What should I do about this roommate situation?

Question

Ok here's the deal. I'm 20 and recently my mom moved out of our 3 bedroom apartment. So okay, she told me to get roommates so I could afford the place. Well after 2 months and about 5 test-run losers that never paid, I now have a couple and a guy living with me.

The couple was great for the first couple of weeks but now they are lazy as hell! They leave food all over that attracts ants and then when I spray the ants she says I'm going to poison her cat.

All of the other things they do are minor but add up to be extremely irritating.
-eat my food and not replace it
-leave food out and open so it goes bad/gets attacked by ants
-leaves their crap everywhere like a child would
-run the AC in the middle of the night
-trash the guest bathroom that they share

They are the same age as me so I guess they think it isn't a big deal, but when I mention it they say smart a$$ comments like "yes mommy." Should I address each problem as it happens or wait and hit them with a list??

Answer 1

I would mention everything "informally" as it happens, then hit them with a list. However, after you give them the list, you have to make sure they follow it, so mention everything afterwards, and make sure they do it. Remember, it's your apartment, and you're the one that can kick the others out if they don't follow your rules. Of course, you want to all try to reach an understanding of the rules if you're going to live together (maybe host a meeting?) If they don't like it, they'll leave. If they cooperate, everything will be fine.

Answer 2

Not a biggy,
You dont need 3 bedroom apartment, so move out. Make a list of all these "extremely irritating" behaviors and when you interview possible roomates, list them and ask them if they do any of these.

But if this isnt do-able and you have to live in that apartment. Schedule a meeting. Just be up front about how you feel about it, saying its rude (irritating is ignorable). Say what you want done about it.

I would personally nail them on it as it goes along, but with a more than one roomate... a meeting is in order.
Ask them how they feel about the mess, and (like dieting)
getting it done is not about will power... its about habits and
(even harder) keeping those habits. Set up a system to go into effect the next time someone messes up.

And I dont know what you are using as ant-deterrent, but simply windexing the ant trail will take care of the ants following others in... if windex doesnt kill lone ant, squish. Windex contains ammonia, but its MUCH safer than bugspray.

Personally, the "yes mommy thing proves they are not ready to live in an apartment... kick them out"

I am guessing you arent confronting them about this and threatening to kick them out, so just stop the whole passive-aggressive go behind their backs and do what needs to be done thing. You are all living together and they need to pull their weight.

Scare Tactic: Put ad in for roomates... show these new people the others' rooms if they arent compliant. Make them know you are serious.

Good luck,
M

Answer 3

How is the guy that lives with you? Is he messy and irritating as well? If not, you and the guy could team up to try to solve the problem in your apartment. You guys could decide whether you should sit down and have a talk with the couple and try to get them to change their ways, or try to find new roommates. Personally, I would kick out people like that - you've had to do it before, so couldn't you do it again? I wouldn't address each problem as it happens. Instead, I would have a talk with them as soon as possible. Remind them that it's your apartment, and you have the authority to kick out people who you don't think you can live with. Addressing each probably as it comes will seem annoying to them, so they'll be less likely to listen to you.

Answer 4

Ahhh, roommates - they're like devils walking around with halos.

I watch enough court TV to know that the best way to prevent these things from happening is HAVE IT IN WRITING and have all parties' signatures. You have to set the rules, leave no chance for these lazyasses to screw up. Have a written agreement or Terms of Lease, and always reserve the right to kick them out in the event you feel they are not following the terms. Kinda like what you see retail stores do - "Reserve the right to refuse service to ANYONE."

Haha, that Judge Judy quote above is funny. You can learn a lot from that lady - however mean she appears in court. :)

Answer 5

When you advertise that your looking for roomates you should be specific as to what you expect off the bat...never be too friendly so that they would think twice before being too comfortable. When you post on craigslist or whatever it is, you should state that you want professionals only that are considerate, responsible, clean and respectful. Oh yah and get those losers out of there, tell the once how you want things and if they dont change within 2 weeks (deadline) kick them out.

Answer 6

that is all about barriers, both actual and emotional. you aren't any more to blame for his thoughts or difficulty--that is the prospect you're taking once you get a roommate (i'm assuming you aren't any more breaking a employ. once you've a employ then you definately are resonsible to both pay the soundness or help stumble on a clean roommate.) i'd upload, besides the undeniable fact that, that employ or no, you're justified in getting outta ward off with the assult-like habit this bully has imposed on you. It sounds like you've tried to envision with him and that is fallen upon deaf ears. he's probable been guilted himself and that's his time-honored mode of operation. that would not advise you're able to cow-tow to it. back, do no longer enable him guilt you. you've not finished something incorrect. Set a own boundary that he received't impact you previous what you're truly to blame for.

Answer 7

It sounds as though you have rented a place that is allowing you to sublet to other renters? What does your contract with the landlords say about other renters staying with you? Did you make them sign any contract with you regarding these issues before you allowed them to move in? These are issues that are covered under contract laws of your state, check it out for your own good. Make your list, detail the issues, sit them down together and discuss it with them in an adult manner, give them the opportunity to "clean up" their act, if they are not willing to do this, give them a time limit and then if they still dont want to clean up, give them notice of eviction, make it legal if necessary for your own protection, thats why the questions regarding your contracts at the beginning. Ultimately, if you signed a contract to rent you will be the one held responsible for any and all damages that occur in your place unless otherwise stated in your contract. If the ant spray bothers her cat, have her keep her cat in her own room, or take all their food mess and put it on their bed, if they want to act like children, make them clean the mess up in their own beds

Answer 8

no, u need to get rid of them and get roommates that atleast r older than u or have good jobs and not in school. but if they r in school ask what their major is. the harder the major the more together they will be, the easier the major the more relax-a-dazagal they will be. ask interview questions cause u dont just anyone leaving with u. ask if they have any sibilings, did their mother do all the housework when they lived with her, do they know how to wash their clothes, do they know how to cook, how often are u suppose to clean the toilet, etc.

Answer 9

Establish ground rules which are sensible and make everyone's living experience more enjoyable. If someone can't comply, show them the door. Future roommates should be given a complete list of rules and sign it so they understand exactly what is expected of them.

Answer 10

Tell them you are going to hire a housekeeper to clean up after them. Therefore their rent will have to be raised. Sounds like you need new housemates. Get a deposit next time from those coming in with a clause that you can throw them out for x,y, and z reasons.