Hi renters,

Welcome to Rent Check PHX! In today’s issue, we’re talking about an interesting form of housing: co-living apartments.

I had a nice chat with one of the authors of a new report that suggests that Phoenix convert empty office space into small apartments with shared living spaces. 

After that, we’ve got some standout listings, a question to you all about co-living, and some news about housing in our area. 

Enjoy! I’ll be back in your inbox on Nov. 5. 

P.S. If you know any renters in Phoenix who may be into this newsletter, please forward it their way! 

A rendering of one of the report’s imagined micro apartment bedrooms. (Rendering courtesy of Gensler)

Here’s a fact that won’t surprise anyone: Phoenix doesn’t have enough housing for everyone who lives here, and that’s keeping prices painfully high. 

But here’s something you may not have known: Downtown Phoenix has too much office space, with 23% of it currently sitting vacant. 

A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonpartisan nonprofit, and Gensler, an international architecture and design firm, asks the question: What if we converted that empty space into co-living apartments—small, private rooms with shared bathrooms, kitchens, and living space? 

Office space can be difficult logistically to convert into traditional apartments, but the report’s authors argue that co-living apartments could be an easier and more cost-effective transition. 

In the report’s model, renters pay $850 a month for a 160-square-foot furnished bedroom. That may sound like a terrible deal—but the rent includes the shared spaces, access to a fitness center, daily cleaning of common spaces, 24-hour security, and all utilities, including internet.

🤏 Speaking of co-living: X Phoenix at Van Buren and Third streets offers co-living apartments that start at $899 a month for a four-bedroom configuration and $985 for a three-bedroom, both priced for 14-month leases. This includes a private bedroom and bathroom, and shared access to a fully equipped kitchen and furnished living area. X Phoenix also offers studios that start at $1,189 and one-bedroom apartments starting at $1,396. Amenities include a large pool, hot tub, open workspace, a club room, and an indoor/outdoor fitness center. The complex is currently offering up to two months’ rent free, and on-site parking is available for a monthly fee. 

🗣️ If you want to hear yourself echo: This 4,058-square-foot home off of 19th Avenue and Jomax Road has plenty of room for a big family or lots of roommates with four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. It’s listed for $3,295 a month and has a three-car garage, backyard gazebo, and solar panels. 

💙 If you’re feeling blue: This 1,930-square-foot home off of 44th Street and Elliot Road has a super cute blue kitchen. It has four bedrooms and two bathrooms and is listed at $2,750 a month. Dogs of certain breeds are allowed, but there can be no more than two, and they must be under 60 pounds. 

🔑 If you like a funky loft: This 1,574-square-foot townhome near the I-10 and Seventh Street has fun colors that are unusual for rentals. It was first listed for rent in July at $3,000 a month, but it’s since been lowered to $2,650. It has three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, an enclosed garage, and a balcony. 

If you come across any interesting, weird, or surprisingly affordable listings that you think should be featured here, please send them my way!

Listings available as of Oct. 22. I’m not paid to share these listings, but that doesn’t mean I can personally vouch for them. Please do your research before applying and signing a lease!

This is The Tenant’s Voice, a place where we can share our renting frustrations, helpful tips, and pressing questions. 

Since we’ve been talking about co-living today, I’m curious to hear where your heads are at on it. I couldn’t see myself in that style of living right now, but that’s because I have a partner and have gotten used to having private space. 

If I hadn’t been lucky enough to have had a college roommate who wanted to continue living with me after I graduated so we could split the rent, I may have ended up in a situation like the ones described above, especially if I had a strong desire to live downtown. 

I like the idea of this kind of housing being available, though, for people who could use it. 

Could you see yourself renting a co-living apartment? Is there a time in your life when it would have appealed to you? Let me know.

💸 Gov. Katie Hobbs is putting $13.5 million into eviction prevention and homelessness response efforts. (KVOA)

🔑 This Tempe apartment complex, built on an office parking lot, cuts out big amenities like a pool to keep rents more affordable. (azcentral) 

🚨 The city of Mesa is suing the landlord of an apartment that has averaged one police visit every three days. (Phoenix New Times)

📚 Love books? These 14 bookshelf makeovers may inspire a new home project. (Apartment Therapy)

🗳️ US Sen. Ruben Gallego shares what he’s doing to improve access to affordable housing in Arizona and the rest of the US. (The Copper Courier)

🏠 Can you guess which county in Arizona has the oldest homes? (The Copper Courier)

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner and edited by Paula Solis.

Rent Check PHX is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us.

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