Finding a new housemate is really stressful

splitimage · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:38 AM

After getting totally burned by my last housemate, I need to find someone new, to move in with me, to cover 1/2 the rent since I can't afford the place on my own.

I've advertised and got a good response. I've got 15 people coming over in the next 3 days to see the apartment.

I've got a standard rental application for them to fill out and I'm going to be super careful about checking references.

It's just really stressful, having to show people my space, and make a big decision based on limited information.

splitimage

lightly toasted · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:53 PM

I wish you good luck. My fingers are crossed for you.

possum220 · Jul 18, 2019 at 06:08 AM

You are the one in control. Ask all the questions you need like "how are they going to pay rent?" What is their work history? What is their rental history?
It is hard to have strangers in your home but remember it is your home. You learned much from your last tenant. I know here in Australia we have some registry for tenants and it tells what their tenant history is like. Can you have access to that?
Fingers crossed that you will find the loveliest of tenants who pays promptly and without the drama. Thinking of you.

eskielover · Jul 19, 2019 at 08:39 PM

You learned a lot from your last experience. I think you may be a much better judge of character (yes she certainly was a character) this time & I am sure red flags will be more obvious

Looking forward to hearing what the people are like

phihuxn · Jul 20, 2019 at 04:12 AM

how did you find good roommates in a new city?
moving across the country in a few months for my first big girl young professional job! living alone is probably not the most affordable nor the most emotionally safe option for me - where do I find a roommate who’s not so random they’re creepy/weird/awful? they don’t have to be my best friend but I’d like to like living with them. I've tried Symbi app on Apknite but nothing seems to be working.

splitimage · Jul 20, 2019 at 06:55 AM

Thanks everyone.

Eskie - yes my last room mate definitely gave me a better appreciation of red flags. Out of all the people who came to see the apartment yesterday, I'm only interested in one guy - who thought to bring his references with him.

There are 3 people, I'm particularly interested in coming today, so we'll see how it goes.

Unfortunately there's no central registry of tenants here that I can check so I have to go on their word and what their references say.

splitimage

splitimage · Jul 21, 2019 at 07:02 AM

Well, I have someone, pending the rest of his references checking out. He was super organized and brought his payslips, to prove income, and had all his references ready.

He's 30, East Indian, works as an insurance adjuster and drives for Uber. He doesn't drink or smoke, and he has a cat, which I'm fine with.

His last landlord gave him a really good reference. Now I'm just waiting to hear from one of his former roommates, and his manager on Mon.

I really hope the rest of his references check out.\

splitimage

eskielover · Jul 21, 2019 at 07:57 AM

That sounds very promising. Hope everything checks out well....that will be a huge relief for you

possum220 · Jul 21, 2019 at 08:49 AM

Sounds like he is the opposite of your former room mate. The fact that he has a cat makes him sound like a caring guy. I hope the phone calls can settle your mind. Here's to having a good tenant and maybe a nice pet.

splitimage · Jul 22, 2019 at 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phihuxn

how did you find good roommates in a new city?
moving across the country in a few months for my first big girl young professional job! living alone is probably not the most affordable nor the most emotionally safe option for me - where do I find a roommate who’s not so random they’re creepy/weird/awful? they don’t have to be my best friend but I’d like to like living with them. I've tried Symbi app on Apknite but nothing seems to be working.

There's a site called roommates.com that you can register on, that posts both ads for rooms and for rooms wanted. I'm pretty sure they're in the states as well as Canada.

I'd try to find where most rooms are advertised in the city you want to move to, here in Toronto it's Kijiji (also in the US I believe), or perhaps craigs list, but I think you have to be a bit more careful with that.

Look at the ads that interest you, and contact the rentor. Be ready with a list of questions that you need to know to make a decision, and be prepared to answer lots of questions about yourself.

