Finding A Roommate On Craigslist: Safety Tips To Keep In Mind
Date: Saturday, June 27 @ 22:39:24 MST
Topic: Internet
Are you a college student looking for a roommate to share an apartment? If so, you may turn to the internet. There are many websites, including Craigslist.org, where you can find quality roommates, but you should always proceed with caution. Inviting a stranger to live with you and share costs sounds ideal, but there are some risks involved.
How can you stay safe when using Craigslist to find a roommate?
Don’t divulge the address of the apartment right away, especially if you already live there. Anyone can use the popular online classified website to view listings. Don’t let just anyone know where you live. You can provide detailed information about the apartment and share pictures of the inside, but keep the address a secret for now. After you talk with an interested roommate, you can give the address to arrange a showing.
Perform a background check on your new roommate. Performing a background check may sound excessive, but you are inviting a stranger to live with you. As previously stated, there are risks involved in doing this. A person with something to hide will be dead set against undergoing a background check. At the very least, receive a list of personal and work references that you can call. A full background check isn’t required, but you just want to make sure you aren’t unknowingly living with a dangerous criminal.
Have a friend or relative present for the showing. This accomplishes two goals. First, you may be desperate to find a roommate. This is okay if you are on a strict budget, but it may cloud your judgment. Third-parties tend to pickup on more signs and bad vibes. After showing the apartment to a potential roommate, ask your friend or relative what they thought of the person. Most importantly, some individuals use Craigslist to find crime victims, like for robbery. You are less likely to be a victim when you aren’t alone.
In short, using Craigslist.org is a great way to find a roommate, but there are risks. Luckily, there are many steps, such as the ones outlined above, that you can take to stay safe.
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