16 Super Uber Tips on Finding the Perfect Flatmate

It’s probably one of the most serious problems dogging the 21st century working professionals in the country. In fact, it’s pretty much like finding a new boyfriend/girlfriend, only a little more complicated.

Why is that? Well, because you can part your ways with your partner when things go awry, but it’s not as simple with a flatmate. Since you will have signed a lease agreement, you will need to stick with them till the contract runs out.

In this article we give you with some of the best tips in order for you to come out victorious in your quest for finding the best flatmate.

• 1.    Go Beyond Your Friends List

Just because you enjoy hanging out with a friend or an acquaintance, doesn’t mean they can actually be a good flatmate. For all you known, they might have the world’s worst in-room habits that could drive you over the edge. So, go beyond the first impression and actually find out what a person is like.

• 2.    Look Online

Finding a flatmate on the internet has become extremely simple. You will just need to post in one of the many Facebook groups and can find one within a few hours.

• 3.    Interview Them

No, we don’t expect you to go full John McClane on them, you will just need to ask them what they are looking for and what they are comfortable with.

• 4.    Find Someone Like-minded

Find someone that has a same a similar perspective of the world as you. Are they metalheads? Do they love Megadeth and Motorhead? Or are they more into pop music? Knowing these things is absolutely essential if you want to live in harmony.

• 5.    Are They Ready to Contribute?

In the ready/not-so-ready to mingle world, you will need to know if your flatmate is ready to do the household chores same as you. This is extremely important because chores are often the first things that could lead to a rift in your relationship.

• 6.    Understand What It’s Like to Have a Flatmate

No matter how platonic a relationship, getting a flatmate is still a major responsibility that needs to be taken seriously.

• 7.    Do Good unto Others

Find and find out if they are ready to help you out in case of emergencies.

• 8.    Have The Right Apartment

The kind of apartment you have chosen also plays a role in the type of flatmate you will find. To find the perfect place, check some of the property management firms like Zenify, who curate some of the best rental property in Bangalore.

• 9.    “What Do You Expect from Me?”

Having a flatmate is a two-way street. If you want them to be a certain way, you will need to be the same too. So, ask them what they expect out of a flatmate.

• 10.    Someone in The Same Profession

While this isn’t customary, it can do you a world of good because at the end of a busy, tiring day, you will need someone you can talk to, who can actually understand what your problems are.

• 11.    Meetup

Once you have found a potential roommate, fix a meet and talk to them over a cup of coffee or a drink just to get a feel of what they are like.

• 12.    Talk Money

One of the most important aspects required to lease flats is money. So, bring the money topic up with them and discuss whether they are comfortable with the money they are paying.

• 13.    Assess Their Lifestyle

Imagine a runway model living with a desi sanskaari person—it’s not always the best combination. This is why you need to assess their lifestyle and find out if it is in line with yours.

• 14.    Communicate

Communication is important aspect in a flatmate relationship. Figure out how open they are in voicing out their concerns.

• 15.    Find References

Sometimes a friend of a friend of a friend will know someone that’s looking for a flatmate. Try and find a good reference, one that actually trust.

• 16.    Get It in Writing

You might have talked about a million things, but unless you get them written in a lease agreement none of them ever really matter.

All in all, getting a flatmate is quite like every other relationship you have had in your life. At the end of the contract, you might even walk out with a life-long friend by your side. So, be very mindful before you choose one.


This is a guest post by Chandni Lal