I have a large house and live here alone. My 2 kids have moved out and I have 2 spare bedrooms. I do not want to move out or sell. I own the house and it has 3 bedrooms and a full kitchen and a family room.
I need some pro's and cons about room mates. I just think not being here alone all the time would be nice, or would it?
I dont want personal friends or smokers here. I work quite a bit and dont smoke, and really do not want smokers living here. Any thoughts on the subject?
2007-10-09 14:34:28 · 9 answers · asked by happydawg 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Expect problems.
How would you screen potential tenants? They are going to be in your house, amongst your things while you are not home. This is fine when you are in college and don't have anything. What about cherished heirlooms and such? Are you going to do background checks? Sign a lease?
Pro: It is nice to have someone to eat dinner with.
Con: Did your roommate eat all of your special dessert while you weren't home?
Pro: Help with bills.
Con: Do they leave the lights on all day?
Pro: Help with chores.
Con: Do they make more messes than they clean?
2007-10-09 14:42:02 · answer #1 · answered by godged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford it you should explore living alone. It is really not a bad thing and you can use up the extra space in ways that please you. If you are a reader, make one room your personal library. If you are a crafter, make a craftroom. If you are an artist make a studio. If you arent sure what you are, well then you have losts of space to explore new things and find out. Living alone can be a very fufilling thing, there is not rule that says a 3 bedroom house cant fit one person
If you really feel you must get a house mate make sure that you relate the house rules very clearly up front. You should see a lawyer to draw up a lease agreement so if things do not go well, your options are well spelled out. Things can be very pleasant with a housemate but they can also go very wrong and get messy
If it is just lonliness and not finances you are worried about, what about getting a pet, like a cat who would welcome you home.
2007-10-09 21:43:45 · answer #2 · answered by Bree Z 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only do it if you really need the extra money.
If you decide to do it, you will want to thoroughly check out any intrested house mate.
Do a credit check (to see if they pay their bills- no one wants collectors calling- plus they will need to pay you when money is due)
Do a criminal investigation- You can access public records in the counties this person has lived in, sometimes over the phone.
Get references- of friends and family and landlords.
You will be talking to people on the phone, so get as much info as you can that way. You will want thier phone number and address anyway.
Before you make any decision, pay an unexpected visit to thier place.
You will see what kind of conditions the place is kept in-
i.e. are the dishes piled up, is laundry laying on the sofa, is there animal messes, or is everything tidy and neat.
This was one of my best indicators. If you do not like what you see, they are simply off the list, you are not that desparate!
2007-10-09 21:51:41 · answer #3 · answered by Rev. Deb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be prepared to lose your privacy. It could be a good thing to have someone there, but it is your house. Now you will have to let them know and sort of get permission to have your children come and visit for the night or anything like that. It would be nice to have help on the bills, but get it ALL in writing. How much they pay, how often, when and if they can have people coming over or staying overnight etc. Dont be nosy, but make sure if they are staying up till 4 in the morning all the time and having a few people over that you have it in a contract that they can now be tossed out on their ***. Would work better if it was someone you know and could trust to not burn your house down or eat "your" food while you are gone.
2007-10-09 21:38:59 · answer #4 · answered by jade2311 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't allow a stranger to live with me male or female, I couldn't allow someone I dont trust to move in who would probably go through my stuff/steal when I am not around and if you get someone who has a partner they will probably be banging on in the room next door while you are all alone. I think it would be too much trouble to do this. Instead have a girls night at your week or socialise instead, but I think having total strangers is a no no unless you know someone or they someone. good luck
2007-10-09 21:38:55 · answer #5 · answered by Me, myself and I 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pros: someone to keep you company if you like them, help with your bills
Cons: getting an undesirable roommate who may not pay rent predictably, may run up your utility/phone/etc. bills, might be very messy or loud or have obnoxious friends or pets, may wear on your nerves and take away your privacy, or worse, may damage your property or steal.
I would avoid a roommate if you don't financially need one. How about getting a new hobby, traveling, or a pet? I think there are a lot of positive things you could do with your newly free time.
Good luck, and I hope this helps! :)
2007-10-09 21:46:36 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GOOD LUCK, having roommates is difficult especially all the bad habits they bring. Can you tollerate having someone clipping their tonails in your family room? Can you handle someone messing in the food in your fridge even when it has your name on it.
Unless it was a personal friend I would have to say DONT DO IT.
I had done the whole housemate thing and the extra money brought into the situation was not worth the headaches.
2007-10-09 21:37:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You put down the ground rules in writing . And have them sign these at a notary !! This way if they break them you have a legal recourse !!
2007-10-09 21:40:43 · answer #8 · answered by bigfred1954 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are looking for company then get a dog.
2007-10-09 21:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by bluealiens4erin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