Buying A Home
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Roommate Dilemma!
Last year the hubs and I bought a house. We have two roommates at the moment while we finish renovating both our home and backyard which gives us the extra funds to do so.
While we don't mind the extra bodies we do mind that one continuously forgets to lock the door when coming home and leaves the window wide open (which is right next to the front door). Frankly, I'm getting a little irritated. Not only is it a safety issue, but it's just flat out common sense.
So here's my question. We're coming upon renewing the leases. Is it possible to charge a fee for every time a door or window is left open? Can I incorporate that into the new lease?
I need some advice!
Re: Roommate Dilemma!
Jeeze that's scary. Just curious, is the window and door leave opener a guy or gal? I'm asking because in my experience, guys tend not to care as much as girls do.
This is your home and your responsibility. Plus, you need to have your emotions feel satisified here. You definitely have legitimate concerns.
Have you verbally and in writing let this person know DIRECTLY that you are displeased with this issue? Have you had a serious conversation with him/her?
I think a fee is fine. But, do you even want them as a renter any longer? The fee issue can tick people off and they might just be jerks and do it to annoy you.
check your state laws because you may not be able to legally add a fee for leaving door unlock/window open.
I would definitely have a conversation with them about this issue and let them know this is unacceptable. Maybe a small sign on the door as a reminder "please be sure to lock door and close window".
It's a guy and unfortunately a friend of ours. We've told him numerous times. I'm not sure how to go about sitting him down and having a serious conversation.
I'm so torn on what to do and I know my husband is getting annoyed as well.
You ask him what time he has to sit down with you and DH. Don't invade his space at an ackward time. You invite him to your "place." Have a beer and just lay it out.
"Steve, we need to ask if you still want to live here. We're asking because if you do, then you need to lock the door and window. This is a big safety concern and we don't want our stuff, your stuff or Susie's stuff stolen. We can't afford for our homeowner's insurance rates to rise if we have a claim and we need you on board with this if you want to live here. If you can't make this work, then you need to move."
You can be friendly and direct. And honestly, if he is a jerk about it then he probably isn't a good renter or friend anyway.
I'm going to guess you can't write that kind of fee into a lease and really how could you even monitor that? I guess google tenant laws in your state.
This is how you have a conversation: " Friend, we don't want our sh!t stolen or someone to come walking in the door. Lock up before you go". Or "okamanda comes home from work when it's dark and has noticed the door is almost always unlcked. She kind of freaks out thinking someone may be inside so lock up before you head out".
It sounds like DH is close with this guy so maybe put it on him to bring it up.
I wish I could like that post! Thank you for your advice, being a young first time home owner..it really helped and I plan on doing exactly that.
Thank you!
Any other suggestions are still welcome!
This doesn't make it about you being the big mean baddies. It's about hold HIM to some basic responsibilities and if HE can follow through, then it's on HIM when he has to move.
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DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
Well, you have to check tenant laws to see how much you can raise his rent. In my city it's only 2.5% per year. In a neighboring city, it's 10% per year.
If this guy is paying $500, let's say, to rent a bedroom, 2.5% is only $12.50. Hardly enough to entice someone to move (especially given that 2.5% is around the price of inflation). Ten percent would be $50, so maybe a little more, but he probably won't feel it for 2+ years when he decides he might be able to get a better deal somewhere else. Oh, and OP, if you're already cutting him a good deal because he's a friend? He has even less incentive to move out and pay market rates.
How is he leaving the door/window open? Is he the last one to leave for work in the morning? Can anyone else adjust their schedule to make sure everything is locked up before the house is vacated? Is it before he goes to bed at night? If that's the case, again, can one of you check it before going to bed? My husband and I keep the doors locked at all times, but we still double check them before we go to sleep.
Also, you say you need the rental income to do property upgrades. If you DO get him to move out, how does this effect your bottom line? Would you still be able to renovate, or would you have to find another tenant (possibly even worse than this guy) and hold off on projects until you do?
40/112
In the state where we have rental property (a state that has adopted the Uniform Landlord-Tenant Act, so it's likely other states have similar provisions), you can make up whatever rules you want so long as they meet these guidelines:
Like others have said, check your landlord-tenant laws.
And yes, respectfully, put on your big girl panties and have a talk with him. You're a homeowner - you can have a talk with someone in your home
Oh, and regarding raising the rent, the PP who posted about 2.5% and 10% lives in one of the most highly regulated states in the nation, so if you live in a rural area (or really, any of the 48 less regulated states - NY being the other), you can probably forget that as a consideration, but again, check your local laws. Where we own the property, there are no laws regarding raising rent.
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I don't think you can do a fee for each occurance but I do think that it could be reasonable grounds for eviction. It is a safety and security issue and they are not protecting the property. Just my opinion. Read over your lease and consult your local real estate laws.
Sorry for the aggrevation, I hope everything works out.
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