Welcome to our Tips & Suggestions Page

1. Up until now you have paid all the expenses. Now you must determine in advance (before meeting your potential roommate) what costs will be shared by you and your new roommate:
   • All monthly expenses such as rent, electricity, cable and other utilities. (Usually shared equally between all the roommates.)
   • Determine who will buy the every day living necessities such as groceries, laundry products, basic house cleaning products, etc. (You must decide if you will share these expenses or if everyone buys their own. Set rules regarding the use of groceries and other items each one buys and how to distinguish each roommate’s items.)
   • The cost of mutual furniture, electronic devices or any other accessories. (In case you decide to buy or rent it together.)
   • The cost of bathroom necessities such as toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, personal hygiene items, etc. (Only if sharing a bathroom.)
   • The cost of house cleaning, gardening and any other maintenance, as required. Decide if the work will be shared by all the roommates each time or by taking turns. Determine how often the work needs to be done, for example every other weekend, or if you will hire a professional and split the cost.
   
   (Our Suggestion: The easiest way to keep track of expenses is to first determine which things will be shared. Each time someone buys these things he will save the receipt, write his name on it and put it in certain place where all receipts will be kept. At the end of each week or month, add up all the expenditures and divide the expenses between the roommates. You may then settle up with each other or keep a balance sheet from month to month.)
   
   
2. Become a member of roommates365.com
   During the registration procedure provide as much information as you can. Help us find the perfect roommate(s) for you.
   - Location, residence, space (Pay special attention to these features.)
   – Household, your dynamic (Describe yourself and your habits.)
   – Picture gallery, testimonials (These will upgrade your profile and attract more members to contact you)
   – Roommate preferences (Determine your future roommate preferences such as age, gender, sexual orientation, cleanliness, smoking habits, party habits and more.)
   – Additional comments (Describe all you can about you, about what you are looking for and anything you think might help to describe you and improve your profile so that only the members that fit your description will contact you.)
   - Continue to member area and find your perfect roommate match.
   
   
3. Continue to screen matches, first by the data appearing on each member’s user profile on the site (pay special attention to the comments section) and then on the phone. When you are talking, ask basic questions to get a general impression of the person: what s/he is looking for, his/her expectations, etc.
   If you are not sure about a specific applicant after talking with them, don't waste your time meeting him/her in person.
   
   
4. You should arrange a meeting with the applicants who sound promising. (We recommend a meeting at the residence. The potential roommate might find it inadequate. You’ll know this right away and won’t waste any more time with this applicant.) Ask the applicant to bring references from previous roommates (if he has).
   
   
5. Once you and your roommate have decided to live together it is critical that you meet to go over all the details of your living arrangement. (Don't start the application process until you have done this.) Communicate openly and don't assume anything. During your meeting discuss all the important issues, such as:
   
   • The lease and move in date.
   • Check each other’s references.
   • The monthly costs (How you will divide them and what is included, i.e., rent & deposit, utilities, etc.
   • Under whose name will the utilities be listed?
   • The division of bedrooms & bathrooms in the residence.
   • The every day living expenses. (What they are, what you will pay for together and what will be paid for separately.)
   • The cost of communal furniture & electronic devices (if needed).
   • The cost of bathroom necessities. (If you will buy these items together or separately.)
   • The household chores and how will they be divided. (Will they be done by you or will you hire professional.)
   • Smoking habits.
   • Party habits.
   • Pets.
   • Parking spaces.
   • Use of the telephone.
   • And more...
   
   After evaluating him/her (rely on your instincts and feelings….) and deciding to take the next step, put everything in writing to make sure there will be no misunderstandings in the future. (We recommend you use the sample written agreement found on the roommates365.com web site.)
   
   Again remember these important things:
   
   1. Be open minded!
   2. Communicate openly!
   3. Don't assume anything!
   4. Rely on your instincts and feelings!

1. Become a member of roommates365.com
   During the registration procedure provide as much information as you can. Help us find the perfect roommate(s) for you.
   - Location, space preferences (Determine the area where you would like to live and all criteria that are important to you.)
   – Roommate preferences (Determine your future roommate preferences such as age, gender, sexual orientation, cleanliness, smoking habits, party habits and more.)
   – About me, your dynamic (Define your self and your habits.)
   – Picture gallery, testimonials (These will upgrade your profile and attract more members to contact you.)
   – Additional comments (describe all you can about yourself, about what you are looking for and anything you think might help to describe you and improve your profile so that only the members who fit your description will contact you.)
   - Continue to the members area. Look for matches in Roommates365.com and respond to as many ads as possible that look promising.
   
   
2. Continue to screen matches, first by the data appearing on each member’s user profile on the site (pay special attention to the comments section) and then on the phone.
   When you are talking, ask basic questions to get a general impression of the person: what s/he is looking for, his/her expectations, etc.
   If you are not sure about a specific applicant after talking with them, don't waste your time meeting him/her in person.
   
   
3. You should arrange a meeting with the members who sound promising. (We highly recommend meeting at the residence so you can see what it’s like. You might find it insufficient so you won’t waste any more time with this person.)
   Ask him also to bring references from previous roommates (if he has).
   
   
4. Once you and your roommate have decided to live together it is critical that you meet to go over all the details of your living arrangement. (Don't start the application process until you have done this.) Communicate openly and don't assume anything. During your meeting discuss all the important issues, such as:
   
   • The lease and move in date.
   • Check each other’s references.
   • The monthly costs (How you will divide them and what is included, i.e., rent & deposit, utilities, etc.
   • Under whose name will the utilities be listed?
   • The division of bedrooms & bathrooms in the residence.
   • The every day living expenses. (What they are, what you will pay for together and what will be paid for separately.)
   • The cost of communal furniture & electronic devices (if needed).
   • The cost of bathroom necessities. (If you will buy these items together or separately.)
   • The household chores and how will they be divided. (Will they be done by you or will you hire professional.)
   • Smoking habits.
   • Party habits.
   • Pets.
   • Parking spaces.
   • Use of the telephone.
   • And more...
   
   After evaluating him/her (rely on your instincts and feelings….) and deciding to take the next step, put everything in writing to make sure there will be no misunderstandings in the future. (We recommend you use the sample written agreement found on the roommates365.com web site.)
   
   
Again remember these important things:

1. Be open minded!
2. Communicate openly!
3. Don't assume anything!
4. Rely on your instincts and feelings!