How to Find a Roommate Without Using Paid Services

Whether you are looking for a roommate to share an apartment or your house, it is always smart to screen applicants carefully. Performing a background check and casual interviewing will help you avoid scammers and people with a bad credit history. Leverage your social networks by telling friends and family that you are in search of a new roommate. Even if they don’t know anyone, they may have connections.

Despite getting a bad rap for scams and sketchy situations, Craigslist is still one of the best resources to find roommates. If you’re able to use common sense and meet people in person first, it can be a great resource for finding someone with whom you’ll get along. Depending on the city, there may be specific sections of Craigslist dedicated to roommates. You can also check the classified ads in your local newspaper and social media pages to find roommates. Many people have a hard time trusting strangers, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions when meeting up with potential roommates.

You can also try websites that match roommates, such as Diggz and Roomi. Both are free to join, but they charge for extra services like ID checks and background checks. Another option is Rainbow Roommates, which is based in New York City and matches members of the LGBTQ community. It costs $30 for a 30-day account and includes interview guidelines and sample roommate contracts.

There are a number of apartment forums online that host roommate listings. These can be a great way to find a roommate in your area. Some of these forums even have their own search function that can match you with potential roommates based on the criteria you specify in your posting. You can also put the word out on social media to see if any of your friends or acquaintances are interested in living with you. Just be sure to take precautions when meeting someone you found on social media. Always meet in a public place, and try to bring a friend along for safety reasons.

When you’re looking for a roommate, it’s important to ask lots of questions and really listen to their answers. While it might feel weird to discuss personal habits like what time of the day they shower, this is a huge part of what living together is all about. This can help you weed out people who are not a good fit for your lifestyle. If you’re a social media junkie, there are plenty of resources to help you find a roommate. Some sites let you narrow your search to people who are looking for a particular lifestyle, while others offer features like background checks and in-app messaging.

You can also try a site such as Reddit, which has specific subreddits for housing in your area. The site is free, but you may have to do some digging to find a good match. It’s best to meet in person before signing a lease. Many Facebook groups are dedicated to roommate-hunting, and some neighborhoods even have their own Nextdoor sites. You can also ask for recommendations from friends. Just be sure to keep your search public, and be wary of roommates whose profiles have been shared with other friends. Some of these groups can be breeding grounds for scams, so it’s best to stay safe and use caution when meeting new roommates.

It’s always best to meet potential roommates in person before agreeing to move in with them. This will allow you to see how their personality matches up with your own. It also makes it much easier to tell if something doesn’t feel right. If possible, try to meet in a public place like a coffee shop or park. Another great way to find a roommate is to leverage your own social networks online and offline. You can post in Facebook groups that are dedicated to your neighborhood or apartment complex and ask people if they know of anyone who is looking for a roommate. You can also use Reddit, which has subreddits that are specifically for roommates.

Another option is iROOMit, which is an all-in-one website for finding a roommate. It lets you create a profile that includes your location, budget, and preferences for things like smoking, pets, and quiet neighbors. It also allows you to filter by apartment photos and offers a background check service. It costs $6 for a three-day trial and you can purchase a subscription to get more features.