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Updated over 4 years ago on . Most recent reply
![Matthew Defore's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/1375678/1621511748-avatar-matthewd284.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=1406x1406@0x74/cover=128x128&v=2)
Rent by the Room Questions
Who's renting by the room on their properties? I'm interested in experimenting with this on one of my condos in a college town. My questions are:
-How do you try to pair up compatible "roommates" without having fair housing law issues? I'm concerned that if I do the regular first come first serve method, I will mismatch tenants who will conflict with each other.
-How did you approach utilities? I'm considering charging rent + a flat fee each month for utilities + charge any overages to the tenant if they exceed the prepaid amount (divided evenly among the three rooms). Is this worth the headache, or should I just cover utilities outright and up the price? For those who pay utilities, did you install a nest thermostat that will allow you to monitor it remotely to ensure that they are not taking extreme advantage of the flat rate fees?
-I'm planning to lightly furnish the common areas, but not the bedrooms
-In your experience, how much easier is it to fill vacancies with quality tenants on rent by the room compared to traditional renting?
-In a college town, there are often advertisements for informal subleases and such for students who leave mid-semester or otherwise. How can I compete with the informal subletter?
-Any suggestions for extra language in the lease for rent by the room? I'm thinking of some type of fee-based incentive to enforce quiet hours after 10pm, etc.
Most Popular Reply
![Ryan Deasy's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/265933/1659103161-avatar-ryand2.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=480x480@0x0/cover=128x128&v=2)
@Matthew Defore hey Matthew, rent by the room is all that i do. i know it as well as anyone. i also write for the biggerpockets blog. my latest article was on all of the FAQs that i get. maybe it will help you:
https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rent-by-the-room-faqs
aside from that, lets connect. i am happy to talk to you and explain the ins and outs.
- Ryan Deasy
- [email protected]