ADVICE: Questions to Ask when Interviewing Potential Housemates

Here are a few questions to help you when interviewing your potential housemate.

Background:

• Have you lived in share accommodation before?
  
• Why are you looking for a place to share?
  
• Why is the room available?
  
• How many people currently live at the property?
  
• What are your current living arrangements?

Occupation:

• Are you currently working? Full-time, part-time or casual?
  
• What is your occupation?
• What are your working hours?
  
• How long have you worked there?
  

Hobbies & Interests:

• What kind of music do you like?
  
• Do you have any hobbies or play sport?

Social Habits:

• Do you like to entertain or have friends over?
  
• Do you like to spend a lot of time at home or do you prefer to go out?
  
• Do you have a partner? If so, do you expect they will stay overnight regularly?

Domestic Chores & Hygiene:

• How do you believe the chores should be organised?
  
• Will there be a roster?
  
• Will you be prepared split domestic chores onto a roster?
  
• Would you consider yourself to be clean and tidy?

Smokers:

• Do you smoke? If so, do you smoke inside or out?

Pets:

• Do you have any pets?
  
• Are pets allowed on the lease?
  

Expenses:

• Does the rent cover expenses? If so, what exactly does it cover? (Expenses can include phone, water, internet, gas, and electricity)
  
• When are the bills due?
  
• How will we determine how the expenses get divided up?

Bond:

• How much is it?
  
• What are the terms and conditions?
• How do I get it back when I leave?
  

Rent:

• How much is it?
  
• When is it due?
• How is this to be paid?
  
• When was the last time the agent/landlord increased the rent?

Shopping Arrangements:

• Are the groceries bought separately?

Stability:

• How long do you intend to live here?
  
• How long have you lived here?

Availability:

• When are you available to move into?
• When will the room be available?
  
• When do you hope to make your decision?

References:

• Would you be able to provide references? (These could be from a previous flatmate, employer, current landlord or rental agency)
• Do you mind if we conduct a reference check?

Furniture:

• Will you be bringing any furniture? If so, what type?
  
• Is the room fully furnished?

Leases:

• Is there a lease?
  
• Are you willing to sign a lease?
  
• Or will it be sublet?
  
• How long is the lease for?
• When does it expire?
  
• Who is primarily responsible for it?

Have we missed some? Please post below.