Pexels.com royalty-free image #1036804, uploaded by user Afta Putta Gunawan, retrieved from https://www.pexels.com/photo/men-sits-of-sofa-1036804/ on September 4th, 2019. License details available at https://www.pexels.com/photo-license/ - image is licensed under the Pexels License
May 21, 2025
May 26, 2025
Did you know that the vast majority of adults in the United States live with others? According to Next Gen Personal Finance, a measly 14% of adults live by themselves, meaning 86% have roommates or housemates of some kind.
If you're searching for a new roommate, you may be wondering how to find the perfect roommate match. How do you initiate a conversation between candidates when you're screening multiple possibilities?
That's where roommate compatibility questions come into play. In this article, we'll detail some of the many questions to ask a potential roommate so you can feel confident about your new housemate.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, remote work has risen sharply in the US. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, even with return-to-office mandates, millions of Americans still work from home.
It's important to know if your roommate will work remotely or leave the house to go to their job, especially if you work from home. You'll need to consider factors such as:
For instance, if you both have meetings simultaneously, it may be difficult to concentrate due to overlapping calls. Or, if your housemate works the night shift for a call center, listening to them talking all night long could interrupt your sleep.
Sleep habits aren't just important for shared rooms in college dorms. They are just as important in any shared living space.
Early birds and night owls can sometimes have trouble coexisting. Morning people enjoy starting their day early and going to bed earlier as well, while night owls tend to thrive in the evening.
Don't let opposite schedules completely discourage you from housing together. It is possible to maintain different preferences and still be respectful. Choosing the right roommate can mean making compromises, such as quiet periods in the morning and at night.
Substance use is a very personal decision, but it can also affect the lifestyle of those around you. That's why it's important to be up front about whether you smoke, vape, or drink.
Even if you do not smoke, simply being around a smoker can have side effects. Secondhand smoke can cause issues such as:
Make your rules clear regarding smoking. A good rule of thumb is not to allow any smoking or vaping inside the house. Those who engage in the habit can smoke on the patio or off the property.
Marijuana consumption is another factor. Although marijuana is legal in many states, it's still prohibited for many jobs. If your potential roommate uses weed, let them know right away if that is something you're not comfortable with.
Drinking is a common pastime for many Americans. A glass of wine with dinner or a beer to unwind after a long day at work are popular habits.
However, daily drinking can be a slippery slope into alcoholism. Ask about how often they drink and what types of beverages they enjoy. An occasional beer may be fine, but drinking hard liquor every night can be overwhelming.
If you engage in a sober lifestyle or you're a recovering alcoholic, it may be best to have sober roommates as well. For those who still want to drink, discuss whether they can keep the alcohol in their private space or consume it outside of the house.
Every individual has different cleaning standards. What may seem like a mess to one person can be perfectly reasonable to another. That's why it's vital to outline your expectations before signing the lease paperwork.
If possible, try to find a middle ground. You can agree on a cleaning schedule or outline fair expectations. One of the tradeoffs you must make when living with others is compromising to save money.
Cleanliness is one of the most important factors when considering a new roommate. That is why our company matches ideal roommates together. If you're aware of each other's habits up front, there is less potential for conflict.
Consider making a chore chart. Divide responsibilities fairly and gently hold each other accountable. To avoid monotony, try switching up the tasks every week or month.
Having a partner can be tricky when you live with roommates. When you do not set clear boundaries right away, it is easy to overstep and cause emotional conflict.
Talk to your roommate about what you're willing to allow for significant others. For instance, you might agree that sleeping over two nights a week is the maximum amount you feel comfortable with. Or, if the other person showers and uses electricity, they may need to contribute extra to the monthly utility bills.
Your housing situation likely will not work if you are an introvert and your roommate is a social butterfly. Like many other situations that arise when sharing a living space, compromise is key.
Even if you don't enjoy having people over, it is unfair to expect your roommate to never have guests. Likewise, your housemate shouldn't have people over constantly who will intrude on your space.
A good compromise would be to allow guests a few nights a week. Perhaps your roommate can let you know beforehand so you'll be able to make alternative plans or stay in your room.
Your roommate's cooking and eating habits will determine important factors such as kitchen and refrigerator space. For example, if they like to cook at home, they need adequate room for items such as:
In smaller homes, such as apartments or homes with multiple roommates, shared space can be limited. Label shelves in the fridge, cabinets, and pantry sections so every resident has a fair amount of room.
