10 Questions To Ask A Potential Roommate
While deciding on student apartments near UMN is a no-brainer once you visit The Quad on Delaware, choosing a roommate might take more time. A good roommate can become one of your closest friends — as long as they are a good match with your personality, lifestyle, and habits. For the best experiences in UMN off campus housing, use these simple questions to help find a suitable roommate. Once you’ve found the perfect roommate, contact us today to schedule an apartment tour.
What Is Your Schedule Like?
While having a roommate with the same schedule isn’t an absolute requirement, it can help avoid future conflicts. For example, one of you might be a night owl and make noise while the other is waking up and getting ready for an early class at 6 a.m.
Do You Have A Vehicle?
Public transportation might be accessible in Minneapolis, but you don’t want to be responsible for making sure your roommate gets to work or school on time.
Do You Drink?
Similar to smoking, it’s important to establish ground rules for drinking. Make sure to ask about their drinking habits and whether they intend to host parties at home. Residents looking for a quieter roommate don’t want someone who parties all night.
What Are Your Cleaning Habits?
Does your roommate wash dishes immediately or let them set? Are they expecting that everyone pitch in for cleaning or only be responsible for their own messes? Are they open to a chore/laundry chart? Finding a roommate who matches your cleaning schedule is an important factor in preventing conflicts.
How Often Do You Use The Kitchen?
Kitchen use is also a form of sharing, especially if it’s a small kitchen. If you have to schedule the kitchen around each other, are they willing to compromise? What about taking turns and making communal meals to share? Be sure to have a conversation about how often you cook and the times you’ll be cooking.
Do You Smoke Or Vape?
Smoking and vaping can lead to severe health problems. If they smoke and you have asthma or the other way around, consider choosing a roommate who doesn’t smoke or vape.
How Do You Feel About Sharing?
Some roommates are very particular about what they are and are not willing to share, including groceries, cleaning supplies, and areas inside the home. Find out if they have clear cut lines on what they consider communal and what they’re willing to share.
Do You Have Any Allergies Or Special Dietary Requirements?
It’s important to know if they have any life-threatening allergies. Even if they don’t eat your food, some allergies are so severe that even being around areas exposed to the allergen can cause an allergic reaction. They might also be vegetarian or vegan and have issues with you cooking meat or vice versa.
Do You Have Pets?
If spiders give you the heebie-jeebies, you probably don’t want a roommate with a pet tarantula. You also need to come to an understanding of how fees and deposits will be handled in relation to any pets. If their dog causes damage to the carpet, are they prepared to cover the costs of repair on their own?
What Are Your Personal Boundaries?
Will they be wandering around the apartment in a towel or entering your room without knocking? It’s good to establish what you’re comfortable with right from the start and have open communication right away.