This is MY house?

Question

My roommate and I own our house. I did not have the credit to secure the loan, but my roommate did. I, on the other hand put down $42,000 on the house that cost $129,000. He invites people to stay here and I disagree with that. I might conceed that I only own half of the home by the deed, but do I have the right to say who stays here? I do not pay the mortgage since I am not on the note, but without my substantial down payment, he would not have qualified for the loan. Both of our names are on the deed and in addition to the down payment on the property, I paid off his debts including his car. I pay all utilities and he pays the mortgage.

I do not want him to invite people to live here to "get themselves on their feet" in order to live in the city we live in. One is his brother and the other is a girlfriend. I did not sign up for that crap. I bought a home with one other person and do not want anyone else to live here.

Any advice?

Answer 1

My initial reaction is "This is OUR house" and you need to get on the same page or this will become unmanagably hostile.

You need to get around a table and commit to a set of rules that both of you will both be expected to abide by. Your roommate needs to hear that you don't want to be a flop house for those who need a place to stay. I'm sure the roommate has some gripes too that you will have to negotiate.

Answer 2

Dude.....

Yes, it is your house. I think you've let this go crazy out of control. You need to sit down with your roommate and set some new guidelines. It doesn't matter whose name is on the mortgage and he needs to respect that. I suggest that you start dividing the bills down the middle and you each put your share into a "house account".

Have all utitities, mortgages and maintenance paid from that account. When the time comes to sell, it will be easier to show where the money came from and where it went.