Welcome to our Tips & Suggestions Page

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 yourself 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 define 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 she/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 recommend a neutral place where you would both feel comfortable.)
   Ask him/her also to bring references from previous roommates (if s/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!
   
   
5. Schedule a meeting for the two of you together with the landlord or property manager.
   Make sure to bring all your rental history information. (Addresses and phone numbers of previous landlords, references, etc).
   
   
6. During the meeting with the landlord or property manager, tell him/her how many people will be living together. Fill out the paperwork completely and request receipts for any payments made.
   Request that everyone living in the property be named on the lease and that the rental responsibilities between you and your roommate(s) be divided. (By doing this you will ensure that everyone is equally responsible for paying the rent, maintenance and other obligations related to the lease.) This is a legal way (under the terms of the lease) to protect yourself against responsibility for all the obligations related to the lease if your roommate don’t pay his/her share.