10 Questions to Ask a Potential Roommate Before Moving In

What You Ask Now Can Save You So Much Stress Later

You found someone who seems chill, maybe through BeRoomie or a uni Facebook group, and the vibes are decent. But before you start picking out shower caddies and arguing over Spotify playlists, you need to ask the real questions.

Because trust me—what starts as “We both love sushi!” can crash hard when one of you leaves dishes in the sink for a week or throws parties on Tuesday nights.

Here are the 10 questions you should absolutely ask a potential roommate before moving in.

1. What’s your daily routine like?

Are they a morning gym rat while you pull all-nighters? Conflicting schedules can make or break shared living.

2. How do you feel about guests and parties?

If they’re into weekend ragers and you’re more of a “tea and Netflix” type, best to sort that out early.

3. What’s your definition of “clean”?

“Clean” to one person is vacuum lines and labeled pantry bins. To someone else, it’s “I wiped the counter once this week.” Clarify what “tidy” actually means.

4. Do you prefer to share food or keep it separate?

This one seems small but trust me—accidental milk theft ruins friendships fast.

5. What’s your rent budget and payment schedule?

Awkward? Maybe. Necessary? 100%. You need someone reliable when bills are due.

6. How do you like to split chores?

Rotation chart? Whoever notices first? Let’s avoid the classic “Why do I always take the trash out?” moment.

7. What are your thoughts on pets?

Even if neither of you has one now, knowing if they’re cool with a future cat or dog matters.

8. What happens if one of us wants to move out early?

It’s not romantic, but it’s practical. You need a plan for handling leases and replacements.

9. Have you lived with roommates before?

Their answer (and how they talk about past roomies) can tell you a lot.

10. What do you need in a roommate to feel comfortable at home?

This one invites honesty. It opens the door to talk about boundaries, communication, and what really matters.

Quick Tip: Use a Roommate Matching App Like BeRoomie

If you haven’t found a roommate yet, apps like BeRoomie help you match with people based on lifestyle, schedule, and preferences before you ever sign a lease. It’s way easier to start these conversations when you already know the basics line up.

🔗 Check out BeRoomie if you want to meet people who actually fit how you live.

Final Thoughts

Finding someone to split rent with is easy. Living with someone who won’t drive you up the wall? That takes a little more digging.

These 10 questions will help you skip the passive-aggressive sticky notes and get straight to shared living that actually works. Ask early, be honest, and you’ll set yourself up for a solid, drama-free semester.