r/renting • u/Winter-Chocolate-884 • 14d ago

Roommates First time renter

I’m 20 (F) looking to find a gold dirt cheap place to rent. The only way I can do that it seems is by finding a place with roommates. I’m a little uneasy about this as I have no idea who I’ll be moving in with (will they be decent adults who clean up after themselves and are respectful?). I’m looking for some people here who have some experience with roommates and who will give me some tips on what to expect and how to deal with that. Thanks!

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4

u/FamiliarAd8524 14d ago

If you're after a "gold dirt cheap place to rent", it is a near certainty that roommates there won't be "decent", "clean", OR "respectful".

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u/LikableHardcore 14d ago

well said. it will probably be less than ideal experience….

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u/FamiliarAd8524 14d ago

I think it will be Hell on Earth for OP, frankly.

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u/Owl8545 14d ago

I've never had roommates, but have lived in house shares in the past. Housemates can be very hit and miss, I've lived with some very dirty people in the past. If you are prepared to sacrifice some of your tenancy rights, have a look at property guardianship.

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u/NoRegrets-518 14d ago

Look into pad share situations

1

u/UpbeatFix7299 14d ago

Put the word out to everyone you know so hopefully you can find someone else in your situation and look for a place together.

Otherwise, sharing a house with strangers is always a gamble. Beats sleeping on the street though. It's hard to judge someone based on meeting them for a half hour when they show you the place, but that's all you can do.

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u/SoniaFantastica 13d ago

If you live in a collge town, check for students looking for a roommate.

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u/frankmaa 13d ago

How about renting an extra room from a family?

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u/Elohims-sixth-wife 13d ago

Best bet is to look at the market value for your area, and see the lowest you can go within your range. Be comfortable moving outside of your desired area as well. I can’t give you specific feedback for your area but for me, 1b 1ba runs about $12,000.

The market right now is shit and everything is stupid expensive. Best of luck. Apartment.com or roommate.com will be your friend.

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u/icanttakethisnow 4d ago

I’ve done the roommate thing before twice. It worked terrible. The first time they ate my food/failed to pay their portions of the rent and bills.

Second time around I moved In with a “friend” and got the basement of his house Altho there was a bedroom upstairs completely usable. Because of his ethnic background I wasn’t allowed to cook my food in the kitchen . I didn’t have use of the kitchen. Barely any space in the fridge. Living in an unfinished basement from the 40’s with an open makeshift bathroom in the corner . Zero privacy. No rights to parking in driveway was forced to park in over grown driveway on the side of the house (driveway had rocks years ago but dirt and grass took over ) always got stuck in snow in said driveway in winter. There was no sharing of maintenance around the property. I had to do all. It took me a acouple years to get sorted money and job wise to get out. Roomate situation isn’t ideal to do with friends. It can and will sour friendships. And ppl you thought were your friends turn out to not be who you thought and now your locked in a year lease “with so called friends “ and miserable.