How To Write an Ad For a Roommate

You’re finally out of that sardine can they call a dorm room and now you’re in need of a roommate to help cover the expenses of living in a student apartment as far away from campus as humanly possible—without needing a car, a bike or having to ride the bus, of course.

You’re writing the ad you’ll post up all over campus, at the local grocery store and at work. But what should you say? Here are some things to think about and include in your “Looking for a Roomie” advertisement.

Where?

While you don’t have to disclose the exact location of your apartment, giving your potential roomies an approximation of your location will help you snag a roommate faster than you would without including it.

How much?

Before you type in the exact cost of half the rent each month, consider a few other things: who has the larger bedroom, what is half the cost of utilities, cable and internet, the cost of sharing food and other expenses. Be sure to include the total cost of living per month and be sure to note what will be included and excluded from that amount.

Smoking or Non-smoking?

Whether you’re a chain smoker or vehemently against nicotine in all of its forms, you should state it loud and proud in your ad. Nothing will bug you, or your new roomie, more than finding out that little tidbit two days after they’ve moved in.

Male or female?

If you want only same sex roommates, make sure to type it out in bold lettering. You don’t want to waste your time or anyone else’s by forgetting that core piece of information.

Do they have to be a student at your college?

Plenty of non-students are out looking for a roommate every day. If you want your roommate to be attending college and to be attending your university, you should be sure to write that in your ad as well.

Parties, friends, sleepovers, etc.

You’re getting a headache, right? Who ever thought that writing an ad to find a roommate for your student apartment could take so much time and effort? If you don’t want parties at your place every Friday night, aren’t into friends hanging out until 2am and don’t want significant others or members of the opposite sex spending the night, you had better say it up front.

Other details.

Before you print off your “Desperately Seeking Roommate” ad, consider any other quirks you could live without. If you’re allergic to cats or your apartment complex doesn’t allow pets, remember to include that. And if your apartment management does background checks, you should type something like “Must pass apartment required background check.”

You’re not the only one out there searching for the perfect roommate and you can always go to http://www.nostinkyroommates.com to find your perfect roommate without posting flyers, taking out ads in the local newspaper or cruising the dorms like you’re searching for a date.