There are many reasons why you might choose to rent a house. Whether you want more yard space for your pet, privacy from neighbors, or the simple luxury of getting packages delivered to your door instead of a communal mail room, renting a house can have benefits over apartments or condos. However, this living arrangement is not for everyone, and it’s important to consider the good and the bad before deciding to rent a single-family home.
To be sure that renting a house is the right option for you, check out our guide on the pros and cons of renting a house and how they may affect your living experience.
Pros of Renting a House
Starting off on a high note, let’s talk about the pros of renting a house. Renting a single-family home is a great option for renters with pets, families, or anyone seeking more privacy and space. Here are a few advantages of renting a house:
More space
One of the most obvious benefits of renting a house is more space. Rather than squeezing into a studio apartment or cramming into a condo, renters can enjoy more space and breathing room when living in a single-family house. This is especially helpful for large households, as the luxury of having multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas can make a huge difference in daily life. Additionally, your home might also have a garage or basement, offering some bonus square footage for storage or hobbies.
Free parking
Parking is another huge advantage of renting a single-family home. Not only is it free, but it’s usually a lot more accessible than apartment parking arrangements. When you rent a house, you won’t have to worry about paying recurring parking fees or hauling groceries from the parking deck to your front door. Rather, you can enjoy the affordable and accessible luxury of parking in your driveway, on the street, or even a home garage.
More privacy
Many people decide to rent a house when they grow tired of sharing walls. Living in an apartment or condo means having neighbors above, below, and on either side of you. This arrangement, regardless of how thick the walls are, can lead to noise disturbances and privacy concerns. Meanwhile, renting a house means having your own stand-alone unit, minimizing conflict with neighbors and creating a more peaceful and private living experience.
Potential for rent-to-own
Another enticing aspect of renting a house is the potential for a rent-to-own arrangement. This means that if you want to purchase the home in the future, a portion of your rent payments can go toward a down payment. This can be a great option for renters who want to buy a home but aren’t ready to commit. Throughout your lease, you can feel things out, save some money, and then, if you want to buy, see if your landlord would be willing to negotiate a rent-to-own deal.
Cons of Renting a House
No living arrangement is perfect, and rental homes are no exception. While renting a house comes with many advantages, it also has its fair share of drawbacks. Before you sign the lease to a rental home, first consider the following potential downsides:
Higher rent
Earlier, we mentioned how rental homes typically have more square footage than apartments and condos. However, this extra space typically comes at a cost. Single-family homes are usually the most expensive type of rental property due to their size. That said, prices can vary significantly depending on your location. Before ruling out rental homes, make sure to survey your specific market — you might find they’re more affordable than you expect.
More expensive to furnish
While we’re on the topic of more square footage, it’s worth mentioning that more space typically means more money spent on furniture. If you’re coming from an apartment or condo, your furnishings may be limited to bedroom and living room pieces. However, when moving into a house, you may find yourself needing additional furniture for a dining room, home office, or other living spaces. If your budget can’t accommodate a home’s worth of furniture, you might consider sticking to a smaller living arrangement.
Less access to the maintenance crew
One of the biggest drawbacks to renting a house is the lack of on-site, round-the-clock maintenance. Most apartment communities employ a team of maintenance professionals to address resident repairs at the drop of a hat. However, this luxury doesn’t typically extend to independently owned rental homes. Instead, renters are responsible for sorting out repairs with their landlord, which can be a hassle if they aren’t responsive or timely. In this case, it helps to know how to address simple repairs on your own or have a network of trusted professionals to call on when needed.
More hands-on landlords
Living in an independently owned rental home fosters a unique tenant-landlord relationship. Unlike apartments or condos typically managed by large property management companies, renting a house often means working directly with a personal landlord. Some renters prefer this relationship dynamic, as it can allow for more flexibility and straightforward communication. However, others might find this arrangement to be too hands-on or invasive, especially if their landlord is overly involved or lacks boundaries.
How to Decide Whether to Rent a House or an Apartment
Deciding between renting a house or an apartment comes down to many factors. How big is your household? Do you have pets? Do you want to live in a condensed metro area or sprawling suburbs? Which matters most to you: space, convenience, privacy, or affordability? Answering these questions will lead you in the right direction, along with evaluating the following factors:
Budget
As mentioned earlier, rental homes tend to be more expensive than apartments. If this is the case in your market, you’ll need to decide if your budget can accommodate increased rent and utility costs. Additionally, you might also consider the cost of cleaning and furnishing your space, as well as any potential maintenance expenses that won’t be covered by your landlord.
Location
Location is another thing to consider when choosing between an apartment or a single-family house. Though it will depend on the area, you’ll usually find more rental home options in spread-out suburban areas, while large apartments may be more common in metro parts. Think about which location better aligns with your lifestyle, work commute, and preferences for amenities and local culture.
Lifestyle
Lastly, let’s talk about lifestyle and daily habits. This is one of the most important things to consider when deciding to rent a house or an apartment. For example, if you work from home, you may want the privacy and quiet environment of a single-family house. Or, if you’re a social butterfly, you may seek an apartment community with shared entertainment spaces and access to local bars and restaurants. The key is to understand your needs and which living arrangement can best fulfill them.
The Bottom Line
The decision to rent a single-family house ultimately comes down to your living preferences and budget. While you may not want to spend a little extra on rent, the additional space may be worth it. Or, if you tend to be accident-prone, you might want to sacrifice square footage or privacy for easy maintenance access. At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as a perfect living arrangement. So, as you begin your search, use this guide and ForRent’s other renter resources to decide if renting a house is right for you.
FAQ
Is renting a house better than renting an apartment?
It depends on your needs. Renting a house usually offers more space and privacy, making it ideal for families or those needing extra room. Apartments, however, are often more affordable and come with perks like around-the-clock maintenance and amenities.
Is it cheaper to rent a house or apartment?
Apartments are typically cheaper to rent than houses due to their smaller size and shared facilities. However, this can vary based on location, with houses in certain markets sometimes being competitively priced.
Is it better to rent or buy a house?
Renting offers flexibility and lower upfront costs, making it a good option for short-term living. Buying is better for long-term stability and building equity, but it requires a significant financial commitment.