How well does it work out for renters to share an apartment or house?

Question

I always wondered about people looking to rent an apartment or room. You see so many ads in the newspaper about people looking for someone to share rent and apartment or house. How well does that work out?

If you have 2 or 3 or more strangers sharing a house, for instance. They probably each have their own bedroom, but in the common areas of the place is it acceptable to entertain guests, lounge around in your underwear, sneak to the bathroom in the middle of the night in your birthday suit, etc?

Do people in thes types of living arrangements often end up have a relationship with each other?

Any unusual benefits or problems associated with sharing?

Answer 1

The only room-mate I never wanted to strangle was my brother and that was because I grew up with him, and had the same bad habits.

The rest of them were tough to deal with, just some examples of the things I delt with; drugs, random and unwashed dirty people crashing on the couch, unlocked doors when no one was home, eating but not buying any groceries, dirty dishes, odd hours, weird and very strong body odors, socks that could walk themselves left in the bathroom, used condoms in the laundry, leaving laundry in the washer/dryer for days, not replacing the toilet paper roll, not buying toilet paper.

The truth is one person usually gets the short in the stick, usually the more responsible person. They clean up after everyone, pay the bills, and silently dream of killing their room-mates.

There were times that I had to break down and get 2 or more jobs, just so that I didn't have to have a room-mate.
If you can't handle that, don't rent something you could not afford on your own with 1 job.
If that means living back at home with Mom, or living in the ghetto section of town, it will be worth it.

Answer 2

There will definitely be issues. You will have to make sure that everything is spelled out in an agreement and signed by all parties. Keeping the house clean is usually a BIG issue as are overnight guests and their privileges. Walking around in the nude would definitely be rude and perhaps even grounds for termination of the agreement. If you want to walk around nude, make sure all the roommates are okay with it. Be considerate.

Personal experience---Men are horrible roommates for women. They are often pigs in both their hygiene and their private relationships. Living with "party animals" is fun for about 2 weeks and gets old quick. Somebody isn't going to pay the rent---regularly.

Answer 3

In a situtation let this alot of times they have problems with each other. If someone wants to move out they are ways in doing this. Music too loud, no guest at a certain time, etc, etc. When someon want to be someone else roommate sit down a create a contract that both parties will agree to.

Answer 4

I wish you could talk to both of my kids....it didn't work out for either of them. My daughter is again, going through roommate problems. When I was young, my friend and I decided to share an apartment and it almost became the end of our friendship. I moved out just in time! That was 30 years ago and we still talk.

I don't know anything about it ending up in a relationship....both of my kids have/had same sex roomies.

My suggestion is, if you can afford it, be on your own.

Answer 5

It depends on who your sharing with. In the case of sharing with people that you don't know very well, it probably would be safer if there were a few house rules to go by. That way no-one would be stepping on someone else's toes.

Answer 6

Very common for college students. Anything can happen when you share living space. Hopefully you are friends.

Once I graduated I immediately got a place of my own.

Answer 7

Here's a great article from Apartment Living on Apartments.com that helps you figure out how to decide who to live with.

Choosing/Finding a Roommate
Most of us have seen the movie “Single White Female” and the idea of searching for a roommate can be challenging, scary and stressful. The thing is, you can’t afford to live on your own, the idea of staying at home with your parents is just not something you can handle any longer or you’re in a new city and rental costs are a little more than what you’ve bargained for. What to do? The experts at Apartments.com have put together a couple ideas for you to help make this decision a little less intimidating.

Although your roommate might not instill a curfew on you, lock you out of the house if you break it or make you baby-sit, there are still some challenges with living with another person that you will need to overcome. If you’re not really a people person, or you really need a lot of privacy, or you have trouble talking through disputes, having a roommate might not be for you. Even if you live with a friend, your roommate’s problems may become yours. You’ll still need to share responsibilities (cleaning, bills, grocery shopping, etc.) and there may be the times that there’s never enough privacy. If you’re ready to face the challenges and make a commitment to developing this relationship, you’re ready to choose your roommate.

