Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Room
Frequently Asked Questions: Rooms for Rent
What is a room rental? Will I have access to the rest of the property?
A room rental typically gives you access to your own private bedroom, with shared access to the rest of the property—such as a house, townhouse, or condo. Be sure to review the listing details or contact the poster to confirm whether the bathroom is private or shared.
Is the room furnished? Will I need to bring furniture or other items?
Check the listing to see if the room or any shared living areas are furnished. If the listing doesn’t specify, it’s best to reach out to the person renting out the room to clarify what is included and what you’ll need to bring.
Why don’t some listings show gender or roommate information?
Gender and roommate preferences are optional fields on iROOMit. If that information isn’t provided, it means the poster chose not to include it.
Why does a listing say they prefer a specific gender? Is that allowed?
In shared living situations, Fair Housing regulations generally allow for gender preferences. This is common in co-living or roommate arrangements.
How can I avoid scams and fraud when searching for rooms?
To protect yourself during your search, be sure to follow iROOMit’s Safety Tips for identifying and avoiding rental scams. Always verify listings, avoid paying in cash or via wire transfer, and meet your potential housemates before committing.
How does the "Room" filter work on iROOMit? Can I use it with other filters?
The "Room" filter helps you find listings that are specifically renting out individual rooms. You can still use other filters like the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, which refer to the overall property. For example, you can search for a private room for rent in a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home.
I see a listing for a 4-bedroom house, but it says "Room for rent." What does that mean?
This means the listing is offering one private bedroom within a 4-bedroom house. Other bedrooms may be rented out to additional roommates.
Why don’t room listings appear in my saved search?
Room listings are a unique category on iROOMit, and your saved search may not automatically include them. Try updating or refreshing your search filters to make sure room listings appear.
Why is the address hidden in some listings? When will I know the actual location?
Sometimes, listers choose to hide the exact address for privacy. You’ll be provided with the full location during the tour or once you’ve progressed in the evaluation process.