Free spare-room starter kit
A calm, practical plan before you list.
Work through these pages at your own pace. Write down your decisions, verify local requirements, and consult a qualified professional when your situation calls for it.
1 · Pricing worksheet
Estimate a fair monthly rent
- Collect 5–10 comparable room listings in your neighborhood.
- Note whether utilities, parking, furnishings, laundry, or a private bathroom are included.
- Adjust for room size, privacy, condition, location, and house rules.
- Estimate monthly costs and a reasonable reserve for repairs or vacancy.
Comparable range: $________ to $________
Utilities or services included: ______________________________
My proposed monthly rent: $________
Deposit and move-in costs to verify under local law: __________________
2 · Screening checklist
Use one consistent process
- Write objective, lawful qualification criteria before accepting applications.
- Give every applicant the same information and use the same steps.
- Obtain required written consent before ordering screening reports.
- Verify identity, income, rental history, and references through appropriate sources.
- Understand applicable fair-housing, privacy, adverse-action, and local screening rules.
- Keep applicant information secure and retain only what you need.
3 · Agreement guide
Put expectations in writing
- Names of all parties and a clear description of the rented space.
- Rent amount, due date, accepted payment methods, and lawful late-fee terms.
- Deposit terms, utilities, parking, storage, furnishings, and shared-area access.
- House rules for guests, noise, smoking, pets, cleaning, and overnight visitors.
- Maintenance reporting, entry, notice, renewal, and move-out procedures.
- State and local disclosures or language reviewed by a qualified local professional.
4 · Move-in conversation
Talk about everyday life before saying yes
- What does a normal weekday and weekend look like for each person?
- How will kitchen, laundry, bathroom, parking, storage, and outdoor spaces be shared?
- What are the expectations around guests, quiet hours, work-from-home, and privacy?
- How will cleaning supplies, chores, utilities, and household purchases be handled?
- What communication style works when something feels uncomfortable?
- What would make either person decide the arrangement is no longer a good fit?
My non-negotiables: __________________________________________
Areas where I can be flexible: __________________________________
Questions I still need answered: _________________________________
This kit is general educational information, not legal, tax, insurance, financial, or real-estate advice. Requirements vary. Verify the rules that apply to your property and arrangement.