The first thing you’ll need to decide is if you’ll live with a friend or a stranger. Although the idea of living with your best pal is quite appealing, living together can break the strongest bonds. Are you ready to lose the friend you’ve known since kindergarten or have you been through enough to know that any obstacle can be worked out? The little things that bother you now about your friend (she’s always whining about her boyfriend, he can’t go out without creating loud bodily sounds, she has a problem with borrowing things and never giving them back) will only get worse when you’re with each other 24/7. Even if you have the most fantastic relationship, there are things that go on behind closed doors that you will become all too privy to. Do you really want to know?

If you’re new to a city or you don’t have a friend that is ready, or who wants to, move into a new place, finding a “stranger” may be your only option. To avoid the crazy, stalker, moocher, leech type; approach this search in the same way you would approach a new job or finding a college. Ask questions, ask a lot of questions, both to your potential new roomie and to yourself:

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
What kind of music do you like?
Do you party or do you like relaxing down time?
What kind of people does your roommate hang out with?
Do you like the same sports teams?
How do you feel about visitors?
Are you in a serious relationship? Are they?
Do you share the same ideas about cleanliness? Are you a pig? Is your roommate neat freak?
What are your hobbies? (If you play a musical instrument, for example, this information is a need to know for any potential roommate.)
Do you or your potential roommate have or want pets? And if so, what kind are they? You probably wouldn’t want to bunk with an owner of a ferret if you’re an owner of a Doberman.
Think also about what you’re looking for in a roommate. You shouldn’t settle for the first person that shows interest and, on the flip side, you also shouldn’t wait for the “perfect” match, it just might never come. Ask yourself the following questions (yes, more questions):

Do you smoke, if not, are you willing to live with someone who does?
Are you willing to live with a person of the opposite sex?
Are you willing to live with a person with an alternative lifestyle?
What is the age range you’re looking for in a roommate?
Where does your potential roommate work and is there potential for a carpool or rideshare?
Will your potential roommate have the financial means to pay rent and utilities? This one is imperative, you MUST be completely upfront with how much rent will be paid and what utilities are to be split.
Things you should EXPECT from a roommate:


Neatness
Common courtesy and respect for personal space
Safe living habits (this means the apartment key doesn’t get copied and given out to all his/her friends)
Timely payment of rent and utilities
Let’s be honest here, it would be great if the person you select to live with you becomes a friend, but often, its more of a business relationship. If the friendship doesn’t develop, don’t be disappointed. As long as your roommate meets the minimum expectations, you’re still lucky!

And just how do you go about finding this person? Post notes in local coffee shops? Place an ad in a local paper? Go door to door like an encyclopedia sales person? NO!!! There are many online resources you can easily use to peruse thousands of potential roomies. Basic membership is usually free and you’ll be able to not only see photos of candidates, but determine the answers to many of the above questions before you even meet him/her face to face! Our favorite site is Roommates.com. It’s quick, easy and free and you can access it right through Apartments.com. Click HERE to start looking now.

Even though you might think that you’ve found the perfect person on line, you should still meet him/her in person before you make any commitments. When you do begin to interview potential roomies, have a friend or family member with you, for two reasons. One - for safety. Two - to offer a second objective opinion. If you’re in a hurry to find someone, sometimes you’ll be more apt to pick the first person that crosses your doorstep. Another opinion should always be welcomed.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to listen to your gut. Your instincts are usually right so stay in tune to them.

This is an exciting time in your life, be prepared, be safe and most importantly, relax and have fun!

Answer 8

usually not so good


you get to know the poeplethat you live with then you can entertain in your undies

yes relationships happen[itsjust to easy when u dont have to leave the house] when they end usually someone moves out

Answer 9

each and every guy or woman desires to insure their very own property. Its observed as content insurance, no longer renters insurance... meaning that any one, even a guy or woman who owns their very own domicile could have such insurance as additionally they might have contents. As for making it manditory to have... what's it to you in the event that they have not got insurance? in the event that they have loss that's no longer your subject.

Answer 10

Fiscally it more than makes sense. Problem is, very few people can live together without problems. Especially when they are not bound by blood.