10 money questions to ask a roommate before they move in
Money is the most common reason roommate arrangements fall apart. But most people only talk about the rent before moving in and leave everything else for "we'll see".
Ask these ten questions at the viewing and you will settle most future arguments before they start.
Ten questions about money
- How much is the rent share, and how is it divided? Equally, or by room size?
- Is there a deposit, who is it paid to and how is it returned?
- What are the building fees and shared costs?
- How are the bills split? What is the method for electricity, water, gas and internet?
- What is the payment day? Which day each month, to whom and how?
- What happens with late payments? Is there a rule?
- What counts as a shared expense? Groceries, cleaning supplies and shared items.
- How are records kept? Notebook, spreadsheet or app.
- What happens when someone leaves? The leaving person's share and notice period.
- Are there hidden costs? Repairs, upkeep or landlord charges.
Watch how they react
How comfortable a person is with the money conversation is information in itself. Someone who welcomes the questions and states their own expectations is a good sign. Someone who dodges the topic or gets uncomfortable will be hard to talk to about money later.
Red flags
- A candidate who keeps changing the subject when money comes up.
- Inconsistent reasons for leaving the last home, or one where "everyone else was wrong".
- Someone who keeps postponing the deposit or first month's rent.
- Someone who leaves payment decisions to others ("I don't know, you sort it").
- A listing owner who asks for money before you've seen the home (for your own safety, watch for scams).
None of these decides it on its own, but together they tell you a lot.
Write down what you agreed
Put the figures and methods you agreed in a short message: "Rent share $650, building fees split equally, bills split equally, payment on the 5th." It prevents "that's not what we said" later. For a fuller text, see our guide to writing house rules.
An evaluation table after the interview
| Topic | Expectation | Candidate | Fit (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent and bills | The 5th, equal | ... | ... |
| Cleaning | Weekly rota | ... | ... |
| Guests | Notice ahead | ... | ... |
| Comfort talking money | Open communication | ... | ... |
If several of you live there, each fill it in separately and compare. Deciding together becomes easier.
Prepare your own answers
An interview goes both ways; the candidate will ask you questions too. Know your own budget, payment habits and expectations: how much rent can you afford, how do you manage monthly income and spending, and which day do you pay? Clear answers build trust and screen out poor fits early.
After moving in
Add the new roommate to Ev Ortağım with an invite code and log expenses together from the first month. That way "who paid what" is answered from the start.
Frequently asked questions
How do you talk about money with a new roommate?
Before moving in, discuss the rent share, bills, deposit, payment day and shared costs openly, and write down what you agree.
How is a deposit paid with roommates?
The deposit usually goes to the landlord or the main tenant. Pay with a written record and agree how it will be returned when someone leaves.
Should I ask a roommate for references?
Yes. Hearing from mutual friends or previous roommates gives a sense of payment habits and living style.