Step One: Figure out how you want to divide the costs of rent and utilities. Unless one of the bedrooms is substantially larger than the other, you probably will want to split the costs evenly between roommates.
Step Two: Figure out how you want to divide daily living expenses - things that fall into the “common-use” category such as milk, coffee and laundry detergent. If you decide you want to have “mutual property,” such as furniture or appliances, determine how to divide those expenses, too.
Step Three: Determine what kind of person you want living in your home. Do you want a male or female roommate? A smoker or nonsmoker? Gay or straight? A partier or a homebody?
Step Four: Ask friends if they know of people looking for a place to live. This gives you a character reference.
Step Five: Place ads on community bulletin boards and in local newspapers with a clear description of your home or apartment, monthly expenses and the kind of roommate you’re looking for. Some Internet sites let users list their ads for free.
Step Six: Screen applicants on the phone when they call. If you can tell right away that someone won’t work out, don’t waste your time meeting him or her face-to-face.
Step Seven: Invite applicants who sound promising to come by for a meeting. If your ad specifies a nonsmoker and the person smells like cigarettes, you’ll have saved yourself time and hassle.
Step Eight: Ask for references from previous landlords and roommates.
Step Nine: Verify the applicant’s employment.
