Renting to a Person with Anxiety and Autism

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by TNSLPPTSO13

.......A lot of comments in personal finance forums advise a person who wants to cut housing costs in HCOL areas to rent a room in somebody's house.

Does "renting a room" imply just that....renting the room where your bed is and where you sleep...or is it to be assumed that the renter would have access to a kitchen and a bathroom(or even worse;sharing a bathroom with the rest of the house's residents?........

Each situation is going to be different. If it is a room in someone's house, they would only be doing that if they have some sort of financial need themselves. You aren't going to find very many private homes where each bedroom has it's very own private bathroom, so if it is important to have your own bathroom, you will have to hunt harder and longer to find that situation.


Probably it is most normal is to share the kitchen. You are not going to find a room that has its own kitchen, but maybe can find a room where it is OK to have a microwave and a tiny refrigerator. But again, you will have to hunt for it and have the issue settled and understood before you agree to rent.


Some rooms, you are expected to use your room and not bother the family. Other places, you would be more like a roommate and sharing cleaning and use of the main parts of the house. Make sure there is an agreement before you rent.


Some cities have "rooming houses" where you get your own room, but share a bath and the kitchen with the other roomers. None of the other roomers are the homeowner. They are all tenants like you are.



In some cities, you can find those old small strip motels that are now rented full time, so you would get a room with it's own bath, not attached to any other room, and you might be allowed to have a microwave and a small refrigerator.


Some of the large apartment complexes have studio apartments, where you would have one room that has its own bath and a kitchen counter on one wall with a sink and a cook top and a refrigerator.


You are going to have to hunt and sort until you find what suits you. Just make sure the agreement is completely clear to both sides and don't assume anything. Verify. Get it in writing.

[adjusterjack]

Originally Posted by TNSLPPTSO13

Does "renting a room" imply just that....renting the room where your bed is and where you sleep...or is it to be assumed that the renter would have access to a kitchen and a bathroom(or even worse;sharing a bathroom with the rest of the house's residents?

Well, it better not be "assumed." If you have to rent a room in somebody's house, get the details and privileges in writing.

Originally Posted by TNSLPPTSO13

It seems that, financially renting a room without kitchen access would offset a lot of the savings in rent which the new expenses of having to eat out or have food delivered...even if you are allowed to have a hot plate or a microwave oven in your room; you would depend a lot on frozen and processed foods...not good for you healthwise.

What I have read would often entail renting a bedroom and spare bathroom, with kitchen and living room privileges, though I suppose there could be a variety of arrangements.

Originally Posted by TNSLPPTSO13

I'm also extremely introverted and anxious;sharing those conditions with the OP,so it is my idea of hell to be forced into this situation due to finances and life situation.as I'm realizing the possibility of that gets closer;so I'm just thinking outloud.

Should you ever need such a place, first look for efficiency or studio apartments. Do the lodger thing only as a very last resort.