What resources can I use to find a great roommate for my apartment in Oakland, CA?
June 1, 2012 9:30 AM Subscribe
What resources can I use to find a great roommate for my apartment in Oakland, CA?
For two years I've lived in a beautiful apartment in Oakland, CA. The first year was with one of my best friends, which was fun. Then I had to find someone new and, after a month of high stress and a couple of panic attacks, found a fantastic roommate. Now she's moving too.
I need someone to move in July 1st, which is also the day I'm going out of town for two weeks. I am already freaking out. (This is less relevant, but I am prone to anxiety, on meds and therapy, and have had truly terrible roommate experiences in the past - think pet endangerment, chain smoking that aggravates a health condition in a non-smoking apartment, theft of meds and money, and an abusive partner breaking in.)
I have a post on craigslist and just emailed CCA about getting a listing on their housing board (my apartment is a reasonable distance away from their Oakland campus). Also made a Facebook post and tagged a few friends who I think / hope might know people. What else can I do? Where else can I post? Any tips for finding someone who is not secretly awful? Any tips for making my ads get good responses? It is a small apartment so there will be no avoiding each other and I have been burned in the past, so I am freaking out.
Other info: this is for a lease, 9 - 12 months. Landlord does not allow month-to-month or subletting. Moving from my beloved apartment, and right before a big trip, sends me into an even worse panic.
For two years I've lived in a beautiful apartment in Oakland, CA. The first year was with one of my best friends, which was fun. Then I had to find someone new and, after a month of high stress and a couple of panic attacks, found a fantastic roommate. Now she's moving too.
I need someone to move in July 1st, which is also the day I'm going out of town for two weeks. I am already freaking out. (This is less relevant, but I am prone to anxiety, on meds and therapy, and have had truly terrible roommate experiences in the past - think pet endangerment, chain smoking that aggravates a health condition in a non-smoking apartment, theft of meds and money, and an abusive partner breaking in.)
I have a post on craigslist and just emailed CCA about getting a listing on their housing board (my apartment is a reasonable distance away from their Oakland campus). Also made a Facebook post and tagged a few friends who I think / hope might know people. What else can I do? Where else can I post? Any tips for finding someone who is not secretly awful? Any tips for making my ads get good responses? It is a small apartment so there will be no avoiding each other and I have been burned in the past, so I am freaking out.
Other info: this is for a lease, 9 - 12 months. Landlord does not allow month-to-month or subletting. Moving from my beloved apartment, and right before a big trip, sends me into an even worse panic.
Have you asked around your building? Perhaps other tenants know someone who might be interested. Also work, I got my Oakland apartment on Ninth street through friends who also lived in the building. We had a BALL!
Can you float two weeks rent for the whole place so that you don't have to worry about someone moving in while you're away? That might ease your anxiety. If not, can they move in a day or two early?
I posted this a couple of days ago, but it's relevant.
I would recommend that once you've got your roommate list down to a short-list, that you consider some things:
1. You want your roommate to be financially secure. If someone is having issues ponying up for First, Last, Security as well as any utility deposits, no matter what kind of mench they are, they are not for you.
2. You want someone who can deal with your level of neatness-slobiness. If your current situation is making you crazy, you'll need to express that with any roommates, if you don't mind it, then you'll need to tell a prospective roommate that it's cool with you.
3. Have a written roommate agreement. I watch too damn much People's Court to know that there are certain things you want in writing:
a. Noise levels and time frames. If you have a 9-5, you want to make it damn clear that all of those girls playing Quarters are going to be out of the living room by 11:30 on school nights.
b. Who pays what. If you're splitting the utilities, write it down, if one person pays cable but the other pays electric, write it down.
c. Expectations on cleanliness in public spaces. Again, after you've covered it in a conversation, don't be afraid to write it down. If you've agreed that you'll clean the joint once a week, make a note of it.
d. Overnight guests. Is it cool with you for your roommate to bring home a screamer so she can keep you up all night? Do you want to put a cap on the number of nights this can happen? Write it down.
4. Have the Landlord hold the security deposits and have the Landlord have the roommate sign the lease. You'll likely still need to pay the rent in a lump sum. Both (or all of you) should pay with Money Orders. Don't give someone cash to write the check. If your Landlord insists on one check, then have your roommates pay you in Money Orders or cash. If cash, keep a little notebook, where you write it down, give your roommate a receipt and where you both sign every month that a certain amount was given and received.
5. Take pictures of the place as it is the day your roommate starts living with you, upload them to The Cloud. Print them out and have him or her sign them the day they move in.
6. Download a Punch List and have roommate note any issues with the place on move-in day, provide a copy to the landlord, keep one for your file. This protects EVERYONE against being charged for stuff that breaks or gets trashed in the future.
7. Pets. Are you likely to get a pet? Is your roommate? Are they allowed. Decide now how you're dealing with it because at some point it's going to come up.
8. Drugs. Are you okay with recreational use? Totally NOT okay? Again, it needs to be in writing.
The idea is to set the expectations up front, and not have any nasty surprises on either end. Now, you may think I'm an anal-retentive nightmare, but live and learn, I've had awesome roommates who are still my best friends after 25 years, and I've been stuck with a 3 bedroom townhouse when someone moved out on me after two months.
