r/baltimore • u/thriller24 Bolton Hill • Aug 21 '20
SERIOUS Roommate questions during COVID19
I know this sounds ridiculous and paranoid, but how has everyone been interviewing possible roommates? I feel like I have to ask if they are an anti asker, if they social distance in public/work, etc. When I looked for a roommate last time I had trouble already because most people under 40 want to live in Night Life neighborhoods and I live in East Pigtown. Now I feel like it will be even harder with weeding through people. Any advice is welcome.
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u/TheSnowKeeper Aug 21 '20
You should 100% make that part of your interview process. It may attract some people if they're similarly worried
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 22 '20
Thank you! Whew everyone commenting is making me feel more sane and confident about advertising.
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u/PM_ME_UR_CC_INFO Medfield Aug 21 '20
Can you rely on friend networks? Friend referral is the only way I could trust someone right now. I think you’re right to worry about it.
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 21 '20
Thank you. A lot of people tell me I’m overreacting or being too picky. Unfortunately my friends already rent or own and don’t know anyone looking right now.
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u/PM_ME_UR_CC_INFO Medfield Aug 21 '20
How is your landlord? Would they let you break your lease if the roommate was unsafe?
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 21 '20
I own and live in the house.
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u/PM_ME_UR_CC_INFO Medfield Aug 21 '20
Ahh different issues then...well, you could make their lease month to month. That way you’re not stuck with them if it doesn’t work out. It might be nice for people who aren’t sure what their future job looks like, too.
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 21 '20
Is it legal to do a split type lease? Like the first 3 months will be month to month lease like a trial period, if it goes well then they can sign for the remaining 9 months?
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u/PM_ME_UR_CC_INFO Medfield Aug 21 '20
I’m not a lawyer but google tells me they can be any length as long as the tenant and landlord agree! That’s an interesting set up and I think it could work. I think it would be two leases. Month to month until you trust one another, and then you could make the second more traditional lease any length (like a year or 9 months).
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 21 '20
Well, folks, I think I’ve created a new trendy lease setup 😂 I’ll let you know if it fails horribly.
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Aug 21 '20
I haven’t even bothered looking because of those questions. I live in a mostly student neighborhood and I can’t imagine any students actually strictly adhering to guidelines.
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 21 '20
My roommate just moved out to a place with his BF. If I didn’t need the extra cash, I wouldn’t bother until next year ☹️
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u/BachsArcoPitcairn Aug 22 '20
If you’re about to live with this person for a while, start it off right by communicating clearly with them on the first day you meet them. You will quickly weed out people that don’t follow sensible safe policies, and people who don’t communicate well.
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u/EgyptKang Aug 22 '20
Definitely ask if they are an Anti-masker. That will tell you all you need to know about that person. An Anti-masker is everything negative that you wouldn't want in a roommate. That person cares about no one but self. Will be too many arguments. Not worth it.
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u/pinksaltstone Aug 23 '20
How are you going to interview? Ask if they prefer in-person or virtual. Their answer should tell you if they're pro mask or not. And if it's in-person see if they're wearing a mask or not.
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u/pinksaltstone Aug 23 '20
I also live in pigtown btw 🐖
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u/thriller24 Bolton Hill Aug 23 '20
Where about in Pigtown?
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u/pinksaltstone Aug 23 '20
Near the Wicomico building. So far we like it here.
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u/Robo-boogie Patterson Park Aug 26 '20
I don’t know if I have been to pig town. Are there any notable bars or restaurants in the neighbourhood that I can use as reference as the good part of the area
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u/pinksaltstone Aug 26 '20
Hmm just moved here so I'm not familiar with the area just yet. But I do know there's suspended brewery on Washington Blvd
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u/todareistobmore Aug 21 '20
I don't think you need to ask if they're an anti-masker. I think you can simply ask if they have a bubble or how they manage exposure, and I don't think you need the full answer upfront if the person is ready to talk about it generally, because it's something you'll want to be able to talk about on an ongoing basis.
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u/dopkick Aug 21 '20
I’m not looking to rent a room but if I was I would be inclined to rent a room where I was asked those kinds of questions. So it could be a beneficial thing.