If you’ve got plenty of house and not enough money, there are sites willing to help you find a housemate. Designed for empty-nesters who want to age in place, both sites charge relatively modest fees for roommate matching and screening services. However, both have limited reach. So, if you’re not able to find a renter near you, you may want to check out other ways to rent your house.
Silvernest
Silvernest aims to be a combination of AirBnb and Match.com for empty-nesters, who would like to rent out a room for money, chores or both. The site has changed its pay formula numerous times since its founding, but currently charges homeowners $24.99 a month. For that you get introduced to renters, automatic rent collection, a sample lease, advice, and the ability to re-list when your renter moves.
Technically, you can list your house for free. However, the ability to get detailed renter matching information and to proactively reach out to people you’d like to share a house with is restricted under the free plan. And since those are important services, it seems silly not to simply pay for a subscription.
Renters can search for free. But if the homeowner wants a background check (and they should), it’s $30. Learn more about Silvernest by reading our full review here.
Or sign up for Silvernest here.
Nesterly
Nesterly also serves as a matchmaker between homeowners and long-term renters. To make the home-sharing arrangement as safe as possible, Nesterly requires information about both homeowners and renters. This includes two personal references, criminal and sex-offender background checks, as well as an address history and a Social Security check. But the site is more geographically limited than Silvernest and charges higher fees.
