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6 Red Flags Regarding Roommates

Lehi Roommates Arguing Over Dirty DishesIf you are envisioning sharing a Lehi rental home with a roommate, it’s critical to comprehend what to look for. Even if bad roommates are thankfully rare, there are so many horror stories to make anyone think twice before sharing their home with a stranger. The opposite is also true: now and again roommates grow to be some of the best friends you’ll ever have.

Conceding that there are no guarantees, there are red flags you can ascertain to help you see what type of roommate any person might be. Here are a small number of things you need to know that can be useful to you in spotting a really bad roommate.

1.   Badly Written Ad

Not all of us are that good at writing ads, although a poorly written or incomplete ad may depict that the person who posted it is hiding something or isn’t ready to put much effort into even small tasks. Either way, an ad rife with misspellings or one that is missing basic information about the rental situation may be a signal of incoming trouble ahead. Keep in mind that Real Property Management does not advertise on Craigslist. Always apply directly from our website.

2.   Answers to Questions are Vague or Inconsistent

Another red flag to look out for is while asking questions about the roommate or rental arrangements. It’s critical to ask why the last roommate left (if there was one) or why they are moving in with you and why they need a new place to live. If their answers to these doubts are vague or they seem unwilling to talk about it, it’s likely that they were somehow at fault.

3.   Messy House

If you are responding to an ad for a roommate, validate the living conditions just before you commit. Through your visit, take a good hard look at the cleanliness of the space – and not just on the surface. Ideally, take notice of signs that things are not being cleaned consistently, particularly dusty ceiling fans or dirty dishes piled in the sink. If the rental house is messy, that’s an adequate reason to walk away. Nobody wants to lose out on a security deposit because of a bad roommate.

4.   No Job or References

Along with asking the roommate about themselves, ask about the potential roommate’s job and for at least two references. If they don’t seem to have a job or are opposed to providing references, both are red flags that something isn’t right. As asking questions about a person’s finances may feel awkward, it’s the best way to steer away from getting trapped with a roommate that won’t be able to pay their portion of the rent each month. When, on the other hand, you are applying for a rental through RPM Utah County, our screening process incorporates landlord references to learn about prior tenant behaviors.

5.   Significant Other

Another integral thing you should ascertain is whether your potential roommate has a significant other and how much time that person spends in the house. Now and again, a roommate’s significant other will spend a great deal of time in the place where they practically live rent-free. This may not be an arrangement that you are apt to agree to, specifically if they are noisy or disruptive.

In the case of a landlord-tenant relationship, a significant other should ALWAYS submit an application. Otherwise, this may be a case of an unauthorized tenant which may be grounds to terminate your leases.

6.   Listen to Your Intuition

There are times a person may feel like an appropriate roommate on paper, but when you meet them, something feels off. That apprehensive feeling in all likelihood is your intuition telling you something is unsuitable, even if you can’t immediately see what it is. The ideal thing you can do is listen to your gut and check elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.

 

Living with roommates can be an issue, but finding the right one could make your life even better! Are you in search of a rental home that you could share with a roommate or two? RPM Real Property Management Utah County has an inventory of quality rental properties near you. Besides that, our thorough tenant screening process helps eliminate red flags. Browse our rentals and apply online today.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

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