With the economy of today's world, it is getting harder and harder to find affordable places to rent. With the cost of property taxes, mortgages and interest, and maintenance costs the smaller landlords are having a hard time of covering expenses; while at the same time, as rents go up, income levels have stalled out. So what do you do if you really do need cheaper rent to make your income work? Here are four ideas you can consider which help you get cheap rent.
There are advantages and disadvantages to all four of the list above. Depending on your skills and ability, any one of them is possible.
Building Management
- Advantages - this is a good way to work off the rent. If you are good with tools, and know how to do basic repairs and maintenance, this is a good way to get cheap rent. You would most likely become the “Building Super” and be in charge of keeping up with the work as it comes.
- Disadvantages - the one main drawback to this type of agreement is that you are basically the face of your landlord. If the landlord has a problem tenant, or needs issues resolved, you could be caught in the middle of dealing with it. There is also the common knock at the door at any hour because someone broke something and want it fixed now.
Campground Living
- Advantages - this is a great way to get cheap rent, especially if you love the outdoors. Living in a camper can be an inexpensive means of housing if you don't mind living in smaller spaces. This is also a good choice if you don't need much to live on, and usually comes with all furnishings and appliances included.
- Disadvantages - most campgrounds are seasonal, so you would possibly have to move at least twice a year. There are some year-round camping areas but you would have to look for them; and they will more than likely have restrictions as to what you can do or have around your camper. Another issue would be that campgrounds are usually farther from town which would mean traveling to get basic needs.
Traveling Job
- Advantages - this method sometimes can get cheap rent or free lodging depending on the job. Most of the time you only stay in one town for a set number of days or weeks before moving on. One of the best examples of this type of living is the traveling carnival, another example are the construction crews which travel to different jobs. Interstate truck drivers also fall into this category in that they basically live in their truck.
- Disadvantages - a large drawback to this way to get cheap rent is that you are always moving from one place to another. If you are a type of person who wants to remain in one location for awhile, traveling jobs are not the best option, but if done for short amounts of time, they can help you build up income.
Becoming a Non-Profit
- Advantages - beyond the tax aid, this idea to get cheap rent works well if you are willing to help others and create a needed benefit to your community. Non-Profit organizations are not complicated to start, and can be as small or large as you can make them. If you are good at marketing, have people skills, and are willing to put lots of hours into fundraising and programs this is an idea that can actually work. Your place of residence would become the office for the non-profit, thereby allowing you to write off most expenses or gather contributions.
- Disadvantages - it should be seriously noted that there are many rules and regulations governing what can and cannot be seen as a non-profit organization. There is also a great deal of accounting and business knowledge needed to keep your status as a non-profit. If any government unit thinks that you are simply trying to get out of paying taxes or live for free, they will try to shut your operation down.
While these are not the four most widely known ways to get cheap rent, they do work. They also show that if you use a little imagination, and ingenuity you can always find a way to have a roof over you and your family for less.