Protect yourself, protect yourself, protect yourself.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:38 AM on June 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
Can you float two weeks rent for the whole place so that you don't have to worry about someone moving in while you're away? That might ease your anxiety. If not, can they move in a day or two early?
I posted this a couple of days ago, but it's relevant.
I would recommend that once you've got your roommate list down to a short-list, that you consider some things:
1. You want your roommate to be financially secure. If someone is having issues ponying up for First, Last, Security as well as any utility deposits, no matter what kind of mench they are, they are not for you.
2. You want someone who can deal with your level of neatness-slobiness. If your current situation is making you crazy, you'll need to express that with any roommates, if you don't mind it, then you'll need to tell a prospective roommate that it's cool with you.
3. Have a written roommate agreement. I watch too damn much People's Court to know that there are certain things you want in writing:
a. Noise levels and time frames. If you have a 9-5, you want to make it damn clear that all of those girls playing Quarters are going to be out of the living room by 11:30 on school nights.
b. Who pays what. If you're splitting the utilities, write it down, if one person pays cable but the other pays electric, write it down.
c. Expectations on cleanliness in public spaces. Again, after you've covered it in a conversation, don't be afraid to write it down. If you've agreed that you'll clean the joint once a week, make a note of it.
d. Overnight guests. Is it cool with you for your roommate to bring home a screamer so she can keep you up all night? Do you want to put a cap on the number of nights this can happen? Write it down.
4. Have the Landlord hold the security deposits and have the Landlord have the roommate sign the lease. You'll likely still need to pay the rent in a lump sum. Both (or all of you) should pay with Money Orders. Don't give someone cash to write the check. If your Landlord insists on one check, then have your roommates pay you in Money Orders or cash. If cash, keep a little notebook, where you write it down, give your roommate a receipt and where you both sign every month that a certain amount was given and received.
5. Take pictures of the place as it is the day your roommate starts living with you, upload them to The Cloud. Print them out and have him or her sign them the day they move in.
6. Download a Punch List and have roommate note any issues with the place on move-in day, provide a copy to the landlord, keep one for your file. This protects EVERYONE against being charged for stuff that breaks or gets trashed in the future.
7. Pets. Are you likely to get a pet? Is your roommate? Are they allowed. Decide now how you're dealing with it because at some point it's going to come up.
8. Drugs. Are you okay with recreational use? Totally NOT okay? Again, it needs to be in writing.
The idea is to set the expectations up front, and not have any nasty surprises on either end. Now, you may think I'm an anal-retentive nightmare, but live and learn, I've had awesome roommates who are still my best friends after 25 years, and I've been stuck with a 3 bedroom townhouse when someone moved out on me after two months.
Protect yourself, protect yourself, protect yourself.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:38 AM on June 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
Know any grad students? Get them to send a message to their department listservs. July 1st is probably a bit early for the first years to be looking for housing, but you might get lucky with someone looking earlier or the older students who haven't moved yet.
(I can put you in touch with my best friend who will need a place to live in a couple weeks, but not until after July 1st, I don't think.)
posted by hoyland at 9:57 AM on June 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
(I can put you in touch with my best friend who will need a place to live in a couple weeks, but not until after July 1st, I don't think.)
posted by hoyland at 9:57 AM on June 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm looking for a place to move in! Some MeFi folks know me in person and I am extremely understanding about meds and anxiety, have a good job, and will be very nice to your pets. Message me! I need a place!
posted by lollipopgomez at 10:46 AM on June 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by lollipopgomez at 10:46 AM on June 1, 2012 [3 favorites]
The rental market is getting very tight in San Francisco, and I imagine the East Bay isn't far behind, so you'll likely have your pick of non-terrible people, especially if you live decently near a BART station.
As someone who has roommates in Oakland and lives decently near a BART station, I can confirm this is true.
Also, you might see if you can get on any sort of UC Berkeley-related housing boards (I don't know of any but they surely must exist) -- if your location in your profile is accurate it's not a bad bus or BART commute to get there.
Finally, I would like to confirm that lollipopgomez, author of the previous comment, is awesome.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:49 AM on June 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
As someone who has roommates in Oakland and lives decently near a BART station, I can confirm this is true.
Also, you might see if you can get on any sort of UC Berkeley-related housing boards (I don't know of any but they surely must exist) -- if your location in your profile is accurate it's not a bad bus or BART commute to get there.
Finally, I would like to confirm that lollipopgomez, author of the previous comment, is awesome.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:49 AM on June 1, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Can you float two weeks rent for the whole place so that you don't have to worry about someone moving in while you're away?
Yes, though because of how my landlord operates, they would still have to sign a lease for the 1st. I couldn't float rent for any longer than this.
If not, can they move in a day or two early?
I am working this out with my current roommate, I really hope so.
You guys are amazing. Thank you and keep the ideas coming!
posted by fireflies at 10:58 AM on June 1, 2012
Yes, though because of how my landlord operates, they would still have to sign a lease for the 1st. I couldn't float rent for any longer than this.
If not, can they move in a day or two early?
I am working this out with my current roommate, I really hope so.
You guys are amazing. Thank you and keep the ideas coming!
posted by fireflies at 10:58 AM on June 1, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rtha at 9:35 AM on June 1, 2012