Gumtree

I think that I could fill a whole blog with adverts for flat shares from Gumtree, but I'll start with this post:

Advertising the spare room in your flat share is your chance to find exactly the kind of housemate you want.  Don't stop at vague requests for your new housemate to be male/female/gay/bi/mid 20s/student/professional, this is your chance to get specific.  No need to be shy now...

Their nationality:

"I'm open to Filipina ladies only."
 "irish housemate wanted female "
"Large Single Room for Indian Professional "
"Zone 1 (French Females Preferred)"
"it would be a great advantage if I had a French speaking housemate to help me to learn the language"
"Free room share for qualified or professional native Latin American Spanish speaker "
"looking for Asian girl to share with another asian channese girl. "

Posting in the language of the nationality you are looking for will help a lot:

"Duza dwojka do wynajecia dla dziewczyny lub dwoch dziewczyn w domu z ogrodem"
"Turkce konusan bayan oda arkadasi ariyorum."
"Ragazzi ho trovato un 3 bedroom flat fantastico (high standard at affordable prices) u have to see it to believe it, appartamento davvero bello  "

Their religion:

"Muslium Female wanted to share room with other pakistsni female "
"cheap room sharing for muslim girl"
"This is a christian home for people with a passion for Jesus Christ and people. "


Their personality:

"looking for a girly-girl"
"looking for a friendly and sociable flatmate who loves dogs,"
" Friendly young clean guys wanted for triple room share" but also "This is NOT a party house. "
"Would be cool if you were artistic/architecture-y but not fussed."
"Vegetarian, friendly, clean and tidy, mature person wanted"
"Responsible,Friendly, considerate, appreciative of other Cultural Backgrounds, only these type of persons need apply."

Their hobbies:

"If you like organic food, jogging, cooking and a nice chat around a glass of wine with friends - this is your type of flat. "
"Small double room available in 3 bed flat .... Must like wine! "

If you're not sure who you're looking for then go for a range of people:
"Double Room in Southall for Couple/Children or Females."


 Also there's the small matter of persuading them they want to live with you...

"inclusive of fresh flowers, weekly cleaning, laundry and ironing, gas, electricity, water, telephone rental and wireless broadband"
"One small catch is that we must rarely walk through one corner of your room to get to the separate kitchen,"
"two old dears either side of us who don't appear to care how loud we go."
" Superb House Shared By Europeans."

Anything else you have to offer?
"For 15£ per week I can arrange the rental of a bicycle  "

Once your prospective flatmate has been identified you've got to check them out:

"please drop a few lines about you along a link to FB or Linkedin page."
"DEPOSIT AND PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT , AND IMMIGRATION STATUS REQUIRED......"

Gumtree you provide me with hours of entertainment.  If only I could say I'd found a place to live too.