Good luck.
splitimage

Medusax · Jul 23, 2019 at 07:21 PM

Darling, you have my sympathy. We had a roomie that I met at work. It just all fell into place due to the needs of each person. He was a perfect fit. However....those are few and far between. I am NOT an easy match, am very private, and most people are untrustworthy. I really DO wish you luck I hope you find the perfect person.

splitimage · Jul 24, 2019 at 06:52 AM

Well, his work references checked out well, so I've offered and he accepted the place. He's moving in on Thurs., so I've got a bunch to do between now and then.

Everyone says he's quiet, very clean, and keeps to himself. His boss says he's a hard worker, and he also drives for Uber on the side so he's driven.

Hopefully he'll work out. I think he will but there are no guarantees. We'll see how it goes once he moves in.

splitimage

possum220 · Jul 24, 2019 at 07:27 AM

Yay you got through this process. Fingers crossed that he will turn into the flat mate of your dreams.

splitimage · Jul 25, 2019 at 03:24 PM

So far so good. He e-transfered July's rent this morning, and he's bringing a cheque for first and last month's rent when he comes over tonight.

I succeeded in getting all my x-roommate's stuff packed into bags and out of the room. Unfortunately that means they're all in my dining room as I didn't have a chance to get the boxes out of the storeroom. Will do that tomorrow or the weekend, depending on the temperature.

Can't wait to meet his cat.

splitimage

splitimage · Jul 27, 2019 at 02:08 PM

Well he's moved in, and so far so good. He's really quiet, and definitely keeps to himself.

His cat is cute. She seems friendly but super shy. She ventured out of his room this morning to sniff me, and let me scratch her head. but then retreated back to his room.

Today I managed to get all the junk/boxes out of the store room, and so got the ex room mates stuff into it. It's now completely cluttered, but at least the dining room is empty.

Having this guy as a room mate is going to be really good motivation for me to keep up with the cleaning, as he's a clean freak.

And he tolerates my Live PD fixation, as his Mom loves the show too.

eskielover · Jul 27, 2019 at 02:29 PM

Sounds like things are going great. Nice to have a normal person & normal interfacing in one's living environment.

Lol....yep when people come over that is when I clean.....then try to keep it clean after that.

possum220 · Jul 27, 2019 at 10:58 PM

PD fixation? Sounds like its going well. I am sure he and his cat will chill out a bit more over the coming days and weeks ahead.

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lightly toasted Poohbah Member Since Mar 2019 Location: Here and There Posts: 1,147 5 1,724 hugs given	Jul 17, 2019 at 09:53 PM #2 I wish you good luck. My fingers are crossed for you.
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eskielover Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Oct 2004 Location: Kentucky, USA Posts: 24,751 (SuperPoster!) 19 14.6k hugs given	Jul 21, 2019 at 07:57 AM #8 That sounds very promising. Hope everything checks out well....that will be a huge relief for you __________________ Leo's favorite place was in the passenger seat of my truck. We went everywhere together like this. Leo my soulmate will live in my heart FOREVER Nov 1, 2002 - Dec 16, 2018
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possum220 Legendary Member Since Jan 2009 Location: Uppa Gumtree West Posts: 19,397 (SuperPoster!) 15 7,983 hugs given	Jul 21, 2019 at 08:49 AM #9 Sounds like he is the opposite of your former room mate. The fact that he has a cat makes him sound like a caring guy. I hope the phone calls can settle your mind. Here's to having a good tenant and maybe a nice pet.
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possum220 Legendary Member Since Jan 2009 Location: Uppa Gumtree West Posts: 19,397 (SuperPoster!) 15 7,983 hugs given	Jul 24, 2019 at 07:27 AM #13 Yay you got through this process. Fingers crossed that he will turn into the flat mate of your dreams.
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possum220 Legendary Member Since Jan 2009 Location: Uppa Gumtree West Posts: 19,397 (SuperPoster!) 15 7,983 hugs given	Jul 27, 2019 at 10:58 PM #17 PD fixation? Sounds like its going well. I am sure he and his cat will chill out a bit more over the coming days and weeks ahead.
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