9 Questions You Should Be Asking Every Potential New Roommate

When you're searching for a new roommate, of course you know to ask the major questions: “Do you do drugs?;” “How much do you party?;” “Can you pay the security deposit in advance?” But what about those lesser-known, but equally important, inquiries to pose toward your new potential co-habitants? Turns out, these unexpected questions can be very telling as to whether or not someone will be the Bert to your Ernie(s) or a dirty-plates-in-sink, Metallica-blasting disaster waiting to happen. We tapped experts to find out the questions you must ask before anyone gets a name on the lease, let alone a cabinet in your kitchen...

1. What’s your beverage of choice?

File this under: A brilliant way to find out if someone is a big drinker or not, without the awkwardness of phrasing it as such. “You can learn a lot about a person by their favorite drink,” says Ajay Yadav, CEO of Roomi, a free mobile platform that helps people find co-living solutions. “Are they a coffee-drinking workaholic? A red-wine-sipping dinner party host? Asking about your potential roommate's beverage preferences is a low-key way to find out about their lifestyle—and if it will mesh with yours.”

2. Are you still buddies with your old roommates?

“It’s a good sign to hear that they still have contact with their old roommates or that things ended well,” says Rhonda Milrad, LCSW, founder and CEO of Relationup, a relationship advice app that connects users with professionals. “As they start reminiscing, they may start to reveal conflicts. Too many ‘difficult roommates’ is a good warning sign that they may be the difficult one.” And if so, maybe it's time to say POCS (peace out, cub scout).

3. Can you describe your ideal self?

Phrasing it craftily like this can help give you insight into what your roommate is actually like IRL. “We tend to be compatible with people who are similar to ourselves, but it goes beyond that. We are most attracted to and compatible with people who are similar to our ideals. In the case of roommates, birds of a feather flock together,” says Dr. Amber Henslee, a clinical psychologist specializing in college student health-related behaviors and assistant professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology. “Specific behaviors, such as cleanliness, can have an impact on roommate compatibility. However, asking about one’s ideal self is a bit more of an abstract approach that could offer hints of more concrete behaviors.” So if someone describes their ideal self as “conscientious and detail-oriented,” you can guess they’ll make for a tidy roommate. Check!

4. Do you have any weird habits that most people don’t know about?

This is a way to find out if your potential roommate [does anything that might] drive you crazy,” offers relationship expert Audrey Hope, host of YouTube series “Hope For Relationships,” and addiction therapist at Seasons In Malibu rehab facility. “For example, I once had a roommate who liked to put everything—and I mean everything—in baggies and jars. If I didn’t wrap things in the refrigerator then it would result in a huge fight.” Better to find out that quirk before your half-eaten box of crackers falls victim...