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Thread: Roommate/lease help

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    Featured Member kandie_kitten's Avatar
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    Default Roommate/lease help

    I posted a few days ago about looking to move out for the first time.

    I decided living with a roommate would be the smartest idea at this point.

    I posted on craiglist about the things I wanted, and have gotten a few responses. Most of them were shady, but one girl who responded sounded great. She has a small house near my ideal area, with a yard and deck. My bedroom would be fairly large, and a shared bathroom. She sounds responsible, and like we would be compatible about issues like food/cleaning/guests.

    I'm going to visit the place this week, and I'm kind of clueless. Regarding renting a place, I'm at a loss. What kinds of questions should I ask, and what should I look out for? What kinds of things should I look out for in the lease? Tips please!

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    God/dess Corgan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roommate/lease help

    make sure you know her complete name, cell #, emergency contacts etc in case of emergency.

    also, ask about a pet policy. do you have one? does she?

    will she mind your work hours?

    does she do illegal activities you don't agree with?

    does she have children? boyfriend?

    make sure you get a copy of a lease agreement, no matter what. that way if she fucks you, you can sue. or if she tries to sue you, you have proof that you followed rules. (yes, i love judge shows. can you tell?)

  3. #3
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Roommate/lease help

    Get in writing the agreement of how bills will be split.

    Gas, electric, internet, cable
    Will this be a 50/50 split?
    When is the bill due?
    If the bills are in her name and you will be paying her the money for the bills, get a reciept every time you pay her, or write her a check so you have records.

    What about food?
    Will you shop together and have an open fridge, or shop seperatly and keep food seperate?

    What is the boyfriend policy?
    You want to know if you can expect to wake up in the morning and see random different men comming out of the bathroom...or if she has one steady guy who stays there 5 nights a week. If she has a steady guy sleeping over more than half the time..he either needs to be kickign in for the bills, or you should be paying less.

    What about parties?
    Does she have them? How often? Illegal drugs involved?

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    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roommate/lease help

    Will you be helping decorate? I moved in with roomies that would not let me leave ANYTHING in the livingroom, but they were allowed to do whatever they wanted. grr

    What about cleanliness, dishes, sweeping, bath room clean up.
    Also has she had roommates before?
    Please don't lick me, it tickles..



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    Default Re: Roommate/lease help

    Find out what the legal situation/requirements are for renting in your part of the world. There are requirements for return of deposits, rent books, etc. Make sure you know your legal rights.

    Be wary of situations where the girl is illegally sub-letting part of her house - this could come avout if she's renting it herself and there's a clause in her tenancy agreement stating she's not to sub-let. Find out if she owns or rents herself.

    Drive about in the area late one evening and check out the noise, presence of drunks, etc. You want to sleep, not get woken up by drunks/frequent late night parties, etc.

    Phil.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roommate/lease help

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post
    Get in writing the agreement of how bills will be split.

    Gas, electric, internet, cable
    Will this be a 50/50 split?
    When is the bill due?
    If the bills are in her name and you will be paying her the money for the bills, get a reciept every time you pay her, or write her a check so you have records.
    To take this one step further, I would say to get the bills...COPY them (photocopier) and write a check for 1/2 the bills and then another check for 1/2 the rent. On the check you give her for the bills, make a notation which bills are included in that check...and then on YOUR copy of the bills, write the date you gave her the check, the check number and the amount. Keep a copy of your check stapled to all of the bills on that check.

    I know it sounds like a lot of paperwork...however, I can tell you first hand that this comes in handy in case said roommate tries to sue you over "unpaid bills". (I had that happen and my roomie at the time did not know I kept such immaculate records. Not only did the judge scream at her, but fined her as well for wasting the courts time. heh).

    Keep your records...and never, ever, ever, ever pay anyone cash for anything. Never. Unless she buys you something at the store and you're just giving her cash...that's one thing...but all bills, rents, etc should always be in check form. Always.

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    God/dess Corgan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Roommate/lease help

    ^ excellent!

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