Many tenants will choose to bring on a roommate as a way to keep their rental costs as low as possible. If you have just one roommate, you can take the cost of the unit and all utilities and cut them in half. This can help make rent more affordable and allows you to move into a much bigger apartment than before. But it is so important to choose the right roommate from the start because if you don’t, you may end up with a big financial mess on your hands.

The problem that occurs when you decide to split the rent and the utilities with someone else is that these both need to be paid, whether or not your roommate can afford them for the month. If you choose someone who is not that reliable when it is time to make payments, then the payment still comes due and it could cost you a ton in the end. You will often have to pay for it all, which can put a ton of strain on your own budget.

When you are trying to decide on a roommate, consider their work history to help you here. Do they quit or get fired from a job often? Do they have a history of debt or struggle to make their payments on time each month? Have they been a bad roommate in the past and skipped out on them too? Don’t just pick someone because they seem friendly or the two of you get along; pick someone who will do a good job making the payments.

If you already know the person you would like to have as your roommate, you may already know some of the information above about them and can make the decision. But if you are interviewing a stranger in the hopes that you will get a roommate, then take the time to check out references and their background to look for some of these things. These will help you avoid some problems later on.

If you do not want to worry about some of the hassles that come with having a roommate, then it is time to take a look at a studio apartment to see if it is the right space for you. Our studio apartments for rent in Rittenhouse Square may be the perfect solution for all your needs. These have plenty of the space you are looking for and all the great amenities that you need at the same time. And you won’t have to worry about bringing on a roommate to make the space more affordable. Come and take a look at some of our apartment units today!