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Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:07 pm  |
I just posted an ad on Craigslist to rent out a spare bedroom in my house. I would like to hear from people who have done this before. How did you make sure you get a good renter? One who would not go psycho on you as this person will be sharing living spaces with me and my two kids and my puppy. In my ad, I asked for a female, non-smoker, sober, and drug-free person.
Is there a good rental application you have used I can get a hold of online? |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:33 pm |
I'd ask for a very very very cute single male  . |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:36 pm |
One who can puppysit and make sure she does not get in trouble? LOL
Actually I asked for one female renter only, so I guess a male would not respond to my ad, and if I ever rented my room to a male, my bf would frown over that!
I already got a response! WOW, Craigslist is fast. This person wants to rent my room just so she can enroll her kids in S.Pas before her actual move from NY to LA this summer. So she'll be a phantom renter for a few months. She said she'd be in LA for just a day. |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:42 pm |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
One who can puppysit and make sure she does not get in trouble? LOL
Actually I asked for one female renter only, so I guess a male would not respond to my ad, and if I ever rented my room to a male, my bf would frown over that!
I already got a response! WOW, Craigslist is fast. This person wants to rent my room just so she can enroll her kids in S.Pas before her actual move from NY to LA this summer. So she'll be a phantom renter for a few months. She said she'd be in LA for just a day. |
Can't get any better than that! |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:53 pm |
C, the best roommates I've ever had were male (except for my ex-fiance, but that's a whole other Oprah!), and both of them were young and cute! That's just an aside - they were really great guys, both very educated (one from Harvard, the other from Carnegie-Mellon), professional careers, nice as could be, etc., and one in particular was strong as an ox, so he could lift heavy things when I needed him to! I miss them both.
The worst roommates I ever had were female. I hate to bash the sisterhood, but sometimes girls can just be stupid and bat-sh!t crazy. I have also had some awesome female roommates, but when you get a bad one, step back! So, what I'm trying to say is that females are not always best, and males are not always creeps. But you do have to watch out.
I happen to have a fail-proof radar - my gut instinct. It is never wrong. The only time I have problems is when I don't listen to my gut and go against what it tells me. If you have highly-tuned intuition, you can pretty much rely on what your feelings are when you meet a person.
I would recommend getting a security deposit (of AT LEAST one month's rent) from someone and a cleaning deposit (maybe $50 or so). That way, when they move out and invariably leave the place a mess, you can hire a cleaning person for $50-$75 to clean up. Get as much information from them as possible on a rental application (including Social Security # and * spam * #) and have them sign a rental agreement. Also, run a credit check and have them pay for it.
Good luck! |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:20 pm |
Mermaidgirl, you're right that some guys are very nice. For example, I'd love to have a roommate like my boyfriend - clean, responsible, pays rent on time, extremely nice. But I just don't know if I'd have the correct gut instinct, and then I have my two kids to worry about as well as the puppy. 
This is a bit of a scary experience for me. I have never rented out a room in my house before. So I need all the advice I can get. |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:22 pm |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
I already got a response! WOW, Craigslist is fast. This person wants to rent my room just so she can enroll her kids in S.Pas before her actual move from NY to LA this summer. So she'll be a phantom renter for a few months. She said she'd be in LA for just a day. |
sounds like your ad can come down!! |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:26 pm |
| Chrissie wrote: |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
I already got a response! WOW, Craigslist is fast. This person wants to rent my room just so she can enroll her kids in S.Pas before her actual move from NY to LA this summer. So she'll be a phantom renter for a few months. She said she'd be in LA for just a day. |
sounds like your ad can come down!! |
I wrote back to her, but she has not responded, and so far, no rent has been paid, so I can't bring down the ad just yet. :-P I hope it works out though. She sounds like the perfect renter. LOL Although somehow she thought I was advertising an apartment for rent, but I wrote back that I'm advertising a room for rent, and she cannot put the utility bill in her name, but I believe the school district accepts a phone bill including cell phone. |
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Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:23 pm |
bkkgirl I've been renting my basement apartment for the past 14 years and have had many tenants during that time, mostly positive thankfully  I get each applicant to fill out a form with the following information:
- current address;
- how long living there and if less than 3 years, previous address;
- reason for moving;
- DOB and Social Security # (needed for credit check);
- current employer, how long?
