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Having a roommate after Marriage

My husband and I bought a house about a year and a half ago when we first got engaged.  We decided to have a roommate for a year to help with finances with the wedding planning.  The plan was that after we were married, our roomie would move out.  He has money management problems and we decided to let him stay 4 months longer than expected to help him out.  He also has a dog that is very old that stays at our house.  He is not the worst pet owner, but he doesn't treat the dog like family, which is how both my husband and I were raised to treat our dogs. These are a few of the little things that can be irritating when having a roommate.  Now that we are married, I feel like we are missing out on our 'newlywed' stage.  Yes of course we are still enjoying it but I feel like it could be so much better if we had the house to ourselves.  I can't walk around naked, or in lingerie for that matter, we can't have sex anywhere in the house except our bedroom, I constantly have to make sure when I change clothes that my door is shut, we can't cook a romantic dinner together without any interruptions.  Does anyone else see where I am coming from?  I feel bad because I said he could stay those extra 4 months, but now that we are married I feel like I robbed myself of 4 months of fun newlywed memories.  Any advice out there?

Re: Having a roommate after Marriage

  • How much longer is he expecting to stay? Are you or DH helping him find somewhere else to live? That would be my primary concern - if he has money problems, he might be the type to just ignore the deadline or wait until the last minute. Perhaps if he finds a place earlier he can move out earlier.
  • He is expecting to stay until end of January.  What you said is one of my biggest concerns - that he will wait until last minute and not save enough money and then we will be stuck with him for longer.  I want him to move out earlier now that we are in the situation, my predicament is that we already told him he could stay until January prior to being married.
  • I think you kind of have to wait till Jan. But if it were me I would be asking him daily if he's found a place/looking for a place/ mention places that are affordable that you saw on craigslist or in the paper..

    It might seem kind of annoying/demeaning, but you said yourself he has money issues, and being a bit annoying while at the same time giving him options might push him out that door a bit sooner, and even if it doesnt, then come January you can say 'look we have been trying to help you, looking up places for you, volunteering to go down and look at them with you etc, and you're still here, so sorry but you can't stay here anymore", without feeling guilty.

  • Money management problems?

    I'd have said no to the friend, based on that. Why take chances?

    Make sure he stays for the time that you allotted him, then say goodbye.

    And don't accommodate friends anymore, as roommates. Learn your lesson the hard way; write it off to experience.
  • He has money management problems? Whatevs. Give him 30 days and put your roomie out.

    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
    TTC since September 2012
  • I totally feel you! The DH and I have been married for a few years and and have had a house guest(I wouldn't call him a roommate since all he helps pay for are his food & the utilities that he uses) for a few months. He is staying until probably the end of the year.

    I think it might be easier for me to deal with is because the house guest is putting his life together, working at his first real job, learning how to live like an adult, etc. and he doesn't have anywhere else to go until he saves enough money.

     

    My advice: go on more dates, coordinate times where the roommate wouldn't be home for romantic dinners(you probably should still be covered up though in case he comes back early), book a night or two at a B&B, take a bubble bath.

    It usually the simple things that I cherish more with my husband. 

     

    As for the money management, you will have to evaluate if you're enabling him or helping him by letting him stay latter.

    Anniversary M/c 07.04.10 - m/c 02.14.11
  • Do you have anything in writing with him? If not, I'd get something in writing saying he's actually going to leave. If you make it business and not a favor any more you both have something to uphold and it would cause drafting a new lease extension for him to guilt you into more time.
  • imagetoothpastechica:

    I think you kind of have to wait till Jan. But if it were me I would be asking him daily if he's found a place/looking for a place/ mention places that are affordable that you saw on craigslist or in the paper..

    It might seem kind of annoying/demeaning, but you said yourself he has money issues, and being a bit annoying while at the same time giving him options might push him out that door a bit sooner, and even if it doesnt, then come January you can say 'look we have been trying to help you, looking up places for you, volunteering to go down and look at them with you etc, and you're still here, so sorry but you can't stay here anymore", without feeling guilty.



    This. When January rolls around and he still doesn't have a set plan, it sucks, and you want to feel bad, but you really can't if you've given him enough time and you've even helped with suggestions or whatever. His problems are not your fault. Don't give in to any guilt. 

    And another PP mentioned get it in writing.

    Approach him with an updated contract (if you originally had one) and make him sign it, understand that he and his belongings must be out on or before Thursday, January 31st, 2013 and he must leave his key. (I'd also consider changing your locks after he leaves and not telling him you're planning to do this). I would keep multiple copies of the contract - but put one in a place that everyone can see it (on the fridge, for example). 

  • I'm having the same issue as you right now, I married last month. I want my house and freedom back now and I feel bad kicking him out since he has money issues. I'd say we should stop being nice and just kick them to the curb : )
    Anniversary
  • Im glad I am not the only one who feels this way.  I mean there is a time to grow up and I feel like his time has come.  I don't want to be the bad guy but sometimes I feel like I just need to stand my ground.  If it was me in his position, I would have been gone a long time ago because I can respect that a newly married couple wants their house to themselves.  I think you are right...we need to stop being so nice and kick them to the curb :) Good luck with your situation as well...thanks for the input!
  • He is out and everything is returned to normal and its AMAZING!  My hubby and I have been getting along so much better and we are overall in a better mood :)  Thanks for the advice nesters!
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