How to find a good roommate at university

The right roommate can make your student years — the wrong one can make every evening stressful. A little preparation goes a long way.

1. Know what you want

Before you post an ad, write down your budget, move-in date, preferred neighbourhood and lifestyle: early riser or night owl, tidy or relaxed, social or quiet, smoking, pets, guests.

2. Post a clear roommate ad

On AllForStudents you can post either “I have a place and need a roommate” or “I’m looking for a place to share”. Include a friendly photo, your university and course, and two or three honest sentences about how you live.

3. Ask the right questions

• What does a normal weekday look like for you?
• How often do you have friends over? Overnight guests?
• How should we split cleaning and shared supplies?
• How do you prefer to handle bills — one person pays and others transfer, or a shared app?
• What is a deal-breaker for you in a flatmate?

4. Meet before you commit

Meet in person or on video. Check their public profile and posts on AllForStudents, and trust your instincts.

5. Put it in writing

Agree who signs the contract, how the deposit is split and what happens if someone leaves early. A short written roommate agreement avoids most arguments later.