A home is a place of peace, safety, and comfort, and you want to ensure it stays that way. That is why it is important to know how to find roommates in Australia who you can get along with well.
While the optimum option is living by yourself, it is hard to pay the entire rent on your own, considering Australia’s rising inflation.
So with that in mind, finding a roommate to rent a home with is necessary, especially in larger cities.
However, a new roommate search requires a lot of time and patience. And you have to ensure they are the right person you will get along with.
Our guide will prove helpful in many ways if you have a rented apartment or are looking for housemates.
At the end of this post, it will be easy for you to answer the question: how to find roommates in Australia.
Steps for finding a good roommate in Australia
A good roommate can be your best friend and make life bearable. However, a few mistakes while selecting a roommate can ruin your life.
Whether you want to rent a house or search for a roommate for your apartment, you need to be scrupulous and careful. Here are some tips to help you find a roommate in Australia.
The tips are applicable wherever you live in Australia.
Assess your needs
Sit down and analyse what you need as an individual. That means knowing the kind of person you are and how you like things done in the house. You need to ask yourself what things matter to you and your non-negotiables.
While this may seem like overkill, it allows you to go into the search with a clear picture of what you want and lets your prospective roommate know what you require. That way, when your potential new roommate introduces themselves, you know what you’re looking for.
Ask friends
The first step to finding a roommate is asking your friends. But don’t rent your apartment/house for free. You need to divide the rent. Tell your friends about the condition of the place you want to rent, and be transparent and honest.
There is a high chance that you will find your potential roommate from within your friends’ circle.
However, be careful with this option as living together may not be suitable for your friendship. So if you choose this method, be transparent and set some ground rules about expenses, chores, etc.
Check your current social circle
Discuss the availability of a roommate with your circle, that is, your relatives, neighbours, and religious group. Your circle will likely talk to their friends and family, which can make your search easier. Or you may speak to someone in need of a roommate.
Use Facebook, Instagram, and websites
Everyone is active on social media apps these days. Create a story or a post and list your requirements and expectations regarding your prospective roommate.
Doing this will spread your message in ways you can’t even imagine. But make sure you do not share your private number.
Also, check the reviews on the website you are using to find a roommate and see if other people have had success.
College/university fellows
If you are a college/university student, you can make posters and give them out throughout the campus. There is a high chance that one of your fellow students would be in search of a room and roommate.
Completing the roommate search
Background check
Your housemate/flatmate must have a good background. Because you are living alone, you cannot risk your life. And this is why we do not recommend a roommate matching app in the first place. It can be an option, but not the first one.
You can use social media apps to learn about a person’s background. And if your to-be roommate is from your campus, you can learn about them from those close to that person.
Personality match
It is not necessary that your personality completely matches your roommate. But significant personality gaps can affect your daily life.
For this, you must ask a few personal questions. For example, you can be allergic to animals, so you need to discuss the no-pet policy with your roommate. If you are tidy while your roommate isn’t, things won’t turn out well between you two.
Likewise, discuss other preferences with your potential roommate. Go over things holding parties at the house/apartment, sharehouse rules, and boundaries. Just make sure your roommate passes your personality vibe.
Discuss lifestyle
Two people cannot have the same lifestyle. However, they can have a few things in common.
For example, discuss their work hours if they have a job and see if they match yours. Although it is unnecessary, it can be helpful depending on your lifestyle.
You need to discuss whether their friends come over daily. That is a significant question, as many people who live alone probably have their friends over.
Discuss other questions regarding your lifestyle.
