100 Questions to Ask a Potential Roommate

Bringing in a new roommate isn’t just about filling a vacant room; it’s about creating a harmonious living environment. The secret to success? Knowing the right questions to ask upfront. This way, you can avoid future conflicts and enjoy a peaceful coexistence.

Here, I’ll share some crucial questions you should ask a potential roommate. Covering topics like household chores, guest policies, and financial responsibilities, these questions will give you a clearer picture of who you’re about to live with.

Stick around, and let’s ensure you make the best choice possible!

Lifestyle and Compatibility

1. What is your daily routine like?
2. Are you an early bird or a night owl?
3. Do you work or study from home?
4. How do you usually spend your weekends?
5. Do you have any hobbies or interests?
6. How do you feel about pets?
7. Do you smoke or use any substances?
8. How often do you like to have friends over?
9. Are you a neat freak or more laid-back about cleanliness?
10. Do you like to cook at home, or do you prefer eating out?
11. How do you feel about sharing household items?
12. Do you follow any specific diet or have food allergies?
13. What is your stance on playing music or watching TV loudly?
14. How often do you travel or stay elsewhere overnight?
15. Are you in a relationship, and will your partner visit often?
16. How do you deal with stress?
17. Do you like to decorate shared spaces?
18. What activities do you enjoy doing together as roommates?
19. How social are you on a daily basis?
20. Have you lived with roommates before? If so, what did you like or dislike about it?

Conflict Prevention

1. How do you handle disagreements?
2. What are your pet peeves when it comes to living arrangements?
3. How do you prefer to communicate about issues?
4. Are you open to house meetings to discuss household matters?
5. How will we handle groceries and supplies?
6. How important is privacy to you?
7. What boundaries do you expect to be respected?
8. Do you mind sharing your personal belongings?
9. How do you handle borrowing items?
10. What are your expectations for quiet hours?
11. How will we address the cleanliness of common areas?
12. Are you open to splitting chores equally?
13. How should we handle dishwashing and kitchen cleanup?
14. What are your thoughts on having parties or gatherings?
15. How would you manage conflicts regarding bills and payments?
16. How do you feel about confrontation?
17. What’s your approach to resolving conflicts civilly?
18. How do you react when someone does something that annoys you?
19. How will we set boundaries about guests?
20. How can we ensure mutual respect and peace?

Safety and Trustworthiness

1. Can you provide references from previous landlords or roommates?
2. Have you ever been evicted, and why?
3. Will you agree to a background check?
4. What’s your policy on locking doors and windows?
5. Do you feel comfortable sharing emergency contact information?
6. Have you ever had issues with law enforcement?
7. How do you handle personal security and safety?
8. Do you have any notable health concerns or allergies we should be aware of?
9. Are you okay with exchanging contact information for emergencies?
10. Do you drive, and where will you park your vehicle?
11. What’s your approach to home insurance?
12. How do you handle the safety of visitors?
13. Have you ever had conflicts that escalated to violence?
14. How often do you expect to have overnight guests?
15. Do you have a criminal record?
16. How do you ensure your own personal belongings are secure?
17. Are you comfortable with communal safety measures like shared alarms?
18. Are you okay with having regular safety drills or checks?
19. How do you react in emergency situations?
20. How do you feel about sharing responsibilities for home security?

Financial Stability

1. Where do you work, and what is your job position?
2. How long have you been employed at your current job?
3. Can you provide proof of income?
4. Do you have any outstanding debts?
5. How do you budget for monthly expenses?
6. Are you able to pay rent on time each month?
7. How do you handle unexpected financial expenses?
8. Will you agree to sign a lease agreement?
9. Do you have a history of timely rent payments?
10. Are you comfortable sharing financial responsibilities for utilities?
11. How should we handle shared household expenses?
12. How do you foresee managing shared grocery bills?
13. Do you have a plan for covering rent if you lose your job?
14. Are you able to pay a security deposit upfront?
15. Can you commit to a long-term lease?
16. How would you handle a sudden increase in rent or expenses?
17. Do you foresee any significant financial changes in the near future?
18. Are you open to splitting costs for communal items?
19. What’s your preferred method of payment for rent and bills?
20. How do you prioritize financial obligations?

Household Management

1. How do you prefer to divide household chores?
2. What is your cleaning schedule like?
3. How often do you expect to clean common areas?
4. How do you feel about a cleaning rota or schedule?
5. How will we handle grocery shopping and meal planning?
6. What’s your policy on sharing food or cooking meals together?
7. How do you manage waste and recycling?
8. How should we handle stocking household supplies?
9. What’s your approach to decorating shared spaces?
10. How do you prefer to manage home maintenance tasks?
11. What are your expectations for kitchen cleanliness?
12. How will we address bathroom usage and hygiene?
13. What’s your policy on using shared appliances?
14. How do you handle laundry schedules?
15. Are you okay with having plants and maintaining them?
16. How should we split responsibilities for pet care (if applicable)?
17. What’s your stance on using and tidying up communal spaces?
18. How often do you plan to do major cleanings?
19. How do you manage the noise level in the household?
20. What’s your policy on having overnight guests or hosting visitors?