There was a time when having roommates was mostly reserved for college students and young adults venturing out on their own for the first time. But these days, people from every generation are discovering the financial and social benefits of living with roommates. The key, of course, is to find the right ones. One of the primary benefits of living with roommates is splitting the rent, utilities, and other essentials, so choosing financially stable roommates is key. Be on the lookout for these financial red flags.

Reluctance to Discuss Finances

While you normally wouldn’t discuss your money situation with someone you first meet, it’s an important part of the roommate screening process. If they try to change the subject or give evasive non-answers to direct questions, that could be a sign they’re not able to consistently hold up their end of the financial bargain.

Some things to ask include:  how they will pay the rent, the indoor temperature they prefer (this will determine how much heat or air conditioning you use and in turn, your utility bills), and how often they plan to entertain guests.

Unstable Employment

While not a guarantee, a history of stable employment is often an indicator of stability overall. And current employment should be a prerequisite for any potential roommates. If your early conversations with a prospective roomie are all about how much they hate their boss, slack off on the job and can’t wait to quit, those are potential warning signs. You want to room with someone you can count on to bring in regular income, rather than someone whose job is hanging by a thread.

Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

Your new roommate has big plans to paint the whole apartment, buy all new furniture and add a surround sound system — and they expect you to pay for half of it. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to upgrade your living space. But the changes need to be reasonable ones you both agree to and can afford. Find out what your potential new roommate thinks of the living space before adding them to the lease, so you can avoid uncomfortable and potentially expensive surprises after the fact.

Excessive Entertaining

You should expect your new roommate will want to have friends and family over. But it would help to get an idea of how often and what they plan to do while they’re there. If the plan includes big parties with a lot of guests, discuss the ground rules and make it clear who will be responsible for any damages.

Or, if they’re planning on having a significant other stay over several nights a week, establish how much they’ll be expected to chip in for using extra water and electricity. These might seem like awkward conversations, but it’s much better to have these discussions up front than to wait for misunderstandings or resentments to build up after they move in.