Sharing a small 1-BR apartment - tips wanted

[Dport7674]

If they don't know how much rent is, you could charge them 75% and tell them it's 50%. Sounds a little shady but if it's still a good deal for them and you're sleeping in the living room...What they don't know won't hurt them.

I wouldn't want to pay half the cable bill if I didn't have cable in my room. You can be ghetto and buy a splitter and 15 feet of cable and run it into their room yourself.

As far as the internet password, I would expect to use the wireless router if I'm asked to pay for half. But as far as I know, if they have their own laptop/pc they shouldn't be able to get into your info. If they don't have their own computer they shouldn't expect to use yours.

[KacieNY]

I think 50% rent and then their half of cable (presuming you get another box in their room) and half the internet also.
They wouldn't ever be able to see what you are browsing online unless they were using your laptop/pc, so don't worry about that

I think whoever shares with you would be getting a great deal.

[citychik]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

Rent Stabilization has VERY strict legal limits on what you can charge a roommate.

Hmm, just looked that up on the Rent Guidelines website and it seems you are right. That is a new development (In fact they call it "New Limits on Charging Roommates"). I have not shared my apartment in 12 years, and back then they had no limits.

Originally Posted by Kefir King

I must say, having a roommate with only a single bedroom is going to be a CHALLENGE.

Oh, not really. I've had so many roommates (been here a long time). Of course, it takes a certain kind of person who would be amenable with this kind of cozy situation. It can't be someone who's a homebody and wants to be here all the time. Best for people who have a relationship and spend lots of time at their boyfriend's place, or who work super long hours and just need a place to crash. I've also had part-time roommates who lived somewhere else and just wanted a place in the city during the week - can't charge as much for that, though.

I once had a roommate who paid rent for the bedroom, put in a phone line, and never stayed here once. She did it basically because she didn't want her strict Catholic parents to know she was actually living with her boyfriend. That was a sweet deal, lasted about seven months, til they got engaged and she became brave enough to tell her folks she was "moving in" with him.

[Kefir King]

I once had a roommate who paid rent for the bedroom, put in a phone line, and never stayed here once.

Can I have her phone number?