There are many reasons why you would want a flatmate or someone to share
your accommodation. These range from financial reasons to help pay the rent or
mortgage, to social aspects of making new friends.
You may also be deciding to rent a place with a friend of yours, as
co-signees on a new lease. You should be aware that this can be a great
experience or turn into an uncomfortable situation for everyone. Even though
you know someone as a friend you still need to discuss the commitment of
sharing a home together.
You need to ask yourself some questions in the process, like what are the
things important to you and what type of people do you want to live with?
It's all fun and should hopefully work out just great for you. If you
feel you want to do some prep work on the ‘who and how’ here are some tips and
questions to ask potential house mates to help get some great harmony in your
place.
When asking these questions just preface the questions by stating that
you would like to cover these topics to ensure that everyone has a clear and
fair understanding about living together.
·
What are you seeking from a
flatmate?
·
Have you ever had a flatmate
before?
·
What, if anything, bothered
you about your flatmates?
·
What do you like to do
socially?
·
Do you play any sport or
belong to any clubs or teams?
·
Where did you go to school?
·
Do you have a
boyfriend/girlfriend or other friend who will be staying here frequently?
·
Overnight guests - this is
an important thing to plan ahead for - especially if your place is rather
small. There's nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in your own apartment
if your roommate has frequent guests, friends or family popping in or staying
over - especially if they empty the fridge or commandeer the TV remote!
·
Borrowing: does it bother
you or could you just not care less? This includes not just clothing but
computer or computer time, books, etc.
·
Pets? If you don't like pets
or are allergic or like some pets but not others make it known right out.
·
Do you smoke? Drink? Do
drugs? If yes to any, how often?
·
Do you stay out late on
weekdays?
·
What is your occupation?
What hours do you work?
·
Did/do you have any credit
problems? You need to know whether they can afford to pay the rent.
·
What do you like to watch on
television?
·
What music do you listen to?
·
Do you study?
·
Do you have any unusual
habits?
You can also share this information about yourself with any potential
flatmate so that they understand you also. You want to get to that point of
feeling harmony and understanding between each other.
Try and get a gauge on how financially responsible your would-be flatmate
is, this is important if it's your name on the lease, or decide decide whether
your flatmate should go on the lease with you. Remember that whomever's name is
on the lease is responsible for the condition of the property and the payment
of the rent. This burden can be shared by adding names to the lease which you
can do with the property manager or landlord.
Note that you may also wish to obtain a bond from the flatmate and this
needs to be documented appropriately between yourselves or with the property
manager or lodged directly with the bond board in each state.
Once you've found someone you think you could possibly live with, be sure
to make a list of ‘good house guidelines’ and write them down. This would
include sharing the shopping or laundry duties, cleaning schedule, telephone
schedule, putting the bins out, the do's and the don'ts. And perhaps even
consider agreeing upon an escape plan if things just don't work out: who
leaves, who stays, etc.
Having a flatmate can be discovering a friend for life. Just take it
slowly and realise that respecting your flatmate as an individual and some well
placed compromise is the best way to survival and a great friendship during
fantastic years of enjoyment!
