I've been thinking about ways to save money and/or put more money into flying, and my biggest expense is rent. On a one-bedroom apartment that's mostly empty because I don't have that much stuff. I've long thought that I could do with a smaller place, but apartments don't come much smaller than this. So I've been perusing Craigslist, and there are a lot of folks in my area looking for someone to rent a room in a house they own, usually with all utilities included. It sounds like a fairly ideal situation for me. Some possible plus-sides: - save around $300-400/month compared to my current lifestyle - change of scenery: I've been in my current place for 6 years. - meet new people, possibly get to cook for them - enjoy other peoples' pets without having to clean up after them Some downsides: - usually no garage available. Would have to dig car out of snow/ice half the year and dodge snowplowings. Risk hail damage rest of year. - be bound to other people's plans if they decide to move or turn my room into nursery, etc - have to deal with other people more often - might not like their pets - have to leave my very cool apartment Some things like sharing a kitchen and bathroom don't bother me much, so long as the other people are reasonably tidy. I suppose people work it out individually how shared/divided groceries will work. What other things are there to consider? How likely is it that rent will rise? Are there standard contracts that denote that kind of thing? Does renters' insurance typically carry over to this kind of arrangement? And I know a lot of this probably very variable, but do the homeowners tend to be very selective - i.e. if I go to a viewing do I need to gussy myself up like for a job interview?
Nobody has anything to say? Has anyone had experience renting a room in someone's house, or renting out a room? Moving out into cheaper accommodations has still been on my mind, especially as I have started instrument training.
i have rented out rooms in a house i owned, but never to strangers. the important thing i would think would be to make sure you have your own bathroom. some people are just plain nasty. one thing that is nice about renting a room is that you generally get a flat rent that includes utilies, cable, internet, etc....at least around here. a garage isn't unreasonable either. my sister rents out part of her house, and the lady gets a garage spot as part of the deal. i would look for a young professional who has a nice house and doesn't really need all the space. i would also avoid renting from someone with kids unless you are prepared to have your personal space invaded. the young'uns don't tend to have many boundaries.
Sorry, never rented a room from strangers before. Would it be possible to get a place with people you know?
Maybe by now you have made your decision. If not, here are some thoughts: Make a list of things to talk openly about with your prospective landlords. If you're going to live with someone, you should be able to talk openly; disclose and expect disclosure on lifestyle issues such as: Smoking Drinking Listening to music; how often and volume Watching TV; how often and volume Social life: having friends over, overnight guests, coming home late, etc. Neatness; where you and they fall on the spectrum Shared and private space: Don't make assumptions about any space, including outdoor space. Pets: What level of responsibility are you willing to accept, if at all? Etc. If talking frankly about any of these things is uncomfortable, these might not be the people you want to live with. On the other hand, if it's a comfortable, frank, even fun conversation, maybe you and they are compatible as co-habitants. As far as a lease, yes, they should provide you with one. I don't know what the deal is in your state, but you should check with someone about that. Other questions could be, Why are you looking for a tenant? Have you ever had a tenant before? How did that work out? Do you plan to sell your house any time soon? Good luck!
^ Good ideas! I've been compiling a list similar to that as to what I'm looking for and things to keep in mind when looking at different places. I wouldn't be looking to move for a few more months, so I have enough time (too much, maybe - most tenants seem to be looking for someone to move in within the next few weeks). In a few weeks or months I'll start seeing about interviewing some folks; it'll be good to see what my options would be!
A few years ago when I lived in Houston I rented a room from a married couple I worked with. It's obviously not the same as renting from a complete stranger but it worked out well for us. For me it was cheap rent and no bills. For them it was extra cash. The thing that made it work so well though is that we were all clean people so no one was having to pick up after anyone else. They gave me a shelf in the pantry and the fridge so there was no worrying about eating each others food. We did cook meals regularly and the way that worked easily would give them a few bucks for the group dinner sometimes or I would buy the groceries and cook for them enough to keep things close enough to even. No one felt taken advantage of. After a year there I got transferred out of state so I had to move so things ended on a good note. I would say this is a great way to save money as long as you find the right person or people to live with. The other thing I would really take into consideration is how much it is going to suck to clear the snow and ice from your car half the year. You may want to park outside for a week or so and see if that is something you can really live with.
A few years ago my son used Craigslist to find a room-mate in New Jersey, never even having lived away from home before, and he had no job lined up either, and no car. A little risky, but it worked out.
Woo-hoo! I love craigslist. I had something I hadn't used in years gathering dust under the sink. This afternoon I took a picture of it, put it up on craigslist and sold it in less than an hour!
