First, we recommend that you develop basic rules before you check in so that everyone knows what to expect from them. We also recommend writing these rules so that there is no "he said, she said." Writing it out – who pays what, how much or how much to pay – means that the bill is up, it’s not an embarrassing conversation.


How much rent do you pay per person?


The first step in business is to decide how much rent each person should pay. How you distribute the rent between roommates fairly will depend on the house, the facilities and who is operating it. If you build a house with a friend, you can choose to separate the house in a different way and make it even. But most shared houses are built or operated by one person. An easier way is to give each room a specific amount based on the price of the area. For example, a bedroom with an ensuite and walk-in robes should be more expensive than a bedroom with a shared bathroom.


No matter where I rent out, the bigger room rent is higher, even if it's only $10, plus a master bedroom with a bigger robes and a suite, the rent for a week is usually equivalent to 50 USD or more. Other benefits, such as the location of the garage, should also be reflected in the rent of the room, especially if there is only one location.


You need to figure out who owns what and how much it costs. However, in some cases this may be a uniform split: one gets the normal bedroom and garage, and the other gets the owner with the suite.


Some simple ways to decide how to share rent among roommates include:


Write down how much you think each room is worth


Let each roommate remember the price of each room to help you start talking. If the prices match, then this is a very simple process; if it doesn't match, then at least you have some ideas for the next negotiation.


Sublet according to the characteristics of the bedroom


The ensuite and walk-in closet add luxury and value to the room. Roommates should consider these additional features when discussing how much a room should cost. Balcony and parking spaces should also be considered.


Calculate rent by room size


It is difficult to refute data. Therefore, for those who are good at mathematics, calculating the cost per square meter may be an attractive option. This method will help to share the house with Grandma's apartment or less traditional floor plan. However, the calculation of rent based on the size of the bedroom does not take into account additional amenities and does not take into account access to other key areas of the house.


Consider charging more for couples


Although a couple share a bedroom, they are using the public areas of the house, such as the kitchen and living room, which is important when sharing rent. In general, it is very attractive to have a couple living in a shared house, as this usually makes the rent cheaper. Experts suggest that a room will charge 15% to 40% more.


How much does each person pay to pay?


Even splits are usually the best approach when it comes to splitting bills, as tracking individual usage can be difficult. Before cohabitation, you should talk to potential roommates about their habits. This way you can be sure that you live with like-minded people and that you are consistent in terms of electricity and payments.


If you end up with a situation where a person is constantly using electricity, you need to reach an agreement. For example, I live with someone who wants to turn on an air conditioner. In order to facilitate them, they paid extra money.


Although most people have a cell phone call and do not need a landline, fixed Internet charges can be shared. You can get cheap unlimited plans and cost sharing. Or everyone has their own portable internet.


Sharing food costs between roommates


Food costs can also be shared. The best arrangement will depend on the preferences of your roommate. In some shared families, this method works well when everyone pays for food and shopping. Or you can have a kitten to pay for public expenses, such as milk and bread, but everything else is bought by everyone. If you live with someone who has a very strict diet, a diet or a passion for money, then everyone can do it themselves without having to pay for it.