Always prepare for changes in your roommate's eating habits. Even if they eat out consistently, they may want to cook at home to save money. Remember, they deserve an equal amount of space for their kitchen items.
Food allergies can be a serious concern when living with others. Reactions can range from uncomfortable to deadly.
For example, those with celiac disease can have a painful reaction if there is cross-contamination with gluten. You may need to discuss mitigation measures such as:
Dietary preferences also need to be taken into consideration. Vegetarians or vegans may not want to share pots and pans with housemates who consume meat or dairy products.
To avoid mix-ups, ask your potential roommate if they have a preferred solution, such as keeping items completely separate or using a labeling system.
Money is a deeply personal matter, and shared expenses can cause conflict among roommates. Common shared costs include:
Some expenses have fixed monthly fees, but others can vary based on usage. How will you determine a fair method to divide the cost?
It is often difficult to determine utility usage without extensive analysis. However, this can be time-consuming and often isn't worth the effort.
One exception is if there is clear-cut usage. For example, a roommate who works from home should agree to pay more for electricity to power their home office setup. A housemate who prefers to take longer showers can offer to chip in more for the water bill.
You may also have to compromise when unexpected shared expenses arise. During a heat wave, running the air conditioner may be necessary to maintain a livable temperature, a situation that may cause a hefty electric bill.
By acknowledging and tackling these issues before they arise, you can coexist peacefully and still maintain your preferred lifestyles.
Consolidating household items can save money and space. However, you must discuss shared usage before assuming that your roommate's things are fair game.
Ask them if they have any possessions they would prefer to keep to themselves. They may have an expensive video game system that they don't want others to use.
If possible, keep things in your personal space that are not communal property. It doesn't make sense to put a television out in the living room if your housemates cannot use it.
You can also split the cost of cheaper alternatives. Find items like vacuum cleaners, furniture, and appliances on secondhand websites or Facebook Marketplace. You'll still be able to enjoy shared items without hurting your wallet.
Previous tenants may also leave behind items. Consider them household property if they aren't specifically designate for anyone.
Inquiring about pets is one of the most important living arrangement questions. You may love furry friends, but potential roommates need to have the same viewpoint.
If your roommate has pets, ask them if their pets get along with other animals. Solitary pets may not coexist well with newcomers. Sometimes pets have a difficult time getting used to new animals in the house.
Inform roommates about your landlord's pet policy. Pet policies may include:
You also need to consider allergies. Similar to food allergies, pet allergies can be minor, like a stuffy nose, or deadly, causing anaphylactic shock.
Pets may use up additional resources as well. For example, tanks often require heat and electricity to keep pets at an optimal temperature.
Choosing the right roommate is more than just eating habits or cleanliness standards. Personality types can play a huge role and make or break your housemate relationship.
Although it is possible for introverts and extroverts to get along in a shared living situation, discussions need to occur beforehand.
Introverts prefer to spend time by themselves, while extroverts thrive on human contact. Communication is essential to avoid hurt feelings and uncomfortable scenarios.
As an introvert, you may want to spend your free time watching television in your room or reading a book. It's important to remind an extroverted roommate not to take your behavior personally, as it is essential to recharge.
Bad roommates can cause real, lifelong trauma. It is important to share triggers or situations that are unacceptable in any roommate situation.
It may be difficult for them to talk about a tough roommate experience from the past. Let them know that they do not have to share any details that they don't want to. The main goal of the exercise is to make them as comfortable as possible.
Take extra steps to help your roommate recover from their previous situation. Did they have a roommate who overcharged them for utilities? When you pay the bills, send screenshots so they know they're not being grifted.
Usually, it's standard to keep your finances private. This can also be true to a degree with roommates. It's common to inquire about whether a potential roommate can afford:
Most landlords require prospective tenants to submit proof of income with their rental application. They may have a standard requirement, such as three times the rent, or they may evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
Finding a roommate doesn't have to be a difficult and time-consuming process. With these questions to ask a potential roommate, you can easily screen potential roommates and find the perfect match.
Are you looking for your next housemate? Reazy Hub is here to help. We connect private landlords, tenants, and roommates to provide a safe and informative search experience.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with all of your housing needs!
Comments