How to find a flatmate or roommate safely

Before arranging a viewing, have a proper conversation.

Ask about the things that actually matter when two people are going to share a home. Work or study, how long they're looking to stay, their usual routine, smoking, pets, partners, working from home and what they're looking for in a household.

This isn't about interrogating somebody.

You're trying to work out whether the arrangement makes sense for both of you before either person spends time on a viewing.

If you've found someone online, take a look at the account they're using.

Does it have some history? Does their name appear consistent? Does what they're telling you broadly match what you can see?

A private or fairly empty social profile doesn't mean somebody is suspicious. Plenty of people deliberately keep very little information public.

You're simply looking for obvious inconsistencies before taking the next step.

Someone usually doesn't need your full home address just to ask about the room.

You can give them the suburb, neighbourhood or general area first.

Once you've spoken, decided they're genuinely interested and arranged a viewing, you can provide the exact address when they actually need it.

That avoids giving your home address to every person who enquires.

A flatmate viewing usually means inviting somebody you've never met into your home.

If you'd like more certainty about who is coming, you can ask them to verify before the viewing.

A NoStrangers Trust Request lets the other person complete a live verification and choose what verified information they want to share with you.

You can verify yourself too.

That matters because the person looking for a room is taking a risk as well. They're potentially travelling to a stranger's home and considering living with somebody they met online.

A Trust Request gives both people an opportunity to establish more about each other without exchanging identity documents directly.

Verification doesn't tell you whether somebody will be a good flatmate or whether you'll get along. It simply helps establish who you're actually dealing with.

If you're showing the room, arrange the viewing for a time you're comfortable with.

If you'd rather not be alone when somebody new comes over, have another flatmate, friend or family member there.

You don't need to give somebody unrestricted access to the house. Show them the room and the shared areas they'd actually be using.

If you're the person viewing the room, tell somebody where you're going. Keep control of your own transport and don't feel obligated to stay if the situation isn't what you expected.

References can be useful, particularly if somebody is going to move into your home.

A previous landlord, property manager or flatmate may be able to confirm basic things about their previous living arrangement.

But treat references as one source of information, not absolute proof that somebody will be a good fit.

If somebody gives you a reference, make sure you're actually contacting the person or organisation they say you are.

Make sure both sides understand the financial arrangement.

That can include rent, bond or deposit, utilities, internet, shared expenses and how payments will be made.

Put important agreements in writing where appropriate and understand the tenancy, flatting or roommate rules that apply where you live.

Be cautious about sending significant amounts of money before you've established that the property, room and person you're dealing with are genuine.

Someone can have a genuine identity, good references and enough money to pay the rent and still be completely wrong for your household.

Talk about how you both actually live.

Cleaning, noise, visitors, parties, food, shared spaces, work schedules, pets and expectations around privacy cause a lot more day-to-day friction than most people realise during a twenty-minute viewing.

It's better to discover a major difference before somebody moves in.

Safety isn't only the responsibility of the person offering the room.

Make sure the property you're being shown is the property that was advertised. Be cautious if you're being pressured to transfer money before seeing it or if the person suddenly changes the address.

Ask who lives there and who you're actually entering into an arrangement with.

If you're uncomfortable attending a viewing alone, take somebody with you or let someone know exactly where you'll be.

And if the room, property or people are substantially different from what was advertised, you don't have to continue.

By the time you've decided to live together, both sides should have a clear idea of who they're entering into an arrangement with.

Confirm the practical details, put the appropriate agreements in place and make sure everyone understands what happens with rent, bond, bills and notice.

If keys, alarm codes, parking access or other security information will be shared, only hand those over when the arrangement is actually beginning.

Knowing somebody is who they say they are is useful.

It doesn't tell you whether they'll pay rent on time, wash their dishes, respect your privacy or become somebody you enjoy living with.

That's why finding a flatmate safely isn't about one check.

Talk to them. Meet them. Check the things that matter. Understand the arrangement you're entering into and give both sides enough information to make a sensible decision.

You don't need to turn finding someone to live with into a background investigation.

You do want to know who you're inviting into your home.

A little care before the viewing and before somebody moves in can save a lot of trouble later.

For more on when to share your location, see is it safe to give someone you met online your address?

Explore more safety guides.