Things you should know before looking for a roommate

Living with a roommate has many benefits.
Here we will explain the benefits of living with a roommate and how to find a roommate that suits you.

Benefits of finding a roommate in a share house

Living with a roommate in a shared house offers two major benefits:

• Share rent and living expenses
• Opportunities to make friends and network

The biggest benefit is the reduction in financial burdens such as rent.
It saves you money so you can pursue your hobbies or save money.
Also, if you share a room with people you've never met before, you may be able to make new friendships and build a network of knowledge, which could broaden your world.

What to consider when choosing a roommate

Compatibility is important for roommates who live together in the same space.
The key is whether your personalities and lifestyles match, and whether you can communicate well.

People who like to spend their time quietly and those who are active will spend their time in their room differently.
In some cases, if you want to do things together you might choose someone with the same lifestyle, but if you want some time alone you might choose someone with a different lifestyle.
And above all else, good communication is important.

First, take gender and age into consideration and get a clear idea of ​​the ideal roommate that would suit you.

How to find a roommate in a share house

We will introduce how to find a roommate for living in a shared house.

Use of websites and social media when recruiting

If you want to find a roommate, we recommend using a roommate search site.
Roommate search sites allow you to write your own requirements and post a roommate search, or you can apply for an existing posting.
Once you find someone who seems like a good match, you can exchange messages to iron out the terms and conditions, meet in person, and then decide whether or not they would like to be your roommate.

Sites that you can use to find roommates include Jimoty (https://jmty.jp/all/est-sha) and Roomshare (https://roommate.jp/-/mate).
You can also find roommates on social media sites such as X.

These sites and social networking sites are free to use, but many of them come with no warranty whatsoever.
It is important to be careful, such as not exchanging money easily and meeting in a crowded place for the first time.

Information that should be specified when applying

When recruiting, you will write in detail the conditions you are looking for in a partner and the conditions of the property.
Please write something like the following:

• sex
• Desired start date of occupancy
• Rent and maintenance fees
• Share house rules
• Information on the surrounding environment

If you haven't decided on a property yet, it's a good idea to describe the property and area you are looking for and mention any concessions you are willing to make.

Check points for roommate interview

When meeting someone through a "roommate recruitment site" or similar, you will exchange correspondence several times before meeting in person for an interview.
When interviewing, make sure to check the following:

• Do you have the same lifestyle, values, and sense of distance as the other person?
• Can you communicate effectively?
• Can we listen to each other’s wishes?

If you feel something is not right along the way, it is okay to decline the room share offer.
To avoid any future problems, make sure you find someone who is a good fit for you.

Things to be aware of when looking for a roommate and how to avoid problems

To ensure a pleasant stay with your roommate, set some rules in advance.

Setting contract details and share house rules

It's a good idea to put all financial decisions, like rent, in writing.
It's also a good idea to set clear rules regarding your daily life and privacy.

The information included is the amount of rent and maintenance fees each party will pay, as well as the payment deadline and payment method.
You may also want to decide whether or not to prepare a deposit that can be used in the event that rent is unpaid.

Setting rules about cleaning the room, taking out the trash, and the time when noise-making items such as telephones can be used can help avoid arguments.
We will work out the detailed rules after you move in and observe how things go.

Privacy and etiquette agreement

Since you will be sharing the same space, it is important to be considerate of your roommates.
Making rules such as not allowing visitors, contacting each other in advance if you have visitors, and not lending or borrowing money can help you avoid unnecessary arguments and trouble.

Also, to protect your privacy, make sure to tell each other what you don't want them to intrude on or touch on.

How to deal with emergencies

In the unlikely event that you do encounter a problem, there are some ways to deal with it:

• Exchange emergency contact details
• Ask other residents in the share house to mediate
• Consult with an authority that is knowledgeable about the law

It is important to know your roommate's emergency contact information in case of rent arrears or sudden illness.
Also, if a problem arises and the issue cannot be resolved through discussion between the two parties, it can be effective to have a third party, such as another resident of the share house, intervene.
If that doesn't resolve the issue, seek legal advice from an authority.

Lack of communication often leads to problems.
Always acknowledge the other person's values ​​and clearly communicate your own thoughts and opinions to build trusting relationships.

What to do if you can't find a roommate?

Many people seem to have a hard time finding a roommate.
In such cases, you may be able to find what you're looking for by reconsidering your conditions slightly, such as broadening your desired residential area.

We also recommend broadening your recruitment scope.
If you search for "roommate wanted" online, you will find several roommate recruitment sites.
It's a good idea to list your products on multiple sites rather than limiting yourself to one, or to ask friends and family for word-of-mouth recommendations.

summary

Living with roommates in a shared house has benefits, such as reducing the burden of rent.
There are three key points to having a comfortable life with a roommate.

• Get clear on what kind of person is right for you
• Set rules
• Communicate effectively

Find a roommate that suits you and enjoy life in a shared house.