Why Facebook Groups Aren't Enough to Find a Roommate in 2025

Safety: you have no idea who you're messaging

The biggest problem with using a general social group for housing is the most obvious one: a profile picture does not tell you who is actually behind the chat. An account can use a stolen photo and a made-up name.

When you're about to share your private space, your bathroom, and your kitchen with a stranger, identity verification should be a given. Today we expect BankID for banking and MitID for government services. Why do we blindly trust random profiles when it comes to our home?

Chaotic search, wasted time

Facebook is designed for social interaction, not structured housing searches. The result can be a stream of disorganized listings: some are outdated, others lack a price or location, and useful replies are easily buried in comment threads.

Time is the most valuable asset in housing hunting. Spending hours sorting through spam isn't just annoying — it's counterproductive.

The culture of ghosting

We've all been there: you find a perfect listing, write a polite message — and hear nothing back. Or you start a nice conversation that suddenly dies out without a word. On Facebook, there's no consequence for ghosting people. On a dedicated platform, structure encourages serious dialogue where both parties are invested in finding a match.

Where is the compatibility?

The most important question isn't "do they have a room?" but "can we live together?". Are they a night owl while you're an early riser? Do they host parties every Friday while you need peace? Do they have a cat even though you're allergic?

On Facebook, you only find this out after you've signed a lease. That's backwards.

Scams are unfortunately common

Scammers may try to make housing seekers pay a deposit for a room they have not seen. On any platform, check the person, the property, and the contract before sending money.