boardinghouses

A boardinghouse is a dwelling in which tenants rent individual rooms and, in many cases, receive meals or other services provided by the proprietor. Rooms are typically furnished, and residents share common facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. Boardinghouses emphasize longer-term occupancy and fewer services than hotels, with meal plans or room-only arrangements depending on the contract.

Historically, boardinghouses were common in urban areas during the 19th and early 20th centuries, serving factory workers, immigrants, students, and travelers. They offered affordable lodging in structures ranging from converted single-family homes to purpose-built houses. The model varied by region, but the core idea was ongoing housing with at least minimal meals or dining facilities.

Operations and arrangements usually involve private rooms with shared common areas. Rent is paid per room, sometimes with separate charges for meals, utilities, or cleaning. Leases can be short-term or longer-term, and house rules, deposits, and notice periods govern occupancy. Some boardinghouses also include housekeeping or linen services, while others provide only space and access to communal kitchens.

Regulation and prevalence vary by country and city. Many jurisdictions require adherence to housing codes, fire safety standards, and, in some places, licensing or inspections. In recent decades the term has become less common in favor of descriptors such as rooming houses or residential hotels, with many former boardinghouses converted into apartments or other housing forms.

Boardinghouses have historically offered affordable, stable lodging for a range of residents, including workers, students, and low- to middle-income tenants. Related terms include lodging house and rooming house, with some overlap into single-room-occupancy arrangements.

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