<prompt> Human: Me and my 3 roommates have been living together in the same apartment for the last 2 years. We were put together randomly but have gotten along well. We have decided the time has come for a lifestyle upgrade and we want to rent a house.Im looking for advice on how to go about this. The lease on our apartment doesnt end for another 5 months. Should we start looking now or closer to our move in date? I Assume most people posting their houses are looking for renters willing to move in inside of a month. Would we all be paying rent separately to the landlord or will they want it to come from one person? If the later, what should we do to ensure one person doesnt get screwed if another cant pay their rent? Anything else Im not thinking of?  <response>: Look closer to your move date. Most landlords wont give you the time of day until the month before youre looking to move. Vacancies now probably wont be available when youre ready. Dont break your lease because your next landlord may ask for previous landlord references. 