The process of looking for off-campus housing can be great fun, but there are certain things you need to consider before you begin you search. Not least who do you want to live with next year? One of the most difficult tasks in finding a home is deciding who you actually want to live with.

Consequently, it is adviseable to consider the following before committing yourself:

* Know your limits and preferences before hand – do your potential housemates have any bad habbits.
* Are you willing to share a bathroom and with how many people?
* Do you want to live with people of the same sex or in a mixed household?
* Will you be willing to supply utensils, etc. that may be shared?
* Do you want to walk, bike or get the bus to Uni? How far would you be willing to walk to the nearest bus stop?

Living with others

Even the best property can be a miserable place to live if you are sharing with someone you don’t like. Seriously consider the following factors that influence the success of sharing responsibility and personal space, even with a long-time friend:

* Noise. Do you need peace and quiet to study? Do they?
* Cleanliness. Are their habits going to conflict with yours?
* Who will be there. Who are their friends and significant other? Who else will be spending time in your home?
* Comfotable with them. Do you enjoy their company? Do you feel safe around them?
* Responsibility. Can you trust them to pay their portion of the rent/utility bills – where not included in the rent?
* Major personality conflicts. Can you handle living with them 24/7 in a confined space?
* Do they respect you. Are you happy to share your privacy, and your belongings?

Joining an existing household

If you are wanting to join an existing household, you’ll want to ask even more questions. So invest a bit more time viewing the property and meeting your potential housemates to increase your odds of making an accurate assessment.

Be sure you meet all your potential housemates and consider your decison carefully. Your observations of them and presentation of yourself will be more reliable if you take your time and perhaps seek to arrange a second viewing before making a committment.

Listen to your gut instincts; they are often right. Write down your observations so you can re-evaluate them later.