- banking information;
- 3 References* + former landlord/lady;
* References are primarily in the event they skip owing rent and you need to get a search going on them - usually their referees know where they are 
You MUST meet them face to face, don't agree to anything without going through this process. Be sure to check ALL their information to make sure they're not lying to you. I couldn't count the # of applicants I've had over the years that seemed perfect, but when I started digging and checking them out they out and out lied to me:shock: Don't take them on face value - nothing could be worse than being stuck with a psycho, drunk, drug addict, dead beat and not being able to get rid of them!
Finally, really think this through. Are you absolutely SURE you can live at such close quarters with a perfect stranger, who WILL (at best) have some habits that aren't compatable with yours  |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:04 am |
| anya wrote: |
bkkgirl I've been renting my basement apartment for the past 14 years and have had many tenants during that time, mostly positive thankfully I get each applicant to fill out a form with the following information:
- current address;
- how long living there and if less than 3 years, previous address;
- reason for moving;
- DOB and Social Security # (needed for credit check);
- current employer, how long?
- banking information;
- 3 References* + former landlord/lady;
* References are primarily in the event they skip owing rent and you need to get a search going on them - usually their referees know where they are
You MUST meet them face to face, don't agree to anything without going through this process. Be sure to check ALL their information to make sure they're not lying to you. I couldn't count the # of applicants I've had over the years that seemed perfect, but when I started digging and checking them out they out and out lied to me:shock: Don't take them on face value - nothing could be worse than being stuck with a psycho, drunk, drug addict, dead beat and not being able to get rid of them!
Finally, really think this through. Are you absolutely SURE you can live at such close quarters with a perfect stranger, who WILL (at best) have some habits that aren't compatable with yours |
Anya, THANK YOU for your advice. I will either create a rental application in Word, or I will look for one online.
I've been thinking about the question you presented. I think I have to meet the person and see how she strikes me. I'm apprehensive about it for sure. I might not go through with it, or if the phantom renter works out, then I will rent the room to her. She'll move out here from NY to LA in July or August. |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:04 am |
Get references and check them before taking anyone in.
I had horrible experiences with renting out a room in my flat years ago, one girl you could always tell when she had her period (use your imagination), another was a drunk and went out got herself completely plastered one night then bought 6 guys back to the flat at 2am! Fortunately I was able to throw the guys out before they did something to her! Another had a friend that claimed she was haunted, whenever she came over to visit weird things would happen, ie things turning on or stopping working! And the last one had just left home for the first time, didn't have a clue how to look after herself. I found her cooking a WHOLE cauliflower to death in my best saucepan, she hadn't even cut it up, the same girl spotted some water that had leaked from our fridge but instead of mopping it up, she left it there, didn't even think to tell me. I came in from work, walked into the kitchen slipped and fell straight through a glass door!!
SO whatever you do, check them out very carefully! |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:04 am |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
and then I have my two kids to worry about as well as the puppy.
This is a bit of a scary experience for me. I have never rented out a room in my house before. So I need all the advice I can get. |
Why would having a man be a worry more than a woman? |
_________________
my new jewellery website:www.gentle-medusa.com |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:05 pm |
| guapagirl wrote: |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
and then I have my two kids to worry about as well as the puppy.
This is a bit of a scary experience for me. I have never rented out a room in my house before. So I need all the advice I can get. |
Why would having a man be a worry more than a woman? |
I'm 5'1, 102 lbs. I'm pretty tiny compared to most women, and all men. I have not yet mastered my kung-fu skills. |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:08 pm |
| sarahb wrote: |
Get references and check them before taking anyone in.
