Should I take a tenant/roommate?

yeahbuddy

I'm currently faced with a decision at the moment, looking to see what advice some Polkies might have for me.

I've owned a house for about a year now, bought it on a short sale to get away from paying rent and provide me some equity. Meanwhile, I've been living there alone, enjoying my privacy and solitude whenever I want it. However, a friend and coworker is up with a lease at the end of the month and is looking for someplace to stay. I know him and trust him to pay rent on time, and we get along well currently.

I'm not sure how he'll be as a roommate...his apartment is far from clean at the moment and he really doesn't have furniture to speak of. This might be nice so that I'm not crowding up my house with his junk, but I'm wondering if he might take advantage of all the stuff I have and would be potentially concerned about overuse/potential abuse of all my A/V gear that's currently in the living room (common area).

So for $400 extra a month (I'm having a hard time not thinking about the kind of gear I could get monthly with that stipend), is it worth me taking him in? What should I should consider before I say yes?

badchad

Is your privacy/lifestyle worth $400/month? And have you lived with roommates before?

Personally, I value my space and privacy, so I'd have to make a decent chunk of change per month to give that up.

polk500

Well just from my experience most people who rented a room from us when we were younger (before Kids) were just a pain in the butt. From eating our food to not cleaning up after themselves, to having people in when were not there (which is their right as they pay rent there. But how do you protect your stuff) and the list of cons goes on and on.

The pros; money, companionship?

Cheers Roger

Clipdat

Absolutely not. Roommates are awful and I guarantee he will forget to turn your gear off after he's done blasting it.

chumlie

Just say NO. It never turns out well. Simply not worth the agravation. You'll find out at about month 2 when you still don't have any extra money and everything he does irritates you. On top of that, its gonna effect you at work. I can pretty much assure you. He will not be your friend when he moves out. Good luck whatever you choose.

VR3

I have had two roommates and both were a positive experience. The first one was a long time friend, he was ultra social, opposite of me but this had its perks as it was cool to have a friend at the house. I will admit I missed some solitude in his stay. The next roommate was almost eerily perfect, he worked night shift and I worked day shift so I literally never saw him. When he was here he was playing video games and stayed in the room he slept in.

So my experience with roommates are positive, I think it just depends on the person. I would suggest a deposit in case of damages and just make it his last months rent at the end when he tells you he is going to move out.

Glowrdr

Yeah, I was in the same boat. Bought a house 11 years ago, foreclosure. Moved out of my parents and straight into a house because I couldn't foresee throwing my money away on renting.

Having roommates was fun for a bit - I have a 4 level split, so there was some decent seperation for noise control. But, they had friends over all the time. Then late friends. I complained about people coming over at 1am when I have to work, so they started just leaving the door unlocked and telling them to come in. Well, they "lived" in the basement, so everyone was traveling through my living space to get to the basement. Not cool.

I can't say I had anything bad come from having roommates (probably had 6 over the years) - but yeah, never had anyone that I wish was still here today. Once the g/f and I started getting serious and fixing up the house - we gave everyone their notice. I wasn't about to do a 20k kitchen remodel so they could leave their mac'n'cheese stuck to my cooktop for a week. This is MY nice stuff, not theirs.

Plus, it made me feel like a dick at times because I had upstairs, and they had down. Each of us had our own bathrooms, living room and bedrooms. Mine just happened to have a 55" with surround sound, while they had a 27" CRT. Needless to say, I'd get home from work and 90% of the time there would be people in my face right when I walked in. Do you tell them to get out of your "room", or leave it be? I usually let it be because I didn't want to be petty. You end up making that decision a lot. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, friends - they all are issues that have to be addressed at one point or another.

I'd say let him stay with you if there is an exit plan. Is he just looking for an intermediate place until he gets his own, or is he looking to stay with you for a few years? 12+ months would be a no-go for me. I'd be more than happy to collect for a short term. Helps me out, and helps out a friend.

