How to share/secur common (food) items in a house hack situation?

Question

Hi BP community,

My friend is doing a house hack in southern California and was wondering if there was a good way to share/secure common items that could be shareable. For example, there is a Keurig coffee machine - should they share the cost of the coffee pods via an honor system jar? (e.g., each tenant promises to put $0.50 in the jar each time they use a cup).

Is there some sort of small "vending machine" that would accept quarters and drop out the Keurig cups?  Or should some easily common shareable stuff not be shared at all? I can easily see people abusing an honor system.  Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Bruce P. · Answer

Thank you @Frank Hinck Account Closed - you've given me some great ideas!

Account Closed · Answer

Roommates will never all be honorable.  It's just way easier to avoid problems by just not putting into place any type of honor-based situations.

Frank Hinck · Answer

@Bruce Park

Each tenant gets 2 kitchen cabinets, you can put small locking hardware on it.    Fridge is more difficult.   Pots and pans are common.

Chris B. · Answer

I'd not share any food at all.  Leads to problems.  I buy - you consume.  You buy food - I don't like it and you consume.  Have separate refrigerator space for everyone even if it means getting more than one.  If people have separate bathrooms, they cover their own expenses.  If a bathroom is shared, then share the cost of cleaning and supplies.  Dishes can be shared if everyone is OK.  Some people have different cleanliness standards and if its an issue, then get an old set of pots and pans from Goodwill and people need their own dishes, cups, and utensils.  Its not asking too much for others to purchase their own coffee for the machine.  As mentioned previously, if people get along well, there tend to be a lot less problems but I have rarely seen this when renting out to random people.

Bruce P. · Answer

Thank you @Mason Hickman, that's a great thought.

Mason Hickman · Answer

@Bruce Park

A house hack is basically just a roommate situation. I wouldn’t over-complicate a roommate situation and typically if they are normal human beings, they will be ok sharing responsibilities for shared items like cleaning products, toilet paper, etc and you can split those costs like adults. If they aren’t on board with sharing common expenses, start looking for a new roommate. K cups seem less necessary to be shared and people could buy their own, but that’s just me.