Additional Considerations Before You Start Homesharing

In Thinking About Space, we discussed furnishings, storage, parking, sharing kitchens and bathrooms. There are a few other items to think about before you start homesharing.

Laundry. Will you be sharing the laundry facilities in the home, or will the home seeker be expected to do their laundry at the laundromat? If you are sharing the laundry in the home, are there any personal requirements that need to be met? For example, what type of laundry detergent is acceptable? What hours will someone be allowed to run the washer/dryer? Is there any limit on the number of loads someone can do, or are there specific days assigned to each party?

Private Spaces. Everyone deserves their own private space in a home. It is important to clearly define what spaces are shared and which are private. There’s a lot you can do to improve privacy–both inside and outside the home, which we’ve covered at length in 10 Tips for Maintaining Privacy While Sharing a Home.

Pets. Providers should know in advance what kind of pets they’d accept into their home and which they would not. Have a plan for introducing pets to each other. Seeker’s with pets should be upfront about their pet(s) and preferences for homes with other pets (or without them).

Visitors/Guests. The Provider has the final say in who they will allow into their home, including Seeker guests. Smart Share recommends starting out more restrictive, until you get to know each other better, then gradually allowing for guests as you feel comfortable with one another. Over time, you may decide to allow for longer visiting hours, too.

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