I had horrible experiences with renting out a room in my flat years ago, one girl you could always tell when she had her period (use your imagination), another was a drunk and went out got herself completely plastered one night then bought 6 guys back to the flat at 2am! Fortunately I was able to throw the guys out before they did something to her! Another had a friend that claimed she was haunted, whenever she came over to visit weird things would happen, ie things turning on or stopping working! And the last one had just left home for the first time, didn't have a clue how to look after herself. I found her cooking a WHOLE cauliflower to death in my best saucepan, she hadn't even cut it up, the same girl spotted some water that had leaked from our fridge but instead of mopping it up, she left it there, didn't even think to tell me. I came in from work, walked into the kitchen slipped and fell straight through a glass door!!
SO whatever you do, check them out very carefully! |
Sarah, wow, talking about scary experiences. The haunted girl made me laugh, but I'm sure I would not be laughing if I had to deal with her. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. This is why I am not too comfy about renting the room out.
Just to update, there's another person who responded. She lives in La Vern, but works in Lincoln Hts, which is much closer to my house than to hers. So she wanted to rent the room, so she could have a choice not to go home if she's too tired to drive. Her daughter lives down the street from me, but I guess she doesn't want to impose on her daughter and family all the time. She works as a VP at a non-profit org. So if her story checks out, this may be a good thing. She is a mature lady. |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:29 pm |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
Sarah, wow, talking about scary experiences. The haunted girl made me laugh, but I'm sure I would not be laughing if I had to deal with her. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. This is why I am not too comfy about renting the room out.
Just to update, there's another person who responded. She lives in La Vern, but works in Lincoln Hts, which is much closer to my house than to hers. So she wanted to rent the room, so she could have a choice not to go home if she's too tired to drive. Her daughter lives down the street from me, but I guess she doesn't want to impose on her daughter and family all the time. She works as a VP at a non-profit org. So if her story checks out, this may be a good thing. She is a mature lady. |
I personally would never do it again, but if you HAVE to rent out the room, do check everything you possibly can beforehand. I don't know if the regulations are the same where you are, but over here, if you've got a weirdo you can't just kick them out, they have rights.
Until you live with someone you don't know their personal habits, whether they like to shower at 3am, 'steal' your food, take over the TV, go through your personal belongings when you're not there etc and that could be the nice quiet professional person. Good luck. |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:40 pm |
Sarah - Thank you again. I agree with you that if I could do it without a renter, it would be much much better. It's tough being a single mom with two kids with an ex who put me through a custody lawsuit for nothing last year, and the bills are catching up with me. And ahem...not to mention all these new lotions and potions I just HAVE TO TRY!!!  I have not even bought a full size of anything except the skinbio stuff. If I got a good renter, I can finally buy some PSF stuff and more Candy's stuff to try, not to mention Carekate, I-Feel-Pretty, and Perfect Complexion, etc. hehe |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:00 pm |
| Years ago when I was young and first married we had a guy lodge with us. He was fine quiet and hardly ever there. No problems. After he left we used to have young foreign students they each only stay for a couple of weeks at a time. The language school sorts it out & if you have any problems they will move the students to another home. I don't suppose you have schemes like that in the US. |
_________________
50, happy reluma user started 16.6.12 original formula. PMD user. started LouLou's ageless regime. |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:03 pm |
| loopylori wrote: |
| Years ago when I was young and first married we had a guy lodge with us. He was fine quiet and hardly ever there. No problems. After he left we used to have young foreign students they each only stay for a couple of weeks at a time. The language school sorts it out & if you have any problems they will move the students to another home. I don't suppose you have schemes like that in the US. |
That's a very interesting idea. I like foreign exchange students. I used to see an ad on how to become a host family. The only problem is I won't be able to feed them as I'm having trouble feeding my kids (finding time to cook for them and myself). However I'll try to look into it again and maybe they will know how to cook their own food! |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:30 pm |
bkkgirl Lori's idea is a good one. I know someone who's done that several times and its worked out really well. Only thing is that you have to provide breakfast and dinner. Another alternative might be to check with your local Community College (or whatever is the equivalent where you live) and see if you could rent to a student. I did that when I lived in a 2 bed condo (before I got my house) and it worked out really well. They spend their evenings in their room studying and usually take off on Friday nights and go home until Sunday night - so you'd have your house to yourself over the weekend
Another couple of things I would add to my previous post are:
- use reverse look up on any phone #'s they give you to make sure the addresses/names correspond;**
- ask for details on their annual salary;
- and, if you can't find a rental application on line let me know and I can email you one - send me a PM with your email address;
