Real Estate Community Forum

I currently live with my parents and I have saved enough money to move out of the house. Since rent is so expensive, i have decided to get a roommate, which my parents disagree. They feel that a roommate will cause trouble such as having parties, keeping the place dirty, and not being responsible to pay their portion of the rent. Is there anything that I can do to protect myself from letting any of these or other problems from happening?

Since you are considering getting a roommate to cut down on the expenses, I strongly suggest that you consider having your roommate sign a contract explaining what his or her guidelines are for living in the apartment. The purpose of this is to protect you if there is a disagreement between the two of you or if the argument gets so big you are forced to take the roommate to court. Having a signed contract will look more favorable court and you are more likely to win the judges decision.

I had a roommate when I lived in college and I hated it. It was a terrible experience. My roommate was very messy and never washed her dishes, cleaned the bathroom, or put her stuff away. I liked to keep the apartment nice and clean.

In addition, another problem that you might have is a roommate who doesn't pay her bills. This is a major problem because if she doesn't pay then the responsibility falls on you. I would strongly suggest that you rethink your decision to get a roommate. It could be the best decision you ever make.

I had a few roommates over the years and one of the best benefits of having a roommate is the amount of money you save on rent and utility bills. I suggest if you are going to have a roommate that you set the rules down first. These include everything from how to split up the utility bills, when payment is due, how the responsibility of cleaning the apartment will be determined. Although you may feel a bit uncomfortable telling someone about these guidelines, it is a way to save guard you if something were to happen.

Why would anyone want a roommate? You just setting yourself up for disaster. If you don't believe me, just watch the court TV shows that they have out. There have been so many cases between two roommates who are there to settle their disputes over rent, bills, loud parties, friends coming over, damages that were done to the apartment, etc. I wouldn't want to go through the drama of arguing with a roommate. My theory is, if you can't afford to move into an apartment by yourself, then you shouldn't be moving out at all. Save your money and live at home till your on your feet and can afford your own apartment. Trust me, it's well worth the wait.

Having a roommate is an excellent idea. One of the benefits of having a roommate is having someone share the living expenses and having a companion around. Everyone wants to have someone around to talk to and share stories with.

When I was in college, my roommate and I had the best time living together under one roof. There were no more excuses to sit at home alone. In fact, we had a blast going out to bars together and talking about the events of the previous night out. The stories we shared were so memorable. I cherish our time together and I would do it all over again.

When you are interviewing a roommate, have your parents or a friend be there so they can voice their opinion as to whether the roommate appears trustworthy and a good candidate. I strongly suggest during the interview that you discuss your rules on smoking, neatness, TV, loud music, overnight guests, division of expenses and housekeeping chores, etc. This all needs to be expressed to avoid any misunderstandings. In fact, you should write all of the rules on a piece of paper so your roommate doesn't forget them. You should also stress the importance of solving any problems that come up in the future. Keeping annoyances inside is not a good for any relationship.

It is pretty natural to think that getting a roommate is the answer to save you some money on your rent and allow you to live in a better area than you could otherwise afford. HOWEVER, you have to remember that you are going to actually live day in and day out with this person. that will impact your quality of life more than location, finish level, and amenities at some property. I can't stress it enough after having had my fair share of roommates while renting. And guys, your wife doesn't count as a roommate. You're stuck living with her...

-s
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