
By Georgiana Damas | Uncategorized | 12 Sep 2017
By Georgiana Damas | Uncategorized | 12 Sep 2017
We all know someone that lives with at least one person. Even you might have considered it. But for some reason, you are not quite sure it would be a positive experience. After all, not everyone is willing to let outsiders come into the privacy of their home. Here are some aspects to consider before making up your mind.
What is a room-share?
By definition, a room-share is an accommodation shared by different people. Therefore, they live on the same property and share facilities as well as utilities. There are different types of room-share.
It could be an apartment or house share, meaning a group of tenants come together to rent a place to live in. Thus, each person is responsible of the place and the full rent payment.
It could also be a room for rent, which means that a landlord rents one bedroom of the accommodation to specific individual(s), while allowing access to common areas of the housing. In that case, the tenant(s) will be held responsible for the rent of their bedroom only.
What can you expect from sharing an apartment?
The best thing to do is to simply have a talk with your roommates as soon as you or they move in. That way, you can establish standard rules from the beginning, and there will be no misunderstanding. It will ensure a good ambiance at home as you do not want any issues.
As mentioned, you will have to share basic amenities and define the common areas. That would include the kitchen, bathroom and living room. Of course, you will have your privacy since only you can access your bedroom.
However, not everyone thinks the same way, and you should understand that communication is essential to avoid crisis situations. Here are some examples of things you should talk about:
Besides, I would recommend getting to know the people you plan on living with, to avoid unpleasant surprises. You do not want to discover afterward that your roommates play drums every day late at night, or that their exotic pet is a tarantula. Therefore, make sure you are all on the same page when it comes to the house rules and your lifestyles.
What are some benefits and drawbacks?
When sharing an apartment, the benefits are various.
Some drawbacks of room-sharing include:
How to find roommates?
Usually, people tend to know already the individuals they wish to move in with. Nevertheless, it is also usual to do it with complete strangers. Indeed, living with a relative or a friend might seem like a good idea, but it often happens that things turn badly because, once again, not everyone thinks and behaves the same way. Moreover, it is more complicated to hurt a friend’s feelings by telling them they have made a mistake than to say it to a stranger.
If you wish to live with people you do not know; there are many popular platforms online that might help you do such thing. However, you must pay attention to the ads you see. People might have posted some ads in a hurry, which might result in a bad surprise for you at the end, while other ads are complete scams.
A good option would be contacting a Real Estate company that deals with room-sharing. That way, they will provide you directly with all the information you need. You can save both time and energy all at once. Indeed, agents will accompany you with everything you should know such as house rules, who your roommates will be. They would help you schedule appointments, make visits and handle the paperwork for you. Also, the agency will play the role of a mediator in case of a problem. Thus, choosing this alternative is a reliable and efficient solution.
Just remember, it is necessary to be careful with whom you choose to share a space with, since your decision will also have legal implications. Finally, choosing to live with someone else is a big step, but it can also be a fantastic adventure if everyone gets along well.
So, will you opt for an apartment share?