If you have looked high and low, left and right and even peaked around the corner and are starting to think that finding your perfect roommates is just not possible, think again. You can find the roommates you have been looking for by following the old saying "ask and you shall receive". Simply by asking the right questions, you can find the roommates that are right for you.

To be successful you will have to ask questions that help you to find out more about the people you are talking to about becoming a roommate - information that they may not tell you otherwise. This may involve asking some tough questions but its better to do it now rather than regret it later. Remember, you will need to live with your new roommates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

By now you must be wondering what questions should I ask to find the perfect roommate. The questions you will need to ask will depend on whether you are looking for a room in an established household or are the one offering the room.

When you are offering a room, your questions will have to focus on whether the new roommate would fit in with you and other existing roommates. Here are some questions that you could ask that looks at the suitability of a person as a roommate.

1. Why are you looking for an apartment/house to share?
2. Have you lived with roommates before?
3. Do you like to entertain and have friends over?
4. Do you like to spend a lot of time at home or do you prefer to go out?
5. What kind of music do you like? Do have any hobbies or play sport?
6. What are your preferred food arrangements?
7. What would your ideal living arrangements be?
8. How would you contribute to the household?
9. What would you say would be your 3 worst habits?
10. What furniture would you be bringing?
11. How long would you intend to live here?
12. What are your future plans?
13. How much notice would you need to give before you could move in?
14. Would you be able to provide references, if needed?

When the tables are turned and you are looking for a room for yourself, the focal point of your questions will have to change. The questions you ask will help you decide whether or not you could live with existing habits and living patterns. Asking questions like the ones below will assist you when unlocking the real story to what lies behind closed doors.

1. How many people live here on a permanent and casual basis?
2. Do the people who live here like to do a lot of entertaining?
3. What are the arrangements when roommates want to entertain or have friends over?
4. Do the people living here, prefer to stay at home or go out?
5. What are the food and shopping arrangements?
6. How are decisions that affect everyone in the household made?
7. What are the responsibilities of each person living in the household?
8. What expenses make up the rent? Does it include electricity and water?
9. Are there any other expenses and if so, what are they and how much do they cost?
10. How often does the rent increase? Why has it increased in the past?
11. What happens to the bond that gets paid?
12. Who is responsible for the lease?
13. Is there any furniture in the room?
14. When would the room be available?

No matter what your current situation, remember the way to find your perfect roommates, is to ask the right questions at the right time. By preparing relevant questions before meeting potential roommates, you will find success and realize it is as easy as that saying "ask and you shall receive".

Good luck and happy roommate hunting!

Enid Steiner is a Director of Flatwithme.com.au, an Australian online roommate service. For more information and advice about finding and living with roommates log onto http://www.flatwithme.com.au/advice.html