Safety And Your New Roommate
Can posting roommate ads be dangerous?
Posting ads in the paper or online could be dangerous, depending on what you put on it; depending on what you say, and specifically, on photographs. You have to be very careful about what you post online, on how you word your advertisement. Are you wording it like a come-on? It could be dangerous, but it doesn't have to be.
What information do background checks provide?
Background checks - they're usually part of the credit report that you run, and as I said earlier, they're not specific anymore because of privacy laws, but most tenant reports have a background check as far as determining whether this person has a criminal history. They've already run that - a criminal report, evictions, is he a wife beater? That kind of thing. Background checks are part of your credit report.
What legal alternatives can I use to find information about a potential roommate?
This is an electronic age. Everything is on the Internet. Googling them, MySpace, YouTube, that should give you information - I personally have never used them, but I know they're out there. There are lots of ways to check on people; privacy is something that we're losing fast. The younger generation doesn't seem to care about privacy - they let it all hang out! On the Internet, there are a lot of ways to check out people.
What types of photos shouldn't I post in my roommate ad?
When you post pictures online, you have got to remember that millions of people could be looking at it. You specifically do not want to post pictures of your address, or the outside of your house. You can, as I mentioned earlier, post pictures of the rooms that you have available. If you are looking for a room, be very cautious of what type of pictures you post of yourself. If they're very sexy, then be prepared to have a lot of unwanted contacts by sleazy-type people. You have to use common sense when you post a picture of yourself online, post pictures of maybe things that you're doing, like sewing, or painting, or surfing. That's fine. That way I know that you like to surf, that you want to live by the beach, and that kind of thing. Be cautious.
When is it safe to give out personal information during a roommate or room search?
Your personal information is given out more when you're doing the second interview with the person, or possibly even the first interview, but not online! You are not going to be giving personal information online. You're going to be doing the interviews, which comes later. You are not going to be giving out your social security number. You are not going to be giving out your medical record. You are going to be giving out information about yourself. Your personality is important, what you want in a roommate is important, what you are looking for is important, but you don't have to be specific. That comes later, during the interview - the personal face to face interview.
When is the appropriate time to show the potential roommate the apartment?
You can show your place after you've had the interview. Your first interview should be at the park or coffee shop. Once you feel comfortable, you can show them your place.
How and when should I bring up the issue of drugs and alcohol?
Illegal drugs and alcohol are brought up several times. They're brought up in your ad - whether it's online or in the newspaper. No drugs, no parties, no alcohol, whatever. It's going to be brought up in the initial interview that you're going to ask them - do they ever do illegal drugs, and how much alcohol do they consume, or do they consume any at all. It's going to be brought up again, when they read your lease agreement, your roommate agreement, it's written right there. No drugs, no parties, no heavy alcohol drinking. Three times. If all of a sudden they start smoking pot, they have no excuse for that. They've already signed an agreement that they won't be doing that. On the other hand, if it's not a major issue with you - either drinking or doing drugs - then it will never come up. It's not important to you, but to most landlords it is important.
