How to vet a potential roommate without being weird
Meet in person or by video, ask about routines, and discuss rent and lease terms plainly. Listen for clear answers about why they are moving and what they want from a home.
For a serious arrangement, ask for a prior landlord or roommate reference. Verify employment or ability to pay only to the extent needed, and handle personal information carefully. You do not need to interrogate someone or search for every trace of their past.
Notice practical behavior: are they on time, prepared, and respectful of boundaries? Those small signals are often more useful than a polished social profile.
Good vetting is mutual. Offer the same transparency you are asking for.