Amid an affordable housing crisis, renting a room from a friend can seem like the perfect solution. But without clear rules, it can lead to power imbalances, feuds and even unfair evictions …
When Rachel needed a place to live, Maya was only too happy to offer her spare room. What are friends for?
Rachel had recently returned to her home town to start afresh, having been made redundant. Maya, a childhood friend, owned her three-bedroom home, having been helped to buy it by her parents.
When Rachel offered to pay rent, Maya suggested a figure – the market rate. Rachel agreed, recognising that she was in a bind and that Maya was helping her.
Over time, however, she found herself increasingly at Maya’s beck and call, and doing more than her share of the housework. If Maya left dirty dishes in the sink, or didn’t clean the stovetop after cooking, Rachel did it for her.
