I'm 17 & will turn 18 at end of November. I am going to college 8 hours away & didn't want to live in a dorm room so my parents & I found an apartment and they cosigned the lease since I don't have a job or credit.
They wouldn't even let me have the apartment unless one of my parents were there with me for the few months I would still be a minor. My mom agreed to struggle for the months and signed the lease under her name and I would be a child living with her. When we got back, they called her work to find out her hours to find out if she really was going to live with me. She told them she was going to fly back for the weekends and even bought the plane tickets. Haven't heard from them for a while but they just called and it's less than a month I was supposed to move in, and they say I can't stay alone during weekends and will have to fly back with my mom! They even wanted to see my class schedule. Is it just this apartment that's doing this or am I going to expect this everywhere?
2007-07-14 20:02:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I first read this question from a 17 year old girl who wanted an apartment and the people who answered basically just said that parents need to cosign. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070705194958AAhsx5Q
I don't know why this place is going to great lengths to make sure that I'm not by myself. Is this the law or are they just being super cautious? Their requests are getting mad ridiculous. Also, this is in California, if that makes any difference.
2007-07-14 20:08:34 · update #1
The lease has already been signed but they keep calling asking for more and more. At the moment I have a month to look for a place to live (I'm looking for a room to rent in a house for the time being) and I'm finding it kind of hard. They wouldn't let me live with anyone else except my guardians. My boyfriend and cousin, both 18 are going to nearby schools so that would have helped. Is there any way I can get an apartment? (Obviously not with this apartment complex!)
2007-07-14 20:18:44 · update #2
Way too late to sign up for dorms.
2007-07-15 09:49:09 · update #3
everywhere
landlords in these towns have been burned many times. They aren't going to take a chance and have the opportunity arise for an underage party where no parental supervision will be.
17 year old students generally draw in 16 to 17 year old kids, mix with 18-19 drinkers - and you have a recipe for disaster.
any landlord worth their salt will demand these concessions.
I personally - will not rent to someone under the age of 21 unless their parents co-sign. I certainly will not rent period to someone under 18
2007-07-14 20:09:44 · answer #1 · answered by Mike Frisbee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
with you being a minor the apartment manager know or should know you can brake the lease as soon as you turn 18 and there is nothing that can be done about it. that's the biggest reason you needed a co-signer. since you and your mom signed the lease, the big question is did the apartment manager or landlord sign also. if it was signed by both parties (leasee and leasor) this is now an executed contract and is now legally binding. at this point it really doesn't matter what they ask for, the apartment is your for the duration of the lease according to the lease agreement and they CAN NOT change the rules in any way unless agreed upon or the current lease breaks existing state or local laws (unlikely). all that being said, why don't you just stay in the dorm your first year. you're going to have enough to worry about with studying and all the homework. besides, that first year in the dorm is a BLAST! i wouldn't give that experience up for anything. good luck.
2007-07-15 02:14:48 · answer #2 · answered by Leroy M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the lease has been signed and it does not specifically say that you cannot stay at the apartment without your parent then they cannot change the rules now. I think renting from them is going to be a huge problem for you, they are asking for info they have no right to ask for. But since you may not find another landlord willing to rent to you as a minor move in, do not do anything that will give them reason to accuse you of breaking the lease and hopefully they will see that renting to you was not a mistake.
2007-07-15 00:51:26 · answer #3 · answered by ebosgramma 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh sweetie...why in the world don't you want to live on campus your first year?
My freshman year of college was the BEST year of my life. You miss out on SO MUCH when you don't live on campus. Dorms are so much fun, and it's been 16 years since I have graduated from college, and my 4 closest friends are women that lived on my hall during my freshman year. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.
I would reconsider and live on campus..at least for a year. I can tell you first hand that your first year of college will be difficult enough, without having to figure out how to maintain a household on your own at the same time and managing all the bills...you will get PLENTY of practice on that after you graduate.
However, to answer your question, I think the people you rented from are fruit-loops. They are correct that it could be an issue with you being a minor b/c it's a liability on the landlord, even with a co-signer. I have a couple of townhomes near the college and my attorney highly advised me that even if parents paid the entire year in cash...to never allow minors to reside in the home alone.
However...all of the other information they are asking for, is not only illegal for them to ask for, it's none of their business.
PS: Please reconsider :)
2007-07-14 20:19:41 · answer #4 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They're pushing the limits of reasonableness, IMHO. As long as your Mom signed the lease you would be OK. However, they can set the rules so it may be best to find something else. But, if you've already signed a lease, unless the lease has those rules spelled out in it, they can't dictate when you or your mother choose to stay there.
2007-07-14 20:09:59 · answer #5 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
since you are only 17 unless you are one of those 17 going on thirty you would be much better off in the dorm the first year. if you in an apt -- i do not care if everything is furnish and they have the best maintenance man in the world be ready to still have to do certain things to keep it functioning. you do not need the additional problems. besides you have the hassle of getting back and forth to school and library etc.
cut a deal with your mom and the money she will save on airline tickets could make one heck of a spring break trip.
2007-07-22 14:01:26 · answer #6 · answered by mister ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Mary B-live in the dorms your first year, it is a great part of the college experience. If you don't really want a roommate, see if you can at least get a single room in the dorm. You are going to have nothing but trouble with your landlords, so get out now if you legally can.
2007-07-22 13:47:38 · answer #7 · answered by Sophiesmama 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You might find it every where, a minor should have an adult maybe you could find a 18 year old roommate.
2007-07-14 20:09:12 · answer #8 · answered by shipwreck 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Find another apartment, seriously.
2007-07-14 20:06:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