A Complete Guide to Conducting a Roommate Background Check

With rent rising in cities like Atlanta ($859 for roommates) and Austin ($937), shared living has become a practical solution for managing expenses. According to SpareRoom, more renters, particularly young professionals and students, are turning to roommates to reduce costs.

However, living with someone else can make you feel vulnerable, so finding the right housemate is essential for a comfortable home life. Roommate background checks can provide key insights into a potential housemate’s history, helping you make an informed decision before committing. But what exactly should you look for?

This article covers how to run comprehensive roommate background checks, the key facts to look for, and how to use this information to choose the best housemate.

The benefits of roommate background checks

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s explore the ‘why’ of background checking. When moving in with someone new, ensuring they’re trustworthy is essential since their behavior will directly affect your daily life. A background check helps you feel secure and:

Stay safe and secure

A background check not only ensures that your potential roommate doesn’t have a criminal history that could threaten your safety, but it can also give you insight into their lifestyle habits.

For example, understanding whether they have a history of responsible behavior, such as paying bills on time and maintaining respectful relationships with landlords, helps ensure that you’re living with someone who values security and stability.

Prevent financial stress

When you share living expenses with someone, it’s essential to know if they are financially responsible. A background check goes beyond verifying income—it can also show you if a potential roommate has a habit of paying rent on time, avoiding debt, and managing their finances well.

This financial responsibility is also an indicator of how they may handle other aspects of shared living, like splitting utilities or contributing to household expenses in a timely manner.

What information to collect from your potential roommate

A background check’s effectiveness depends on the quality of the information you gather. To fully understand a prospective roommate, make sure to obtain the following details with their permission:

• Basic information: Gather basic details about your potential roommate, including their full name, date of birth, current address, and contact information.
• Criminal history: Perform criminal background checks to see if a potential roommate has any criminal records or a history of violence that could jeopardize your safety and security.
• Employment verification: Verify a potential roommate’s employment status, position, income, and tenure to evaluate their ability to fairly contribute to shared housing expenses.
• Rental history: Check their rental history to gain insights into their past behavior as tenants. See if they have a history of paying rent on time, taking care of the property, and respecting the rules set by previous landlords. This will help you gauge whether they can be reliable roommates.
• Credit check:A credit check allows you to assess their financial responsibility and ability to handle financial commitments. You can see their credit score, outstanding debts, and payment history. A strong credit background demonstrates responsibility, while issues like late payments or collections should raise concerns. Credit checks are essential for understanding if they can manage shared financial responsibilities.
• Personal references: Contacting personal references can help you better understand the potential roommate’s character and reliability. Speak to previous roommates or acquaintances for insight into their behavior, communication skills, and overall compatibility.
• Social media screening: Social media can offer a window into your potential roommate’s lifestyle. Stick to publicly available profiles and watch for behavior that may signal potential issues, like excessive partying or risky activities.

Remember, while these details are important, they don’t offer a complete picture of a person. It’s important to evaluate all this information within the appropriate context and with kindness.

Step-by-step guide to conducting a roommate background check

There are various methods for performing background checks, from using online services to hiring professionals to DIY options.

Using a screening service

An online service like Azibo's tenant screening makes running comprehensive background checks easy, as you can quickly access a wealth of information while maintaining legal protocols.

Here are the key steps to using a screening service:

Step 1: Get written consent from your potential roommate to do the background check. Inform them of the types of information you plan to access.

Step 2: Choose a reliable background check service and submit a request with your roommate's details, such as full legal name and SSN.

Step 3: Verify their identity when the service prompts for ID validation.

Step 4: Review the detailed background check report you receive, watching for any red flags.

Step 5: Have an open conversation with your potential roommate to discuss the findings. Respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality.

Step 6: Keep the background check results confidential by storing them securely and destroying them when no longer needed.

*When using Azibo for renter screening, sign up as a property owner to access the application. Additionally, you can use Azibo to collect rent from your new roommate for free.

Set up your free account today.

Legal considerations

Before you start your background check, it's important to follow the law and respect your potential roommate's privacy. As mentioned previously, you'll need your potential roommate's written consent to gather much of this information.

Professional services

Professional background check companies specialize in comprehensively gathering and verifying information from various sources. They can provide a detailed report that includes criminal records, a credit report, their rental background, and more.

However, professional services typically cost more than running checks through an online screening platform, so be sure to weigh convenience against cost when determining which service to use.

DIY methods

If you're on a budget, consider conducting your own background check using publicly available information. This could include reviewing the prospective roommate's social media profiles, contacting personal references, or speaking with their previous landlords.

Although a DIY approach requires more time and effort, it can still offer useful insights into your potential roommate. However, this method might not be as thorough or reliable as professional background checks.

Look out for red flags

During the roommate background check process, pay attention to red flags or warning signs that might make you think twice about living with someone. Common red flags include a history of not paying rent on time, a bad credit report, previous criminal activities, or dishonesty during the interview. 

Trust your instincts if you notice inconsistencies or feel uneasy about the information you find. It is important to choose a roommate who makes you feel safe and comfortable in your home.

Best practices for roommate screening

To ensure a successful roommate screening process, follow these best practices:

• Be thorough: Conduct a comprehensive background check that includes criminal history, credit report, employment history, and personal references. This thorough approach helps you gather all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
• Be transparent: Clearly communicate your screening process and expectations to potential roommates. Transparency helps build trust and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
• Be fair: Treat all potential roommates equally and avoid discrimination. Fairness is crucial for maintaining a respectful and ethical screening process.
• Be patient: Take the time to thoroughly evaluate the results of the background check and make an informed decision. Rushing the process can lead to overlooking important details that could impact your living situation.

By following these best practices and including the necessary information in your background check, you can ensure a successful roommate screening process and find a reliable and trustworthy roommate.

Background check for roommate: Conduct with confidence

With rising rent costs, many renters are turning to roommates to help manage expenses. However, ensuring a harmonious living situation starts with finding a trustworthy and compatible housemate.

A thorough tenant screening provides valuable insights into a potential roommate’s financial responsibility, lifestyle, and reliability. Whether you use professional services, online platforms like Azibo, or take a DIY approach, gathering the right information will help you make an informed decision.

Choosing the right roommate is key to creating a peaceful and affordable home. By taking the time to vet your housemate thoroughly—whether through a DIY process or with the help of a service like Azibo—you’ll set yourself up for a positive living experience. Your future self will thank you for it.

Set up your free account today.