How to locate Mustachian Roommate

[halseyskates33]

So in a stroke of wonderfulness I am getting rid of my spendthrift roommate in March : )

However, I want to stay where I am (2 bedrooms) as my rent is 2-3x less than it should be for this area. I want to make sure I find someone who is committed to this way of life. Can I start looking now? How would you advertise?

yes craigslist and local flyers, but what is the best Mustachian bait???

[FIRE Artist]

I can't help with your question, but am wondering why your roommate would have to have the same spending values as yourself?  If they are paying their half of the rent, why does it matter what they spend the rest of their money on?  Not judging, just curious of the thought behind this. 

[Warlord1986]

I'm with FIRE Artist. Why do you care how your roommates spend their money as long as they pay their share of the rent and don't steal your food?

[HipGnosis]

I'm with FIRE Artist. Why do you care how your roommates spend their money as long as they pay their rent, don't steal your stuff or leave the oven on?

[halseyskates33]

My concern comes from him not consistently paying his 1/2 of the rent to the point of us being threatened with eviction and me having to pay his half and him defaulting on the electric 3 times and again me having to write a check.

Honestly, I do not care how someone spends their outside money as long as they pay the bills on time.

[Fishindude]

You don't need a mustachian roommate.
You need an honest roommate that pays their bills on time.

[ender]

You don't need a mustachian roommate.
You need an honest roommate that pays their bills on time.

+1

[mskyle]

Wherever you advertise, ask for first month, last month, and a security deposit (3x rent total) before move-in. Firstly, when you put that in the ad you screen out people who don't have their shit together enough to have 3x rent on hand. Secondly, if they turn out to be flaky for other reasons, you at least have last month's rent and a security deposit. Also make sure they either a) have income equal to at least 3x the cost of rent each month or b) have some other realistic plan for paying the rent.

I'm not 100% clear on whether you're subletting a room or whether this person will be on the lease with you and pay your landlord directly, but even if your landlord doesn't require first/last/security you can still advertise that you're looking for someone who can pay that.

If your rent is significantly lower than average, you should be able to attract good roommates even with a substantial move-in cost.

[FIRE Artist]

What mskyle said.  Also, you can ask for prior landlord references, and actually check them. 

[Spork]

Or...  post here:  http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/mustachian-marketplace/

[undercover]

You don't need a mustachian roommate.
You need an honest roommate that pays their bills on time.

I agree...a responsible adult doesn't have to necessarily bike to work and line dry their clothes.

[MM_MG]

I'll disagree with the above posters.   Sure, having someone to pay the bills on time is great, but finding someone who shares the same values as you is a much better deal, especially if you are looking for someone to hang out with.  I would think posting here and other similar websites are good.  Or even just listing your preferences on c-list ads might prove useful.   Good luck!

[halseyskates33]

I think that is a big part of it as well. I would really like to have someone who has similar goals to be around, both for motivation and advice.

[marty998]

I'm with FIRE Artist. Why do you care how your roommates spend their money as long as they pay their share of the rent and don't steal your food?

I'm with FIRE Artist. Why do you care how your roommates spend their money as long as they pay their rent, don't steal your stuff or leave the oven on?

??? Very similar posts.... who gets done for plagiarism here?

(FWIW I agree with the sentiments... you could even profit in ways such as "recycling" their leftover food!)

[RobFIRE]

My interpretation is that the OP has had an issue with a former roommate in the past who was spending/wasting so much money they weren't always paying their share of rent and bills on time. If that happens, your roommate's spending becomes your concern. Typically in the UK a shared house/apartment is leased as "tenants in common", so if your housemate/roommate doesn't pay up, you are liable. Law/contracts aside, it will at least be a load of hassle if somebody puts you in that situation, I would certainly want to avoid it.

In terms of how you set up listings to find suitable roommates, I'd be making the place/environment sound like a quiet/professional/tidy place rather than a 24/7 party house, and vet applicants on those principles (email at 2 am on a weeknight that's all in one sentence, no punctuation and capitalization all over the place: decline. Simple polite email with reasonable questions: follow that one up).

[BlueHouse]

I think that is a big part of it as well. I would really like to have someone who has similar goals to be around, both for motivation and advice.

Don't describe what you're looking for in your adverts. Describe yourself. Describe what the new roomier will be getting.

"Quiet homebody who likes to read, reuse ziplock baggies, challenge myself to physical discomfort, bicycle, and generally save money, consume less, while still enjoying life is looking for someone to split costs with. ".