4 Safety Tips For Living With Roommates
A difficult job market and a changing economy is keeping many young adults from purchasing their own home. Getting a roommate to help cut down on living costs when renting or owning a home is often considered one of the best solutions to this problem. If you are thinking of sharing a room, house, or apartment with anyone outside your immediate family, use the tips below to help keep you and your roommates safe:
1. Run a background check and ask for references if you do not know a potential roommate personally. This is especially important when you advertise the available room or space on the internet or in the newspaper.
2. Take the time to get to know a potential roommate. While you might not instantly bond with a roommate overnight, try to talk over lifestyle differences. For example, if a potential roommate likes to party hard and have friends over late, they might not be compatible if you are an introvert who likes to be in bed by 9pm. This step might also help you pick up major red flags about their acquaintances and friends.
3. Invest in simple home security measures, like a high-quality lock and chain for the front door. Check the locks of all windows to make sure they work. When a roommate moves out, change the door locks, especially if you did not part on the best of terms.
4. When you and your roommates first get to your new apartment, get in touch with a home security installation company like ADT Miami to discuss home security options. Working with a company like Miami ADT home security can help you to identify major problems in your new space. You might also consider installing a home security system for additional safety in your home.
Getting to know your roommates might be scary, but keeping safe can be easy. Build a safe, happy living space by following the steps above.