A tiny space described as a “Harry Potter cabin” is up for rent in San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA – The high cost of housing in the Bay Area is a well-known fact in the region, and one South Bay resident is making an unusual sublease offer to help pay the rent: for $250 and a few minor chores, he wants to sublet his “Harry Potter cupboard” space under the stairs in his apartment in San Jose.

According to the Craigslist ad, the sublease space is 3 feet by 10 feet, which is “perfect for a baby’s bed.” The area could be blocked “by jury tampering,” the announcement said.

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It’s located in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment on 5th Street, near the San Jose State University campus.

The man who posted the ad, who only wanted to be identified as Jason, admitted his offer was “blatantly illegal,” but added that due to the high cost of housing, his options were limited.

“It’s either that or I’ll rent the Harry Potter storage room under the stairs to someone else and probably for a much higher price,” the 40-year-old handyman told KTVU in an email.

He was very open about the disadvantages of renting space. He said the apartment is a converted two-car garage that is not insulated.

He’s in a high-crime neighborhood, which he said since he doesn’t allow his tenant to have guests over may not be a problem. “Sorry about that, but seriously, who would want to visit this place?” Jason wrote on his Craigslist announcement.

Other restrictions that exclude a potential roommate include a criminal history and any substance abuse. Pets are not allowed.

Jason said that ideally this person is a “nice nerdy gamer” with no preference for male or female.

The subtenant will have access to the kitchen, the Internet, all household appliances, his/her TV, Xbox, media, plates and cutlery.

He said other benefits include gated parking, the apartment is air-conditioned and heated, and he can host a game of D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) for his roommate.

Jason also noted, “I’m a pretty good cook and I’m usually willing to share.”

As for the lease portion, the South Bay resident said he’s asking for it to be done twice a week and will include sweeping, cleaning kitchen counters and washing dishes.

“It takes me about half an hour,” he said, adding, “A total of $250 and 2 hours of work a month is pretty good, as most people would think.”

Jason that it has received great interest, approximately 30 inquiries since posting the ad. He plans to show the space to potential tenants this week.

He shared that the feedback was mostly positive, with a few nasty comments.

Jason stated that he had no intention of making money on the deal because it would only contribute to the affordable housing problem.

“If I wanted to make money, I would find someone who wanted a bedroom, pay $250, sleep in the closet and do all the chores myself!” said the foreman.

He noted that he has seen ads asking for between $600 and $1,200 for half of the living room with no access to the kitchen.

“Honestly, I think most people are just stunned that I’m renting it for so LOW,” Jason said.

A recent analysis found that San Jose is the third most expensive city in the U.S. for rent, with an average rent of $3,329. According to research conducted by: only two cities were more expensive than San Jose Real Estate Rentalare New York and San Francisco, where average rents were $4,035 and $3,411, respectively.

Jason expressed frustration with the high cost of rent and said he was having a hard time making ends meet.

He said that as a college graduate with multiple degrees, he was angry that he found himself in this situation. “I didn’t expect to be,” he said, “here…at this stage in my life.”