I've interviewed probably 30 potential roommates over 8 years. I've used Craigslist, Facebook groups, friend-of-friends, and once — regrettably — a flyer at a coffee shop. I've gotten good at spotting red flags and terrible at ignoring them when I'm desperate for a place.
The problem with roommate interviews is that everyone is on their best behavior. They clean before you visit. They smile. They say they're "pretty chill" and "not a partier." Then you move in and discover they're "chill" in the sense that they don't care about anything, including paying rent on time.
Here are the 12 questions I now ask every potential roommate. Not all at once — that would be an interrogation. But I make sure I get answers to all of them before I sign anything.
**1. What time do you usually go to bed and wake up?** This seems personal but it matters. If you go to bed at 10pm and they go to bed at 3am, you're going to have a noise problem.
**2. How do you feel about guests?** Not "do you have guests?" Everyone has guests. The question is how often, for how long, and do they ask first.
**3. What's your cleaning style?** If they say "I clean when things get dirty," that means they don't clean. If they say "I have a weekly schedule," marry them.
**4. Have you ever been late on rent?** If they hesitate, that's an answer. Follow up with "what happened?" A one-time emergency is different from a pattern.
**5. What do you do for work?** Not to judge their career. To understand their schedule, their stress level, and whether they work from home.
**6. How do you feel about sharing food?** Some people are "what's mine is yours." Some people will label their individual eggs. Neither is wrong, but they're incompatible.
**7. Do you have any pets?** Even if the lease allows pets, pet people and non-pet people have different lifestyles. And allergies are real.
**8. What's your biggest roommate pet peeve?** This tells you what they're sensitive about. If they say "people who don't do dishes," and you never do dishes, that's information.
**9. How long do you plan to stay?** If they're looking for a 3-month sublet and you want a year-long lease, that's a mismatch.
**10. What does "clean" mean to you?** This is different from question 3. "Clean" to one person means "no visible dirt." To another, it means "I can eat off this floor." Clarify.
**11. Are you okay with a written roommate agreement?** If they say no, run. Not because the agreement is legally binding, but because someone who won't commit to basic rules in writing will not follow unwritten rules.
**12. Can I talk to a previous roommate?** This is the nuclear option. Most people won't say yes. But if they do, and the previous roommate says good things, that's gold.
I've made a printable version of these questions with space for notes. It's not a contract. It's just a way to make sure you don't forget to ask something important because you're nervous or the apartment has a really nice view.
The best roommate I ever had answered all 12 questions without hesitation. The worst roommate I ever had got defensive on question 4. That's the whole interview right there.