Which rental should I go for?

[Crash123]

I've been lucky enough to secure 2 offers to rent rooms in a house, while I continue to look for a place to buy. I have to decide by tomorrow and I am not sure which to pick. They are both in good neighbourhoods that I like and have comparable costs. They are also both flats owned by the other resident, which I like as the contracts are more flexible.

Room 1 is a bit smaller and more cramped, and has less space for storage. I previously owned a house, so I have a bit more stuff than your average renter. There's no real "chill in your room" space, which is a big downside for me as an introvert. It comes fully furnished. There are 2 other flatmates, but one is away most weekends. They both seemed really nice - not people I'd be close with but people I could live with. The kitchen is small but nice, which is important as I like to cook. It has a gorgeous garden. It's within walking distance of my part-time second job, and a tube commute to my day job - though it's at a stop that pre-COVID was so busy you might not be able to get on the first tube.

Room 2 is massive, and I could set up a cozy chair or small couch, and have space to store all my things. It comes partially furnished, but with a wardrobe, a bed, etc, so it won't cost the earth to get whatever else I need. There's one other flatmate and we got on like a house on fire - we were chatting like old friends right away. It has some outdoor space, and a decent-sized but kind of old and tired kitchen. It's in a neighbourhood I really like, is a pretty easy tube commute to my day job, and a slightly more annoying commute to my part-time job (but I can make it work). I was sold on this one until the owner told me he's considering selling (he said 50/50) and he wanted to be upfront with me. He said he was gonna put it on the market for a massively inflated price and see if anyone bites. That last bit really put me off because I have had a hell of a year and a half moving several times after a breakup, and I kind of wanted somewhere to call home. But I imagined myself living in room 2 the second I walked in the door.

First world problem, I know. Both houses are nice. But what would you do?

Can you wait? I would say neither.

Number two isn't going to sell. Not with that attitude in this market.

Definitely No 2 as there's no point moving somewhere you've got reservations about if there are other options. House No 2 could sell before you're ready but if you want already looking and it seems a good option now, I'd take that unless a House 3 would be better.

Unfortunately no, I need to be out of my current place by 10 Oct. And flat hunting has become a full-time job.

Thanks! There may be a 3 out there somewhere but I am super exhausted from looking and kind of just want to get it settled?

I'd do Room 2 and ramp up your property hunt for somewhere to buy, so that you hopefully will be ready to move in there by the time that property sells.

Thanks! That's my next post. Hold please! 😂

Really depends on when you think you'll be buying? If it's soon I'd go for the first one and just put everything in storage.

If a bit longer then the second room as you'd need to live somewhere that feels more like home I guess?

Room 2

Thanks. I'm trying to buy ASAP but I have a tiny budget and know it'll take a while. That said I'm about to make an offer on a place.

I am assuming that the first one is cheaper!

Best of luck on your offer 🤞

Room 2

Is it too much to ask if he does put it on the market could he lower the rent after that? Or is that a silly idea?

Room 2 as no way is he selling it any time soon if he puts it on at a massively inflated price, not in this market.

You could say that if he has viewings you would expect a reduction to offset the inconvenience of having strangers look at your room? See what he says.

Could you buy place 2?!

Room 2 for sure.