Renting with Friends

Forming a Group Household

Many students who transition from university residence halls, new transfer students, and graduate students like the idea of living with a group of similar-minded students in a larger place. This can save you costs and/or get you into a nicer home or neighborhood than you can't afford on your own when splitting the rent. Plus, it can be fun to live with your friends!

If you are looking for people to join you in your housing search, check out the Roommates page. Create an account in order to search for people who may be compatible. Filter by educational program, behavioral preferences, and timeline to find the perfect match for you!

Challenges to Searching With a Group

Most rentals within Berkeley and the surrounding communities are two-bedroom or smaller apartments, so finding a larger place may be challenging. If you are seeking housing with a larger group, you may end up needing to break the group up into smaller households if you are not able to find a place to accommodate all of you.

It also may be difficult for your group to coordinate a time to search for apartments together. As the rental search process in Berkeley typically happens during the summer, your group may need to coordinate travel to tour potential apartments. If you want to look with only part of the group in town, be sure you have everyone's contact information and tenant resume, authorizing the landlord to run credit reports.

Shared Utility Bills

You will also need to discuss how you will pay the utility bills. Whose name goes on the cable, internet, gas, electric, and water bills? Who is responsible for paying them? Utility companies will not split the bill for each roommate, so ensure you all agree how the bill will be divided and who is responsible for sending the payment. It is important to have these discussions ahead of time.

Cleanliness

It is important that you and your roommates have a common understanding of levels of cleanliness. If you previously lived in University housing where meals were provided and custodians cleaned the common areas, it can be something of a shock to see the dishes piling up and floor needing vacuuming. Ensure you and your roommates are aware of each others responsibilities as far as household chores to avoid future disagreements.

Other Considerations

If one tenant has poor credit or does not have a guarantor, this can hinder the housing search for everyone else. Be sure everyone in your group has good credit or someone who is willing to cosign, particularly for undergraduates. In addition, be sure you have a backup plan if one of the roommates isn't able to pay their share of the rent. You could be evicted if the entire rent isn’t paid on time. Have a plan in case of an emergency if someone can’t pay their share.