Any ideas on how to pick a border?

I have never done this, so all I can say is as long as it is legal (I’m not up to date on housing/renting laws) please, please, please do a full background check on anyone you are seriously considering. This isn’t just about renting a room or apartment, this person will have access to your family.

Didn’t borders go out of style awhile ago? I thought the decorating trend these days tended towards full wallpaper?

Um, don’t you mean a boarder?

Cause if not, I’d go for the south border if you like warm weather, or the north if you like the cold.

I’m guessing it’s not a legal apartment? Forgive me if it is. I don’t think you can do a background check on someone without their written consent and that may raise red flags for you.
Also many of the people who are going to rent from you will be average and maybe have less than stellar credit ratings etc., so you need to be realistic if they are working and have cash.
Good Luck

Supermouse, if I were you I’d be asking myself if this was something I really needed to do. It could go very right and your boarder could be a fantastic person. But there are so, so, so many ways letting a stranger into your home and around your family could go incredibly wrong…
If @SeventhSense is right and you can’t do a background check on someone without their permission, someone who won’t give you permission should be out the door pronto.

I think that like most things, it’s best if you go with someone you know, or a friend of a friend who can be vouched for….is that a possibility? Maybe just start asking around?

Supermouse, a thing you might want to do is look in local rent ads – you might find some rooms for rent. I have our local want/classified ads, in the rental sections, it looks like $400 is the median amount, but I see one as low as $300 – no laundry on site, though.

You might find someone with a few credit dings, but ask for references, no family – preferably at least one work contact (checking for reliability). I try to find references that are not just friends – they will say a lot of things – actually, some will say things that the potential renter has no idea they will spill the beans about! I ask if I can contact the last landlord – truthfully, that is to cull out some of the bad ones, quickly. No one wants to the new landlord to talk to the prior landlord. You do want to be able to run a background check – make sure you decide ahead of time if you are doing state or national (or both). Put that one the application. Also, there are sites where you can see if someone is a sex offender.

Decide what the person will be able to use. What utilities? Will they have access to cable, computer services (or can they have it installed? – (do not put it in your name!), the kitchen? Time restrictions? If they want to use the kitchen, is there a certain time of night where it’s a no-go? No cooking after 11p? Consider the noise it opens up to your house and your children.

References and backgrounds are going to be very, very important! OH…deposits! Open a new account, just to handle these transactions – do not mix with your regular household account – pay yourself, after the deposit clears! Written lease, even if it is month-to-month. Length of notice, build that into the lease – cover all bases!

I agree with nikipedia. It is probably best to start by asking people you know. With the economy the way it is, chances are good that someone you know knows of someone who could use a low cost place to live and would be able to help pay the bills. By asking people you know, at least you can get personal references.

If going with a stranger, I would agree that requesting personal references, job history and even a background check are a good idea. Make it clear that you are interested in protecting your family first and if they have a problem with any of the above items, then they are not the right person to live with you.

You also want to do as cak suggests and get a solid lease that will protect your rights in case things go wrong. Don’t spend their security deposit and you should also check into the law about the type of account you can put the deposit in because you may not be allowed to earn interest off of it!

If there were separate facilities and entrance, I’d say go ahead. In this case, sounds like a bad idea. Sorry.

I agree with what several users have said so far so I won’t repeat their comments. I will just add what I believe hasn’t been said.

I want to add that you should get a background check. They should consent to one and if they won’t then you probably don’t want them around your kids.

Also put EVERYTHING in writing. What is and what is not expected of the tenant. And what they can and cannot do/use. Also what their responsibilities are (most likely are not) regarding your children (i.e. you do not have permission to care for my children). Make them read it and talk it over with you before agreeing to rent to them. Don’t forget to include that drug use is not okay in the house. No parties. Etc… Everything.

Having said that here are a lot of good people out there. You may want to start by asking for referrals or putting up ads in the local senior center or other similar location.

I suggest you try to get an elderly boarder who has a regular social security check coming in monthly. You will have a lot less trouble. We have two elderly relatives renting a room at my son’s house, and it is a very good deal.

@YARNLADY @supermouse Okay, so if you’re gonna do it anyway, I second what yarnlady says, plus: First and last month, plus two month security deposit, plus damage deposit of two months… better just make it one year’s rent up front….