I’m not an angry person. At least not normally. But as of late, even some minor things (and major) have gotten me really steamed.
The Roommates
So, one of my roommates told me friday he was leaving, and all his stuff was gone by Sunday. How convinient…no need to pay rent in May now. Thanks for the 2 day notice! It’s not like I gave you 75 days notice….oh wait, I did.
On our meeting on Sunday I was told by the other two roommates that I would receive about 1/2 may’s rent before they moved out. I came home today (after leaving this morning with no checks to be found anywhere for me. Bear in mind, these were supposed “friends” who know my situation) to find about 70% of their stuff gone, and them nowhere in sight. No phone call, no nothing.
I even gave those two a good recommendation to the lady who called me last week about their tenancy (they were applying for a place they apparently moved into today). I guess I just kind of feel betrayed. Taken advantage of…and I’m angry.
What I’m angry at
I’m angry:
- At myself for not controlling the situation better from the beginning
- At myself for giving people the benefit of the doubt that someone’s word means something
- At my now ex-roommates for knowing my situation and thinking they can just give me 2-day’s notice and that is cool
- At allot of things right now
I think I should charge the last two per day until every last piece of their crap is out of the house. That would be a pretty clear cut way of doing it. Then they can turn in their keys and this horrid arrangement will be done with.
I guess you really find out who people are when money is involved.
And yet, it’s still ultimately my fault for getting myself into this position in the first place (but to be honest, I would have asked them to leave this summer even if I could keep the house. It just wasn’t working for me…too many differences. Too much drinking, too much immaturity, too much drama…)
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with you. You should charge the last two per day. It will help you towards your debt reduction and assure that you get paid.
I hear ya loud and clear…
When i was about 3 years younger than you are now (9 years ago) After my roommates (one a freind from high school, and his brother) Wanted me gone… there was a whole drama there that would take forever to explane… bottom line, the brother and i didn’t get along (he actually didn’t get along with anybody and ended up moving back with his parents) and freind from high school sided with his bro, so out I was back with MY parents…
from that day, I vowed that my next roommate would be my wife, which 3 years later it turned out to be.
You absoloutly do find out who people are when money is involved.
Had an uncle that was all pumped to help us get a house and wanted to sell us his that he had payed of on a contract. (it was a decent house, and I wouldn’t have minded buying it) But then he realised that he actually wanted to take the equity from that house and put it towards a new house (even though he had enough cash to do without). the whole time he wouldn’t just level with us. he was trying to get us on contract and then see if he could still borrow money on the house.
We thought he was really generous at first, but then we saw how quikly that dried up when it came ot looking after his own tail.
Anyway, I’m sure there’s about a story for every man-woman-child out there about this very same subject.
DK,
‘I guess you really find out who people are when money is involved.’
When you are broke, you will know who your real friends are. This also applies to family members. If you deal with any money matters with a friend, the best thing is have things in writing. That way there will be no misunderstandings. NEVER take a persons word for anything. As far as these roommates are concerned, DON´T deal with these people EVER AGAIN. Chalk it up as a learning experience. I know it´s tough right now but in time, things will come slowly for you. I know how frustrating it is. We all make mistakes and what it comes down to it, is that you learned from them and NEVER repeat them again.
This is why it’s always a bad idea to do business with friends or family. It’s a lesson that I learned the hard way too…
Mmm – never rent out a room without rent in advance and a bond. It all makes sense now to you I guess. But yeah we have out stories e.g. I’m no longer friends with Paul 2 (a former tenant) – I had to have the cops charge him with criminal damage before he would settle up for damages. I think allowing your home to become a “party house” by the sounds of it might have been part of the problem?
First, phone your previous roommates and tell them they will be charged for every day their personal stuff remains on your property. You are not a storage facility. At the same time, while their stuff remains, you are unable to “rent” their rooms to short-term tenant.
Inform them that you will be changing the locks later this week, so their access to pick-up the stuff anytime is limited. Once the locks are changed, they will need to coordinate pick-up at your convenience.
Check the landlord laws in your state, there is a period of time you are required to “safe guard” your tenants personal property – however, you are entitled to receive payment for the storage cost. After a certian period of time you can consider the poperty abandoned and sell.
Debt Kid, I know this is a silly question but can you stay with your parents for a while? Or do they live too far away? I lived with my dad for about a year after college. It wasn’t fun but at least I saved money had free place to stay, a hot shower and free food!
Moving in with my father wouldn’t be a silly idea…but he lives 3 hours away, and my office is here. So, it’s not feasible yet, but a real possibility.
Maybe they weren’t happy with you for not being honest with them about the situation from the beginning.
I could see how they’d be annoyed that you were losing the house and waited to tell them. That’s not cool.
As far as them “knowing your situation”, why should your problem be their problem?
I’ve heard so many horror stories involving roomate situations. I’d never consider doing it.
Check to see what the notice is for tenants. In California, it is 30 days. In California if roommates are considered tenants, then they are responsible for up to 30 days after given notice IN WRITING. If you get someone to rent in the meantime, then it is less than 30 days. If this is a lease, then it would be for the duration of the lease OR until you find someone else (whichever is first)…oh, and due diligence must be made.
It could be a small claim’s case…whose name(s) are on the lease?
Debtkid,
I just moved in Seattle. WA law requires 20 days advance notice and you can charge them for the full 20 days even if they move our beforehand.
Maybe stay with the father on weekends? It will get you out of the office for a couple nights a week….
I agree with seeing your father on weekends, or maybe every other weekend, for some balance.