OP You can make this work. I have a similar setup. I rent a basement space for a partial rent exchange and work another full time job during the day. The rent exchange family primarily needs date night work now that the kids are in school. What would be a deal breaker for me is if I didn't have my own kitchen area. It's nothing fancy but I'm a good cook w/ lots of experience so I am able to make it work with a toaster oven, cooktop and full size refrigerator. You might consider adding some type of kitchen area for her to make it more appealing as a rent exchange.

OP here! Thanks for all the input… lots to consider!

In VA she'd have tenant rights. We've been through this.

NannyRach wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

NannyRach wrote:OP I'm not sure about the legalities, but why not just set it up as a nanny share with a live-in option, and pay her a normal share rate, split between the families, and charge her rent as your tenant? You'd still be "paying less" overall, but the lines are much less blurred. If you did things the way you are considering, it sounds like it'd be a nightmare for both of you come tax time.

Because when you PAY rent you have certain expectations and obligations. If she is paying for it, it certainly isn't worth the same $800 the family charged other tenants because I bet you the kids didn't come down and bother those tenants, and their bosses never came downstairs and knocked on their door to ask them a question, etc.

Well she's "paying" for it either way, right? With her labor or her money. So really, no matter what OP chooses to do, she needs to ensure that she respects that fact, and treats her in the same way she would any other tenant (ie. The kids shouldn't be bothering her, and OP should be respectful of her off time and her privacy).

No you are paying for it, or its a benefit. As a benefit there are much less expectations. I surely wouldn't want to pay my boss $800 a month to live with them. You can split an apartment anywhere in DC, even pricey Georgetown, for $800 a month.

Anonymous wrote:

NannyRach wrote:OP I'm not sure about the legalities, but why not just set it up as a nanny share with a live-in option, and pay her a normal share rate, split between the families, and charge her rent as your tenant? You'd still be "paying less" overall, but the lines are much less blurred. If you did things the way you are considering, it sounds like it'd be a nightmare for both of you come tax time.

Because when you PAY rent you have certain expectations and obligations. If she is paying for it, it certainly isn't worth the same $800 the family charged other tenants because I bet you the kids didn't come down and bother those tenants, and their bosses never came downstairs and knocked on their door to ask them a question, etc.

Well she's "paying" for it either way, right? With her labor or her money. So really, no matter what OP chooses to do, she needs to ensure that she respects that fact, and treats her in the same way she would any other tenant (ie. The kids shouldn't be bothering her, and OP should be respectful of her off time and her privacy).