Significance of Compatible Room/Flatmate: A Qualitative Thematic Study

Many people these days are questioning whether students and young working professionals should live alone or with roommates, and if one decides to live with a roommate, how do they find the compatible one? And on this subject, there are differing viewpoints. In order to address the same, the present study was undertaken. The aim of the present study is to explore the factors determining compatibility among roommates/flatmates and examine the degree to which roommate/flatmate compatibility is an essential factor in co-living. For this purpose, a total sample of 35 participants (20 students and 15 working professionals) were selected across India who lived with a roommate/flatmate within the year 2018-2020 for at least 3 months. Data were collected through telephonic interviews & were thematically analyzed. Various themes emerged which suggested that if individuals don’t have any shared ties, they feel the need for a facilitator as an app or a service that can help them find compatible roommates/flatmates. Future implications of the study have also been discussed.