and dad visiting during the holidays? Or, will the whole gang be coming over to play Dungeons & Dragons three nights a week?

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If you’re considering making the Quarters Apartments in Lady Lake, Florida, your new home, contact us today, or stop by our leasing office to learn more. We would be happy to take you on a tour of our wonderful community!