Living in London is an exciting endeavour, with the electric streets of the nation’s capital right at their doorstep, and every possible convenience at your fingertips. Whether you’ve lived here for a number of years, or it’s time for your first exciting step into this beautiful city, it’s always helpful to have someone with you.
Finding a roommate can be difficult at the best of times, but in such a vast and densely populated city, you may need to put in a little extra work to find the right companion to share bills with.
Here are some top tips to help you find your ideal roommate for your rental home in London.
For more tips on being a successful tenant, check out our rental guides.
Allow yourself some time to find the right person
Start your search well in advance, as finding someone to live with is not a decision to make on a whim. Cohabiting with others is never easy, but it can be made even more difficult if you choose a roommate in a hurry with whom you don't end up agreeing.
A responsible roommate with rental
experience is ideal. It's important to find someone who shares your values, though you don't have to be best friends to live together. A person who is respectful, friendly, and dependable should be fine.
Decide how many people you want to live with
There are pros and cons to living with a few flatmates rather than just one, and it’s important to weigh these up and see how many roommates would fit in best with your lifestyle and financial situation. While having more roommates will help spread the cost of bills, you will also be dealing with a tighter space and more people to potentially clash with.
Thankfully, in London, the busy lifestyle outside of the home makes it easier for renters to coexist without getting under each other’s feet too much, so it’s important to factor this into your choice.
Use social media to your advantage
From vegan recipes and second-hand guitars to tenants looking for roommates – the internet has it all. Although social media platforms are a great way to network and find people just like you, you should always be mindful of scammers and never exchange sensitive personal data through these mediums.
It’s a good idea to post on sites where you have already established a following or connections to your friends and family, as there may be someone in your friends list who can help – whether this means sharing your post to their own pages or getting you in touch with one of their friends who might be in the same situation.
There are also plenty of apps for finding roommates in London, but again, tread carefully and always arrange to meet in person (in daylight hours and a public space) before agreeing to anything.
Questions to ask your potential roommates
Once you've found a potential roommate, you'll need to ask them a few key questions before making a final decision, and they'll almost certainly have the same questions for you. If you find the task daunting, you could do it over a cup of coffee to keep things casual. To determine whether living together is a good idea, ask each other the following questions:
- What is your budget for rent and utilities?
- Have you ever missed a rental payment for any reason?
- Are you a smoker?
- Do you have any pets?
- Are you in a relationship and if so, will your significant other be staying regularly?
- What are your hobbies and interests?
- How long are you planning on living in this accommodation?
Are you looking for a rental home in this fantastic city? Contact us today.
