Legalities of renting a room in a house

[MDEMT280]

Okay, so I guess I'm not leaving just yet. I mean, if I didn't have RP, what the heck else would I be doing on a lazy hot Saturday afternoon? Running around surrounded by nearly nekkid wimmins on the beach?! Surely you jest! :D

This may be more of a civil law question anyway, but... I'm looking at moving closer to work, but all the apartments nearby are $800+ a month (and I'm living on meager government employee wages). There are some individuals renting out rooms in houses, however. I've never rented from an individual, so I'm a bit fuzzy about the process.

Aside from making sure I don't move in with Hannibal Lecter, is there anything special I need to do? Is it my responsibility to verify that the owner is within the law by renting the room, etc.?

[Plazoo]

I did this a long time ago and it sucked!! Everyone else in my house was really weird and so off kilter I'd only vaguely call them human beings.

Anyway, as far as my experience goes, it's pretty much the same as renting a regular place. You sign a rental agreement and that's pretty much it. It's not your responsibility to ensure the owner is legally renting, however, if he/she is not and caught you may be out on the street with little notice.

Anyway, I advise against it but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[MDEMT280]

Thanks.

It's not entirely my first choice, by any means, but for half the cost of a "regular" apartment in the area... well, you can see my situation.

And of course, a pal of mine just got a job in the same general area, and went out and got himself a place. Didn't even think of mentioning it to me until after the fact. :rolleyes:

[mcsap]

Would you be the only tenant or is this a rooming house ?

What are the restrictions ? ( there always are)

Private entrance ?

Private bath ?

Kitchen privileges ?

Living room privileges ?

Laundry privileges ?

Are you responsible to do any kind of housework and or can you do any such work ( mow or shovel) to earn a rent reduction ?

Is your room lockable ?

Is it furnished ?

Can you have a microwave ?

Is CATV included ?

Internet connection avail ?

Do you have off street parking ?

[highwayman]

Okay, so I guess I'm not leaving just yet. I mean, if I didn't have RP, what the heck else would I be doing on a lazy hot Saturday afternoon? Running around surrounded by nearly nekkid wimmins on the beach?! Surely you jest! :D

This may be more of a civil law question anyway, but... I'm looking at moving closer to work, but all the apartments nearby are $800+ a month (and I'm living on meager government employee wages). There are some individuals renting out rooms in houses, however. I've never rented from an individual, so I'm a bit fuzzy about the process.

Aside from making sure I don't move in with Hannibal Lecter, is there anything special I need to do? Is it my responsibility to verify that the owner is within the law by renting the room, etc.?

The thing about renting in someone else's home is not the legal part but that you have to get along with pretty much everyone who lives there, and if you don't, you are going to have a very short stay.

Everyone I know who rented a room inside a house ended up leaving in bad terms.
Somewhere along the line things get sticky about the refrigerator or the shower or the backdoor, the pool, the mail, or they ask you to do favors for them etc etc etc.

Just save your money while you are in there and go out to get your own place.