Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What cities are served by Odd Couples Housing?

Currently, Odd Couples Housing is only active in the Greater St. Louis Area.

Does Odd Couples Housing perform background checks?

Odd Couples Housing recommends that Homeowners and Seekers conduct a background check; however, we neither require nor provide it. Background checks are arranged by the Homeowners and Seekers directly. Odd Couples Housing offers a background check partner, but parties are free to use another provider. Our partner is: http://www.hireimage.com/oddcouples/

Does Odd Couples Housing have any current matches that I can read about?

Yes, we do! Click below to read about several of our matches.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The West End Word

The Riverfront Times

STL Made

How do I get matched?

There are four main steps to finding a match.

Complete Your Profile

Homeowners create a profile to post available rooms. Seekers create a profile listing what they are looking for in a home. Each party will also complete a questionnaire designed to identify compatible housemates.

Find Your Match

Seekers select potential Homeowners. Then, Odd Couples Housing helps Homeowners determine which Seekers may be the best match.

Meet Your Match

Once a match occurs, Odd Couples Housing will facilitate an introductory meeting. If both parties choose to proceed, a tour of the home will be scheduled.

Move-In!

Odd Couples Housing provides a living arrangement document with suggested expectations and guidelines. If both parties agree, then it’s time to move in.

How long does it take before people move in together?

The length of matching process varies. On average, it takes several weeks to complete the matching, meeting, negotiating, and contract phases.

Is Odd Couples Housing a landlord?

No, we are not. Odd Couples Housing is not a rent, lease, or a landlord / tenant arrangement. Contracts for living arrangements and shared expenses are between the Homeowner and the Seeker. Odd Couples Housing is a platform that facilitates the matching and introductions of individuals interested in sharing a space.

Homeowner Questions

How much do I charge?

Expenses and needs vary among Homeowners. When deciding an amount to charge, Homeowners may consider the room size, access to amenities, and the portion of the utilities or mortgage represented by the space. Homeowners also have the ability to reduce the monthly expenses owed by Seekers in exchange for services like mowing the lawn or picking up prescriptions.

Once a Homeowner and a Seeker determine that they want to proceed, the contract phase begins. Negotiating expenses is a part of the contract process.

How do I get match requests?

Once you sign up and complete your profile, our matching team will contact you to get to know you better. Our team will review all of the requests to meet with you and suggest ones that we believe are a good fit. This makes sure that you only review the applicants that are likely to be a match.

After you complete your Odd Couples Housing profile, please allow several days for our team to reach out to you.

You can also read more on our How Matching Works page

My spouse / partner and I are interested in having a roommate. Is this permitted?

Absolutely. OCH encourages any Match that makes sense. The spouse/partner that fills out the questionnaire will be used to score compatibility. The other spouse/partner can be included in all meetings and the decision-making process.

Seeker Questions

Is the younger roommate required to provide caregiver services?

No. Odd Couples Housing is designed for healthy, active Homeowners and Seekers. Should the health of any party in the agreement deteriorate, the agreement between the parties can be terminated.

How long does the typical roommate match last?

Our matches all vary in duration. This decision is between the Homeowner and the Seeker. Some have stayed for a semester, some for a year or more.

Is the expense sharing in these homes more or less than a typical apartment? How much do people pay the homeowner?

Every match is different, and the amount of money Seekers are asked to contribute each month varies depending on the situation. However, the amount that the Seeker pays can be negotiated if they are willing to help with household tasks such as mowing the lawn, walking the dog, helping with technology, or various other duties.

Contact Odd Couples Housing

Our team is ready to answer your questions about Odd Couples Housing.