DaveHo

Never have a friend as a roommate. You can be almost certain he won't be a friend when he moves out. The messy apt he currently has is a good indication of how he will treat your house. Do you want to constantly clean up after him? If he's a slob, it's not going to change just because he's living in your house.

disneyjoe7

If the money isn't an issue then I think the added cash isn't worth your privacy and solitude whenever you wish.

cnh

VR3 is right! It's quite variable and can be a good or a bad experience.

A few questions.

1. How old are you? The older you get the less flexibility you have so roommates become a more and more "dreaded" option unless they're Best Friends!
2. How LONG have you known this dude?
3. How CLOSE are you? Is he a very good friend whose faults you can accept or look the other way on, and vice versa?
4. Last but not least. What gear do you have a "hankering" for...lol?

cnh

yeahbuddy

badchad wrote: »

Is your privacy/lifestyle worth $400/month?

That's one big question I'm definitely asking myself. :razz: It's nice having my own space, but I could do a fair amount with $400/month. Lately I haven't been around often with various sports and activities during the week and travelling on weekends, but I know that won't last forever and when I'll want to chill on the couch and watch a movie I'd like to do so without clamoring over him watching some stupid TV show or something on my system.

Clipdat wrote: »

Absolutely not. Roommates are awful and I guarantee he will forget to turn your gear off after he's done blasting it.

I certainly hope that wouldn't be the case, but I'll admit it's a possibility. Also the fact that I have a projector in the main living room is likely not the best idea if he's planning on getting home and turning the TV on until bedtime...he's not as active as me so I could see him burning out the bulb within a year's timeframe, whereas I'll have it on once or twice a week tops.

VR3 wrote: »

The next roommate was almost eerily perfect, he worked night shift and I worked day shift so I literally never saw him. When he was here he was playing video games and stayed in the room he slept in.

That does sound much better, unfortunately we work the same hours, even currently carpool together. I could see where it'd get to be a bit much...drive together, work together, live together, although we work in different departments so I very rarely see him most of the day.

I appreciate all the advice so far! Not an easy choice at this point, guess I'm letting the money weigh in more than I likely should. In reality, it'd be $400 plus utilities, so I'd likely gain closer to $475-ish unless he's the type that takes hourlong showers or a spaceheater year-round.

Sherardp

I would say don't do it...........if his place isn't clean I would think he won't be clean in your place either. CNH has a great post, above. Need some more info man.......

VR3

My opinion, I would never* rent to someone who I worked with, lived with, drove with - yeah no way... lol

gce

If you like your privacy don't do it. It's a give take kinda thing that some do not want to do.

bikezappa

Lot of depends or issues.

How big is your home?
What rules you have?
Cash or check payment?
Do you like the roomate?

I had a very positive experience with a roomate for a year and would repeat if I wanted the money.

hochpt21

One of my best friends of 10+ years (he was in my wedding). We lived together one year in college and it was not good. We were up front with each other and didn't room again. He is one of my best friends to this day. I lived with a couple other guys in college, but we knew each other very well before hand. I don't think I could do it now.

cnh

hochpt21 wrote: »

One of my best friends of 10+ years (he was in my wedding). We lived together one year in college and it was not good. We were up front with each other and didn't room again. He is one of my best friends to this day. I lived with a couple other guys in college, but we knew each other very well before hand. I don't think I could do it now.

I believe that was covered under item #3:

3. How CLOSE are you? Is he a very good friend whose faults you can accept or look the other way on, and vice versa?

If you can't do that. It does NOT matter if the guy was your "best" friend or not. The flexibility was not there. This is TRUE even for those of us who are MARRIED. If you and your wife can't subscribe to the above get the divorce "now". lol


cnh

yeahbuddy

cnh wrote: »

VR3 is right! It's quite variable and can be a good or a bad experience.

A few questions.

