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Renting to a family with a newborn?

Right now, my boyfriend and I have a really good setup, for housing during college. When my boyfriend's sister went off to college, their father bought a house and they filled the extra rooms with room mates. Now we're moving in and because it's my boyfriend's father, we get very inexpensive housing. With us and his sister and her boyfriend, two out of the four rooms are taken and pid for, but that means there are still two rooms that we need to rent out. ANother thing is that there was a house fire in May, and it is still under renovations, and not many people will wait for a house that si not finished yet.

One of our offers is from a couple with a newborn. They're friends with my boyfriend's sister, and they have savings and steady jobs so they will be able to pay rent for two rooms, plus any incidentals. They have even offered to pay more than the offered rate. They have their own home, so it's not a big deal if we decide against them moving in, but I'm stuck.

It would be great to have both rooms rented out to responsible people, we are a generally quiet household, and the past room mates have caused lots of problems by throwing parties and bringing drugs in to the house, which we do not like. This couple is also willing to wait until the house is renovated to move in, something that a lot of potential room mates are not willing to do.

But I am worried about the effects of having a newborn around will be. On one hand, I think it will be a good lesson for us, and we can actually see the real facts of raising children and get some experience for down the road. On the other hand, I know babies will cry a lot, and I'm not sure how it would work in a household. I'll be going to college, and I can just picture the night before a big exam, the baby being awake and crying the whole night.

Am I overreacting? Is it worth renting these rooms out to a new family?

1 Answer

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  • 1 decade ago
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    First you have to consider their perspective. They love their baby but I am sure they understand your perspective. That's why they are so willing to be flexible. And if they are being that flexible that means not only do they really want the rooms but they probably need them. In addition there is a law that says you can't discriminate against people because of their family stats. Of course I think that's only if your the landlord renting.

    I understand your fear about the baby crying, but that's kind of a myth. Yes babies cry and yes sometimes its hard to get them to stop. However I have lived with 3 babies from birth to 2 and if they are healthy and cared for, the parent knows how to get them to stop crying. It sounds like they are very considerate people. If the baby starts crying and your doing a midterm, or sleeping you can just ask them to take the baby for a car ride, over to their parents etc. until they baby is calmer.

    One last thing. If you let them move in you will fine that the baby becomes like "our baby". You will be watching her/him learn to walk, talk and generally grow. Its so easy to fall in love with a baby and you will fine that it can be very rewarding to have one in your home. Especial when you have the parents to do the hard part (Dippers, feeding etc). My recommendation is that you use what you know to decide. They are responsible people with well paying jobs who are willing to pay for both of your rooms and extra incidentals. It sounds to me like you caught a lucky break.

    If you are worried how it all will turn out draw up a roommate contract. This site has a form or you can just google it. http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/roommate-agreeme...

    Source(s): I have lived with a number of babies that aren't related to me. From new born to two years olds. http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/roommate-agreeme...
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