Moving in with a roommate can make rent and utilities more affordable and living more fun, but only if you pick the right person. A great roommate can become a close friend and make apartment life a lot easier. The wrong match, though, can turn your routine into a daily headache.
A good conversation up front can help you figure out if your lifestyles and expectations fit together.
Here are some of the most important questions to ask a potential roommate, organized by key topics from money and bills to personal habits and guests.
Paying rent
Finances are one of the most common sources of roommate conflict. You pay rent every month, so it’s critical to know how your potential roommate handles money before you agree to live together. Asking direct questions up front helps you avoid awkward situations later, such as covering for someone else’s late payment.
Questions to ask potential roommates about money:
1. How do you prefer to split rent? 50/50 or by room size?
2. Do you get paid on time each month?
3. Have you ever had any difficulty in paying rent before?
4. Are you open to using apps like Venmo or Splitwise for tracking payments?
Utilities and household expenses
Rent is only part of the monthly cost of living. Utilities like electricity, internet, and water are also shared responsibilities, and it’s important to agree on how those costs will be handled.
Some roommates like premium internet packages, while others prefer to save money. Similarly, opinions can differ about splitting common household items — some roommates prefer everyone to buy their own, while others are okay with sharing.
Questions to ask potential roommates about additional expenses:
5. How should we split utilities like gas, water, and electricity?
6. Do you prefer basic or premium internet and cable packages?
7. How do you feel about splitting household items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, or kitchen basics?
8. Who will be responsible for opening accounts with utility companies? Will it be split or in one person’s name?
Cleaning and chores
A messy roommate can be a real stress point, especially in shared spaces like the kitchen or bathroom. Talking about cleaning habits early can help you avoid resentment later.
Roommate questions about chores:
9. How often do you clean your room and common areas?
10. Are you okay with creating a cleaning schedule for bathrooms and kitchens?
11. How do you usually handle dishes, wash right away or leave them until later?
12. Would you be open to hiring someone to help clean?
13. Do you have any dealbreakers when it comes to cleanliness? (For example, leaving food out or not taking the trash out regularly.)
Lifestyle and values
Beyond bills and chores, it’s worth getting to know who you’re really living with. Shared values and lifestyles often matter just as much as logistics.
Asking bigger-picture questions gives you a sense of whether you’ll actually enjoy sharing a home with this person. Here are some options to talk about:
14. What do you do for fun in your free time? Shared hobbies can make living together easier.
15. What’s your ideal home environment — quiet and calm, or lively and social?
16. Are you tidy or more laid-back about mess?
17. What’s your biggest dealbreaker in a roommate?
18. What’s one quality you value most in a roommate?
Daily habits
Even if you and a potential roommate are both reliable with money, living styles can still clash. Conflicts usually come from the little things, like sleep schedules (night owls and early risers don’t always mix well), noise tolerance, or how much time someone spends at home.
These questions can help you see if your day-to-day rhythms align or if you’ll be stepping on each other’s toes.
19. What’s your work or school schedule like? How often do you work from home?
20. Do you smoke or vape? (This can be a dealbreaker for some people.)
21. Do you exercise at home, or do you prefer going to a gym?
22. Do you cook at home often, or do you mostly eat out?
23. Do you like to play music or watch TV loudly, or do you usually wear headphones?
Guests, relationships, and social life
Friends, partners, and parties are all part of life, but how often they happen in your home can be a good topic to discuss. If one roommate loves hosting holiday events or game nights frequently while the other values quiet evenings, that mismatch can quickly create resentment.
Here’s what you can ask to figure out if you are on the same page:
24. Do you like to host parties or small gatherings?
25. How often do you like having friends over?
26. Do you plan to have overnight guests often?
27. Would you be okay with setting boundaries around noise levels, especially late at night?
Personal boundaries and communication
Some people want to address issues right away, while others prefer space before discussing. Setting clear expectations about communication and boundaries helps prevent minor problems from turning into big ones.
Questions to ask potential roommates about boundaries:
28. How do you like to handle disagreements — talk it out right away, or take time to cool off?
29. Are you comfortable sharing things like kitchen tools, appliances, or groceries?
30. Do you prefer having your own shelf in the fridge and pantry, or are you okay with sharing?
31. What’s your comfort level with personal space?
Pets and allergies
Pets are wonderful, but they also bring responsibilities, noise, and sometimes higher rent. Allergies or personal preferences can also create major conflicts.
If pets are part of the picture, aspects like these need to be discussed before signing a lease.
32. Do you have any pets, or are you planning to get one?
33. Are you allergic to cats, dogs, or other animals?
34. How do you feel about living with pets in the apartment?
Wrapping it up
Choosing who you live with is worth the time it takes to ask the right questions. By considering a solid list of questions to ask potential roommates, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother living experience.
These conversations may feel awkward at first, but they’re worth it. By being open now, you’ll set clear expectations, avoid unexpected situations, and increase your chances of finding a roommate who might even become a friend.
