What to Ask
Your Potential Flatmate?
by Ed Shin, Editor
Monday,
12th January 2009
Now that you’ve advertised and have a list of
potential flatmates, comes the time to choose the “right”
flatmate. Many of us find ourselves in a dilemma; debating
what to ask and what not to ask. Remember here that no
question is silly.
To help yourself make the interview more effective,
you should probably have a set of questions prepared. Each
of these questions should help you decide if the person
you’re interviewing is the “right” flatmate for you. It
helps you organize your thoughts and frame questions based
on what you’d like to know about your potential flatmate.
What do you want in a flatmate?
Knowing what you want in a flatmate can help you
structure your selection process. Are you looking for
someone who shares similar interests and can become a friend
too? Or, are you just looking for someone who minds his own
business and pays bills on time without necessarily giving
you company?
Find out what’s important to you when living with a
flatmate. It could be personality, hygiene, privacy, or
habits. Frame your questions around those topics aiming to
gain relevant information to help you decide.
Why an interview is essential to find a
good flatmate/housemate?
Taking in a flatmate is an important decision and
you should feel comfortable and confident with the choice
you’ve made. The time spent interviewing a potential
flatmate is like a prelude to living in the same space,
giving you an opportunity to gauge the person from close
quarters.
Try to remember that the other person would also
have come prepared and will be putting their best foot
forward. No matter how perfect the interview might have
gone, trust your instincts. The best way to get to the real
person you’re interviewing is by making them comfortable.
That’s when people let their guard down and are being just
themselves.
What questions should you ask at the
interview?
The questions you ask can be specific to your
situation and requirements and also cover some more basic
areas. These areas are:
o
Personality
o
References and past
flatmate experiences
o
Financial stability
o
Living habits
o
Student/Employment status
o
Length of stay
o
References
Some questions that you can ask:
o
What are your working
hours?
o
This can help you match
your schedules.
o
How do you hope to pay the
rent (cash in hand or by direct debit or cheque?)
o
Set financial
responsibilities.
o
Have you shared a house
before?
o
Ask for references. This
provides you an opportunity to ascertain stability and
compatibility from other sources.
o
Do you smoke or drink?
o
If this is an issue for
you.
o
What do you look for in a
flatmate?
o
Gives you a personality
check on your potential flatmate.
o
How often do you entertain
guests?
o
This can set grounds for
dealing with privacy issues.
These are just a few. However, you can always build
on the questions leading to more specific areas. If sexual
orientation or religion is one of the factors, don’t
hesitate to ask it. But approach sensitive issues with
caution and word your questions carefully.
Don’t hesitate to end an interview if the person
does not offer information that can help you decide. Be
clear in your communication, polite and respectful
throughout the interview. Also, ask if he/she has any
questions to ask. This can give you more information about
what they’re looking for and it aligns with your
requirements. Besides, it’s the polite thing to do.
Keep in mind that you’re entering into a commitment
once you take in a flatmate. Be absolutely sure that you’ve
covered all aspects and have all the information necessary
to make a decision.
