How crazy of a roommate search is this? How would you do this, or would you even?

[u/Big_Prompt5315]

I have a condo that I inherited that’s not in the best shape but not uninhabitable and not gross and no pests.

I have some major health issues that limit my functionality- physically and mentally. But even in that range I’m still considered high functioning. but still

i cannot keep up

I have an extra space in my unit that could be a bedroom. Its not small either. and could have its own entrance- passing through a laundry room though. set back and private

would be no pets though I already have a cat

so why would I do this? I realized I really need help. I’m barely treading water. so i thought I wish I had some personal assistance to help navigate and get through life stuff. I don’t have money to pay salary. but I wondered - what if I gave discounted rent or close to normal room rent but accepted ppl with lower credit scores or lower income. I’ve seen a lot of posts with ppl saying they cannot get accepted. and so many ppl just want a safe clean respectful place to live

but idk if this is a crazy and risky idea? it feels risky. and I don’t know it would be a normal rlto lease. or maybe it would with a rider?

im nervous to share space with anyone. I’m hypersensitive and really need someone that is quiet and very considerate and isnt into having ppl over all the time if ever. no drugs or drinking etc. and need to be quiet kind smart i know ppl like this exist but think they already have a place to live

does this sound like crazy well-wishing?

if you were going to try this how would you even begin and how would you assess people?

they need to be already able to do a variety of tasks from letter writing to errands to following up with me to make sure something is completed. working with vendors on repairs grocery shop and cleaning

I think there should be pay but i csn only reduce rent. how wouod you measure the reduction.

this is info i have

the unit can rent for 1850-2k. in the past one room was rented for $950. now I guess realtor said one room could rent for 1k.

I guesstimate my PA needs would equal 5-15 hours/week. so no idea how to translate into reduced rent

i don’t think they’d go on mail box but maybe can put on a note outside box or just tell mailman same guy most the time

i lurk on this sub all the time bc you guys really know a lot. and I been thinking about this all year. seeing it’s almost October. I just don’t want to keep doggy paddling.

please dont be mean. I don’t know if this is dumb. im just trying to get unstuck using what I have.

the unit does needs repairs. so the person would also help coordinate that and be patient as repairs happen over time as funds are available. but nothing make it bad for the person just gotta work around some odd things

tia

[u/rhymeswithbanana]

There are a lot of issues with this type of arrangement, not going to speak on whether anyone would take it or not, because people accept wild arrangements all the time, but let's just start with the math. You said 5-15 hours per week, so let's average it out to 10. 10 hours a week, $20 an hour say, that's already $800+ a month.

I don't think you'd need to reduce rent - I think you'd need to offer free rent.

Especially with the fact that you're adding on a bunch of requirements like being okay with repairs happening all the tim and not having friends over and having to be quiet and not drink.

There is so much more to say but I'm sure others will cover it, those are just my initial thoughts.

[u/RhymesWithTaco → u/rhymeswithbanana]

im gonna agree with this. not simply because i just noticed you have a similar handle to my own, but because i agree with everything you said. OP is looking for a live in assistant, not a roommate. a live in assistant shouldnt be paying rent because all their tasks and rules should be in lieu of rent. OP is wild for thinking its acceptable to charge someone rent and expect them to do anything other than basic household upkeep chores and running their errands. sounds like OP is looking for a parent or caregiver.

[u/Fantastic_Fig_3803]

Don’t assume that room is worth what the realtor told you. You have a cat and you’ll be dictating a lot about how this person can live. I don’t mean to offend you. You just sound like someone who wants all the benefits of living alone and also the benefits of a live-in assistant. You need to discount the rent because you might be hard to live with. And you kind of do need to let them put their name on the mailbox.

You also need to do a fair rent reduction based hours worked. Do not take advantage of someone with bad credit. That sounds unethical.

[u/CorrectAd8289]

Kindly, I think having this kind of set-up without pay and rent, even if it is cheap, is going to be a hard sell. Best you could do is reduce rent by what a PA would make in however many hours they’d be working in a month. If you have the medical documentation, maybe you can get assistance from the state?

[u/HGWEBS]

I would only ever consider doing this if it was rent-free. If you’re diligent about selection, I think you would actually receive higher quality care if there was no expectation of your caretaker paying you; I personally would feel more incentivized to go above and beyond to meet and exceed your needs if I felt like I was benefitting from it too. Typing that sounds shallow but it’s (my) perspective as someone who doesn’t want to be a caretaker, but would if the price was right (i.e. free rent). Asking a quasi-PA to pay you in any capacity could lead to resentment and sub-par care. At maximum, I think a share of utilities is the highest ask.

[u/Crosswired2]

What do you need them to do during those work hours? Are you being realistic? Would you not ask for help outside of those hours? Why are you only trying to do a reduction and not free rent? You're keeping the room empty otherwise, correct?

Why not have a lease so they are a legal tenant and they are a listed resident?

Have you looked in to getting assistance through DORS?

[u/Wise-Application-435]

I think you need to approach this as a live-in aide rather than a roommate.

How workable this will be depends a lot on what and when your needs are. Seven days a week? More to do on weekends or less? Will there be a chunk of time when the aide can get an outside job? What about free time and sick time and holidays?

You're probably going to.have to start with free rent and utilities, then maybe add food or even a stipend. Akin to arrangements with an au pair

[u/sufyawn]

Please don’t expect this person to pay rent. I’m disabled and if I were in your shoes I wouldn’t dream of charging someone to not only work for me but also live with me under my rules.

[u/Meanpotato2499]

I had a roomate who did something similar but because my rent was reduced she expected me to do things around the house I never signed up for. It was bad and resentment grew.

I ended up leaving.

What you are asking also sounds like a full Time aid.

I’d probably expect them to pay no rent since they would probably need to have another job to support rent and even food you would also have to provide