How to find a flatmate? Top tips for looking for the right person
Would you like your life to feel like an episode of Friends? Living with flatmates has lots of perks, which makes flatsharing a popular option for people of all ages.
When looking for a flatmate, it’s a good idea to think about your daily routines, habits, and the kind of home environment you both enjoy. Do you want a lively place where friends drop by throughout the week, or do you prefer a quieter, more peaceful life? Would you rather live in the heart of the city, or somewhere with nature right on your doorstep?
We’ve gathered our top tips for finding a flatmate who’s a great match for your lifestyle.
1. Find a flatmate among friends
Is there anything better than a never-ending sleepover with a friend? When looking for a flatmate, think about whether any of your friends might share your lifestyle and housing needs.
2. Find a flatmate among friends of friends
If necessary, broaden your search to friends of friends. They'll most probably make like-minded and trustworthy flatmates. And who knows, you might even make a new friend in the process!
3. Find a flatmate on Facebook or other socials
There are plenty of online groups where you can look for a flatmate. Don’t hesitate to reach out to people in different life situations, as your perfect match might not be who you expect. Someone from another generation might turn out to be the best flatmate ever and bring a whole new richness to your daily life.
4. Find a flatmate on school noticeboards
Does your school or university have a physical or digital notice board, or some other channel where you can reach a wide group of people? Fellow students from the same institution are often great flatmate candidates.
Suitable rental apartments for flatsharing
At Joo Kodit, you’ll find plenty of rental homes that are perfect for flatsharing in the greater Helsinki region, Turku, Tampere, and Oulu, just to mention a few cities. You can search for your ideal location and rental apartment here.
What kind of rental agreement works best for a flatshare?
If you're moving in with one or more friends, we recommend listing all tenants as primary tenants on the rental agreement. That way, the responsibility for paying rent and looking after the home is shared equally.
It's also possible to rent an apartment in just one person's name and then sublet to the others. Subletting is allowed for up to half of the apartment, and the landlord must always be informed, as water fees and other costs will be affected.
Before choosing to sublet, it's important to know that the primary tenant is responsible for paying the full rent to the landlord and for any issues caused by the subtenants. This includes things like damage to the apartment, disturbances, or unpaid rent. That's why signing the rental agreement together is usually the simpler and more stress-free option.
How to make flatsharing run smoothly?
Check out our tips in the video:
