Renting an ADU: The Cheapest You Can Have in Los Angeles

Looking for a place to stay in Los Angeles? Well, if you are, the very first thing you need to consider is your budget and how long will you be staying. If you’ll be staying short-term, then you may opt to stay in hotels and apartments. However, if you plan to stay for long, like months or years, then, staying in hotels would not be an option, unless if you have the money. But, if you are on a budget and staying for a long time in Los Angeles, then, you might consider another option. What could it be?

If you're already in Los Angeles, try to stroll around their residential area. You'll see basement apartments, over the garage rooms, or even tiny houses in the backyard. Some of them are actually for rent. These secondary dwelling units are called accessory dwelling units or ADUs.

Los Angeles is known to have been flooded with ADUs all around. This is because of the high demand for apartments and places to live in.

However, if you are yet to arrive in Los Angeles, it's wiser to find accommodation and have it reserved. You can opt to look for affordable rentals online via Craiglist or Airbnb. You'll get the chance to choose which house you'll be living for the next few months or years. But, if you're extra lucky, you'll get to find AUDs for rent online. ADUs are cheaper, yet, it's no way less than a house or an apartment. So, how cheap an ADU can get in Portland?

Cost of ADU rentals in Los Angeles

Honestly, there is still a shortage in supply for ADUs in Los Angeles, particularly, detached ADUs. So, if you get lucky and found one for rent, perhaps, it'll cost you around $800-$1200 per month. Or, on the average, you’ll pay around $1000 per month. This is for the detached ADUs, whether permitted or not. However, if you think you’re going to be fine with attached ADUs, then, you can stay in a basement apartment or over the garage rooms for rent. That is if, you’re comfortable living with someone else in the house.

But, if you’re uncomfortable and you need a place to live, but you’re on a budget, perhaps, you can have some other options. Furthermore, if you are really serious to live in an ADU for months to years, it's a big decision. There are a lot of things you need to consider before hopping in and signing of a contract

Finding a place to stay for days or weeks is very easy. But, if we talk about months and years of dwelling, this is a different story.

There are a few important things you need to take into consideration when renting an apartment.

Price

Probably, the most essential thing you need to know is the price. Knowing the price helps you consider whether your income is enough or not. Or, you should look for something cheaper. If you’ll just dip into the waters right away, then, you might find some troubles afterward. Some homeowners have it on a month-to-month tenancy, while others have it for lease tenancy. The latter is common for those who are willing to stay for several years.

Companion

Again, if you are comfortable living with people you barely know or with some friends, then, an ADU is your best pick. You can live in a single room beneath the homeowner's house or you can also live in apartments over a garage. It’s up to you. But, It’s very important to know the people around, especially in the main house to be able to connect and live harmoniously with them.

Electricity and Utilities

Some homeowners may have connected the ADU’s power and water from the main house. So, you have to make sure that you’re clear on this. Does the rent include the electricity, water and trash collection? If not, then, you must also need to allocate budget for this on a monthly basis.

Furniture and Appliances

Do you bring in some furniture and appliances upon moving to the ADU? Is the space enough for the things that you might be putting in. Ask the landlord or the homeowners if they allow you to bring in all the furniture and appliances you have. This is also an important barometer of whether or not to pursue in living an ADU.

In Portland, though it’s legal to build an ADU and have it rented, some homeowners are still not doing it.

Perhaps, some are just reluctant, yet, some have space, but they don’t have the money to do it. So, if you’re tired of looking for ADU in Portland for rent, but still fail to have one, then, investing on an ADU is the next wiser move. The demand is still high and the market is still very welcoming. So, now is the perfect time to try.