Sharing accommodation was always popular among students, but with the economic recession, it’s becoming an attractive option for everyone. If you are considering rental property for your own accommodation, it might be a good idea to find a roommate. There are plenty of websites available today offering roommate finder services and depending on your requirements, you can easily find someone who can be the other pea in the pod and won’t be an obstacle to your lifestyle.

First, it’s your roommate’s gender. Some people are quite comfortable with sharing their accommodation with either gender, but you shouldn’t be too quick to accept anyone. Think about how someone from the opposite gender could affect your current household, in terms of existing roommates, varied lifestyles, personalities, certain gender-oriented characteristics etc. The age of your roommate will be another point of consideration. People of different ages hold different viewpoints, interests and living patterns.

Specify whether your household is smoking-friendly or non-smoking. You don’t want any arguments after all the living arrangements are made. Drinking habits should also be discussed prior to accepting anyone as a roommate, because if the grocery expenses are shared, either party may not be happy about spending money on alcohol.

Personalities influence a group’s dynamics and interaction pattern. If you have several roommates and some of them are quiet and laid-back while the others are loud and outgoing, you will definitely notice some friction between the two types. Ensure you make a thorough selection by understanding each person’s personality. Hobbies and interests are equally important in this equation, because if tastes in entertainment, food and activities differ considerably among the roommates, conflicts are quite likely to occur.

Be clear about the roommate’s expected length of stay. Some rentals are provided on an annual basis, while others are just monthly or weekly. Clarifying such issues and binding the agreement on paper are essential if you are to have a good relationship with your roommates. Additionally, you should look for a roommate who has a similar entertaining style to you. If you prefer a quiet household and your roommate constantly entertains people, it will not work out very well. Your roommate’s level of independence will play a key role as well, especially if it conflicts with your own style.