Thursday, February 28, 2013

FERAL ROOMMATES

The best way to get to know someone is to live with them.   Living together can be a great experience, a so-so experience, or you could discover that you are living with the roommate from hell.

Here’s a profile of a bad roommate:

·     They pay the rent and/or utilities late (or not at all);
·    Their pets chew the baseboards and moldings and YOU repair them;
·    Their dogs poop and pee on the carpet – regularly;
·    They elect you the resident house cleaner and dishwasher;
·    Your personal property is damaged or stolen by your roommate;
·    They tell you  - the day before - that guests are staying for a week!;
·    Their bedroom could be nominated for “The Hoarder Show.”
Think that I’m over-exaggerating?   I’m not.  Really, I’m not!

Caveat emptor – let the buyer beware!

Before being stuck with the roommate from hell (or somewhere in-between), do your research.
  • Ask for landlord references for your roommate and call them!
  • Ask for former roommate references and call them!
  • Run a background check for evictions, criminal records, judgments, etc.
  • Get a friend to “vet” your roommate;
  • Develop a Roommate Agreement and specify:
    • Who does the cleaning and when?
    • How utilities get paid and when?
    • Each person’s share of the monthly rent
    • Overnight guest policy
    • Common areas and areas solely dedicated to (a)specific roommate(s)
    • Noise level
    • Parties, etc.
Discuss the agreement with your prospective roommate BEFORE you live together.  If you can't work things out now, this is a great indicator that you should NOT be roommates.

BUT, then there is the prospective roommate who will agree to anything and breach all agreements once you live together.  Why?  Perhaps they can’t secure an apartment without your credit record or career standing; and you unwittingly sign a joint lease agreement.  Once you’ve signed a joint lease, you will “be on the hook” for the full rent and utilities and your feral roommate will be riding on your coat-tails.

Once you have vetted your prospective roommate, enter into a formal Roommate Agreement before signing the lease agreement.  See the right side of this Blog for sample Roommate Agreements.

And when you and your new roommate(s) finally do reside together, I hope that your shared living experience is as “heavenly” as possible.

P.S. Feral means “not domesticated” or “suggestive of a wild beast.” 

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