How do you find the perfect Flatshare?

Finding the roommate that's right for you is no easy task. At Colonies, we've come up with 5 tips to help you in your search for the perfect flatshare.

Who should choose a shared flat?

For a long time, flatsharing was seen as an accommodation solution reserved for students and young single professionals. Today, this model is outdated. Couples, single people with children, divorced 40-somethings and even senior citizens can all benefit from the advantages of this form of cohabitation. Whatever your situation, there are steps to follow to find the roommate that's right for you.

Our 5 steps to finding a flat-share

Here are a few things to bear in mind when looking for a shared flat.

Defining your criteria

The first thing you need to do to find your ideal roommate is to define your search criteria. That way, you won't get lost or disillusioned. What's more, you'll have a clear and precise search line.

First of all, what's your search area? Is it just your arrondissement? The suburbs? The surrounding countryside? Answering these questions is crucial, as it will enable you to eliminate or expand your area of exploration. It also influences the type of accommodation you'll be looking for (house? apartment?).

Next, define your budget for your shared apartment. On average, the cost of a room shared with roommates is lower than that of a studio apartment. This is a good start to establishing your budget for the lease and avoiding potential scams. But of course, as with all other types of accommodation, it's above all the number of m2 and the geographical location that will largely influence the price. For example, a shared flat in Paris will not cost the same as one in Bordeaux for the same quality.

The last important question you need to ask yourself is: who do you want to live with? Nowadays, there are flat-shares to suit all profiles. For example, if you're a student, you'll probably want the atmosphere of a student apartment, but with more comforts. If you're a senior citizen, you may want to live with people your own age, or on the contrary, with roommates from all walks of life. In short, you're spoilt for choice.

Establishing your search framework

Once you've answered all these questions, it's time to start looking for your future home. To do this, visit one of the many colocation search sites available. Colonies is one of the leading sites in this field, where you're sure to find offers tailored to your needs.

At Colonies, we offer a different, more human experience. Our aim is to provide our customers with a living space where they can feel at ease and exchange ideas. And where daily needs are managed by a Residence Manager. So you can make the most of your shared apartment experience.

Take care with your applications

Gone are the days of the "woman looking for a flat" type of application. To respond to an ad looking for a flatmate, you need to be more original and not hesitate to tell more about yourself. This isn't a job interview, because you'll be living with new people every day. So you need to be sure of your compatibility. Don't hesitate to give more details about your passions, activities, talents and roommate profile. Of course, don't forget to mention if you're a bit of a maniac or if you like cooking for others. This can be a great asset to your application.

Visit several apartments

To avoid making the wrong choice, don't just rely on photos of an apartment. You should also visit it, if only to be sure that the location, equipment and general condition of the accommodation are suitable. It's also a good opportunity to meet the other housemates and make sure you're getting on well together. Then, once the visit is over, establish the positive and negative points of the place and compare them with those of the other apartments you've visited.

Choosing the right shared-tenancy contract

The last element to consider is the signing of the lease. There are 2 types of lease. In the first case, each tenant signs a unique contract with the landlord. In the second, all tenants sign the same contract with the landlord. Once you've agreed to one of these contracts, all you have to do is move into your new room for as long as you wish.

Looking for a shared flat

As you already know, to find a flatshare that's right for you, you need to follow a number of clearly defined steps. To simplify the process, don't hesitate to contact our experts. At Colonies, we're here to help you find the best possible shared apartment solution.