[mocchi05]

I'm currently living in a serviced apartment and I find the rent too much. I looked through some flatshare classifieds on expat websites and found a person who is looking to share her flat. I'm a young female... I've never shared a flat before.. but my mother is freaking out and saying how it is unsafe to find a roommate on the internet. You don't know if you can trust the person or whether the person may bring in bad friends that will steal/kill/rape.

Is she being too worrysome? I think a lot of people find roommates through the internet. Have you ever heard of any bad stories that have happened in Hong Kong? Any good experiences or advice that you can share with me?

[HKChigger]

I think bad situations can happen anywhere. If you really want to try it out I would suggest visiting the place a few times to get a feel for how they live and just take in all you can about them to see if it's right for you.

Good luck.

[sunniefaith]

If you've not flat shared before at uni, it can be rather hard. I don't like to flat share because I find that both parties have to compromise too much. I flat shared when I was at uni once and that was the last time. To me, I'd rather starve and spend less than to share my space with someone.

[mocchi05]

I had a roommate in Uni and yea that was awful! Shared the same room. But at least that place was a school residence and my parents felt that was completely safe.

[Alby]

I've always have found flat shares through the internet. It has been relatively good as with all my flat shares each party felt that it was a means to save on living costs - we were not friends beforehand and we did not know each other beforehand. But with several former flat shares I have become very good friends long after we have gone our separate ways.

Personally, I think that you need to know "how you live" and what are you as a person are willing and not willing to compromise on.

For example .... smoking...if you are a nonsmoker but don't mind living with a smoker just as long as they don't do it in the flat.

Additionally, don't be afraid to ask for character and job references. Once I have room mate before moving in ask me and I actually thought it was a great idea. Allows for the person to get more of an insight on the person whom they are gong to be living with as well as ensuring that the person can pay their share of the rent.

[mocchi05]

Thanks so much for the advice and sharing your experiences everybody. =) I will keep working on it. The job/character references sounds like a really good idea. I've heard ppl say it's good to get a criminal record check too, but I have no idea if that's possible in HK.

[Alby]

Originally Posted by mocchi05

I've heard ppl say it's good to get a criminal record check too, but I have no idea if that's possible in HK.

Hmmm... I have never heard anyone say that before but if you "really must know" when you obtain a reference for a person's current job reference and/or any previous job references you can call and ask the HR department what is the company's hiring protocol.