There are many reasons why you would want a flatmate or someone to share your accommodation. These range from financial reasons to help pay the rent or mortgage, to social aspects of making new friends.

You may also be deciding to rent a place with a friend of yours, as co-signatures on a new lease, no matter for what reason this can be a great experience or turn into an uncomfortable situation for everyone. Even knowing someone as a friend needs discussion on the commitment of sharing a home together.

You need to ask yourself some questions in the process, like what are the things important to you and what type of people do you want to live with?

Its all fun and should work out just great for you. If you feel you want to do some prep work on the 'who and how' here are some tips and questions to ask potential house mates to help get some great harmony in your place.

When asking these questions just preface the questions by stating that you would like to cover these topics to ensure that everyone has a clear and fair understanding about living together.

• What are you seeking from a flatmate?
• Have you ever had a flatmate before?
• What, if anything, bothered you about your flatmates?
• What do you like to do socially?
• Do you play any sport or belong to any clubs or teams?
• Where did you go to school?
• Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or other friend who will be staying here frequently?
• Overnight guests - this is an important thing to plan ahead for...especially if your place is rather small. There's nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in your own apartment if your roommate has frequent guests, friends or family popping in or staying over - especially if they empty the fridge or commandeer the TV remote!
• Borrowing, does it bother you or could you just not care less? This includes not just clothing but computer or computer time, books, etc.
• Pets? If you don't like pets or are allergic or like some pets but not others make it known right out.
• Do you smoke? Drink? Do drugs? If yes to any, how often?
• Do you stay out late on weekdays?
• What is your occupation? What hours do you work?
• Did/do you have any credit problems? You need to know whether they can afford to pay the rent.
• What do you like to watch on television?
• What music do you listen to?
• Do you study?
• Do you have any unusual habits?

You can also share this information about yourself with any potential flatmate so that they understand you also. You want to get to that point of feeling harmony and understanding between each other.

Try and get a gauge on how financially responsible your would be flatmate is, this is important if it's your name on the lease, or decide decide whether your flatmate should go on the lease with you. Remember that whomever's name is on the lease is responsible for the condition of the property and the rental. This burden can be shared by adding names to the lease which you can do with the property manager or landlord.

Note that you may also wish to obtain a bond from the flatmate and this needs to be documented appropriately between you or either with the property manager or lodged directly with the bond board in each state.

And once you've found someone you think you could possibly hack it with, be sure to make a list of 'good house guidelines' and write them  down. This would include sharing the shopping or laundry duties, cleaning schedule, telephone schedule, putting the bins out, the do's and don'ts. And perhaps even consider agreeing upon an escape plan if things just don't work out: who leaves, who stays, etc.

See Paying the Rent and Bills for more tips.

That said, having a flatmate can be discovering a friend for life. Just take it slowly and realize that respecting your flatmate as an individual and some well placed compromise is the best way to survival and a great friendship during fantastic years of enjoyment!