1. How old are you? The older you get the less flexibility you have so roommates become a more and more "dreaded" option unless they're Best Friends!
2. How LONG have you known this dude?
3. How CLOSE are you? Is he a very good friend whose faults you can accept or look the other way on, and vice versa?
4. Last but not least. What gear do you have a "hankering" for...lol?
cnh

1. Just turned 26, so pretty flexible on that regard. However, I recently got in a relationship that has her over fairly often, so I can see where that might limit flexibility. This is ultimately my choice, but I'll at least run it by her beforehand to see what she thinks about the scenario.
2. Known him for about a year and a half
3. We're not best friends by any means, though we do have things in common. I tend to be a pretty maleable person that's easy to get along with, but like anyone else people can grate on me after a while. That said, I did have several roommates through college and never had any problems beyond a few minor gripes that I just dealt with, and we're all still friends that keep in touch today.
4. What are you selling?? I frequently browse items listed here in the flea market, though I'm not at privilege to view anymore. This may have likely contributed to my recent increased participation on the forums, so maybe this post count restriction has been a positive change after all. (I'm hoping to not create an obnoxious bunch of noise to pad my count) :cheesygrin:

bikezappa wrote: »

Lot of depends or issues.

How big is your home?
What rules you have?
Cash or check payment?
Do you like the roomate?

I had a very positive experience with a roomate for a year and would repeat if I wanted the money.

The house is small, about 1200 sq ft, so not a lot of places for him to hide. He'd essentially have the upstairs to himself, there's the extra bedroom and my makeshift storage room that I rarely need. My room shares a wall with the living room however, so if he's up watching TV I'll have a hard time tuning it out from the bedroom.

Not sure I have any concrete rules, I don't think late-night parties or him bringing obnoxious girls over are really a problem, though I'm comfortable enough confronting him if situations like those arise.

Cash vs. check? Is there a benefit to one over the other?

cnh

At 26 that would be OK. You sound flexible enough. Check with the girlfriend, she ALSO needs to be in on this and also run that by the friend. Otherwise. You look like you're good to go if you want to?

I'm not selling anything. Though there may be a vintage Karma soon!

Good Luck!


cnh

bikezappa

yeahbuddy wrote: »

1.Cash vs. check? Is there a benefit to one over the other?

Always like cash.

I had a large home that separated me from the roomate. That helped a lot to give me privacy.

bikezappa

Simple solution.

Do it on a trail basis and explain your concerns.

You both have the option to not continue with a months notice at any time for any reason with no hard feelings.

That extra cash comes in hardy.

rpf65

I'll take a slightly different perspective. Like you, I also live alone, but it would be a rare person that I would rent a room too. Then again, as a younger person, you would tend to be much more flexable than I would be. Could I use some extra money, especially this time of year, sure could. Could I also see me throwing said person through a wall because I came home from work, finding a house full of people I don't know blasting some really annoying country music? Without a seconds hesitation.

Guess that could just mean that I'm gettin old though.

decal

If you have to ask for opinions on a matter like this in an audio forum, maybe you aren't really ready to be a landlord. Just a thought.

stretchl

"Outlook not so good"

gudnoyez

Unless you really need the funds, otherwise I would not recommend it.

dorokusai

Nope.

janmike

decal wrote: »

If you have to ask for opinions on a matter like this in an audio forum, maybe you aren't really ready to be a landlord. Just a thought.

Bingo.

yeahbuddy

rpf65 wrote: »

Could I also see me throwing said person through a wall because I came home from work, finding a house full of people I don't know blasting some really annoying country music? Without a seconds hesitation.

Trust me when I say that the second any country music comes out he'd be kicked to the curb. Guess that's another positive: I'm bigger than him so if it comes to it I can always take off the landlord hat and become the bouncer.

decal wrote: »

If you have to ask for opinions on a matter like this in an audio forum, maybe you aren't really ready to be a landlord. Just a thought.

Harsh, harsh indeed. Maybe the tough love I needed? Or am I doing what I told myself I wouldn't and creating obnoxious noise by finally getting around to taking a more active role around here?

Erik Tracy

And are you prepared if your new roomie gets hooked up and starts having her over all the time as basically another roomie, but not paying rent?

There may be some 'pros' to having a roomie, just too many 'cons' in my book.

Upstatemax

I've rented to a few friends and it went fine. But they all had other plans and were not staying for the long haul. I would only rent to someone I felt would RESPECT me and my stuff.

It also did not hurt that the first one just broke up with her boyfriend and has the most perfect set of **** I've ever seen...

SDA1C

NO! Does that boost my post count?