The roommate deal-breakers worth being picky about
It is reasonable to pass on a mismatch about smoking, pets, overnight guests, quiet hours, or working from home. It is also reasonable to insist on transparent rent, a real lease story, and a way to verify who is responsible for the home.
Repeated lateness, pressure to send money, evasive answers, and contempt for former roommates deserve attention. So does a person who dismisses your stated boundary before you have moved in.
Do not reject someone for harmless differences in taste or personality. Save your pickiness for the conditions that create daily stress or financial risk.
The right deal-breakers protect the home you need, not an imaginary perfect roommate.