When you’re looking for a new roommate situation, one thing you may not have considered is living with a homeowner. But there are some real advantages.
Here are the key benefits.
Cheaper rent
This might not seem obvious, but it’s a fact that rooms advertised by resident landlords are, on average, cheaper than those advertised by real estate agents or brokers. They’re also cheaper than rooms advertised by the existing roommates.
OK, but how much cheaper?
The average saving made by renting a room from a homeowner across the US is $117 a month - that’s $1,404 a year.
In New York, it’s $274 a month - a huge $3,288 per year. That’s a lot of money left in your pocket.
Not only that, you’re more likely to have utilities included in your rent if you live with the homeowner, saving you even more.
More choice
If you’re not considering rooms advertised by the homeowner, you’re missing out on roughly a third of all rooms available. Pretty simple really.
Get to know a new city or neighborhood
When you're new to an area it's not always easy to find exactly what you want long-term straight away. Living with a homeowner is generally more flexible, so it gives you the chance to try a neighborhood before you commit to a long lease. As this type of situation is more flexible, it gives you a chance to work out what you really want.
Living in a ‘home’
This won’t always be the case, as we all know it’s people who make you feel at home more than anything else. But, that said, there are some elements of living with a resident landlord that might just leave you feeling more settled.
First up, it’s already their home, so it might have more of a welcoming feel than a rented apartment. Also, if anything breaks, it’s likely you’ll get it fixed more quickly as the landlord is also affected!
You may also find you develop a deeper connection to your neighborhood through them, as they’re likely to be putting down roots more than the typical renter, who might expect to move on in a year or two.
Things to consider
There are, of course, a few things you’ll need to think about. Your living situation will be less formal, more like a sublet, so you won’t necessarily have the same rights as you do when you sign a lease for a rental. On the other hand, you’re less likely to pay as much in fees or need to commit to a long lease.
Ultimately there can be some great benefits to living with a homeowner, so it’s worth considering. Either way, it's good to know what your options are.
As always, make sure you take the time to find the right setup (and the right person to share with) to suit you.