** One of my prospective tenants gave me her monther's tel. # as her landlord!!!
Oh and this might seem a bit "off the wall", but if your new puppy takes to them, that could be a good sign - animals have an uncanny ability to suss out "weirdos" |
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Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:31 pm |
| bkkgirl wrote: |
| loopylori wrote: |
| Years ago when I was young and first married we had a guy lodge with us. He was fine quiet and hardly ever there. No problems. After he left we used to have young foreign students they each only stay for a couple of weeks at a time. The language school sorts it out & if you have any problems they will move the students to another home. I don't suppose you have schemes like that in the US. |
That's a very interesting idea. I like foreign exchange students. I used to see an ad on how to become a host family. The only problem is I won't be able to feed them as I'm having trouble feeding my kids (finding time to cook for them and myself). However I'll try to look into it again and maybe they will know how to cook their own food! |
We had some lovely ones actually and my children loved having them stay.
 about the cooking. Maybe you could even get them to cook for you, that would be a good deal. |
_________________
50, happy reluma user started 16.6.12 original formula. PMD user. started LouLou's ageless regime. |
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Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:37 am |
| anya wrote: |
bkkgirl Lori's idea is a good one. I know someone who's done that several times and its worked out really well. Only thing is that you have to provide breakfast and dinner. Another alternative might be to check with your local Community College (or whatever is the equivalent where you live) and see if you could rent to a student. I did that when I lived in a 2 bed condo (before I got my house) and it worked out really well. They spend their evenings in their room studying and usually take off on Friday nights and go home until Sunday night - so you'd have your house to yourself over the weekend
Another couple of things I would add to my previous post are:
- use reverse look up on any phone #'s they give you to make sure the addresses/names correspond;**
- ask for details on their annual salary;
- and, if you can't find a rental application on line let me know and I can email you one - send me a PM with your email address;
** One of my prospective tenants gave me her monther's tel. # as her landlord!!!
Oh and this might seem a bit "off the wall", but if your new puppy takes to them, that could be a good sign - animals have an uncanny ability to suss out "weirdos" |
I got a pretty good rental application and I emailed it to this lady who called about the room. She lives in La Verne and works just down the street from me. She owns her own house in La Verne, so there's no reference regarding her previous rental. I checked her application, and will run a credit report based on her SSN. She is in her late 50s and a VP at a non-profit org. I think she seems very nice and thoughtful as she gave me $15 for the credit check without me having to ask! She also left a $100 earnest deposit to show me that she was serious. I have a really good feeling about her, and she has a decent salary to ensure she'll be able to pay rent. I told her the first month could be a trial month, so if she didn't like it (hates living with a new pup, for ex), she could move out without having to give me a month notice. But otherwise, it would be 30 days advance notice. I am asking for first, last month rents, and security deposit upon signing a rental agreement. She'll only stay at my house on the weekdays. Her husband asked if I could lower the rent as he felt it was too pricey. LOL I think her husband seemed a little more problematic.
My puppy met both her husband and herself, and she had the same expression as when she met everyone else. Maybe she's too young! |
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Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:24 am |
I expect serial killers and pedophiles seem lovely at first! Credit checks don't show whether someone has annoying habits or likes to snoop or kick your dog whilst you're not looking!
I don't wish to put you off, just be careful.
It's completely different renting out a second home that you don't live in and renting out a room in a home you do! |
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Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:11 pm |
| sarahb wrote: |
I expect serial killers and pedophiles seem lovely at first! Credit checks don't show whether someone has annoying habits or likes to snoop or kick your dog whilst you're not looking!
I don't wish to put you off, just be careful.
It's completely different renting out a second home that you don't live in and renting out a room in a home you do! |
Well, I hope she's not a serial killer, and my gut tells me she's not. Will she have annoying habits? That remains to be seen. I told her the first month is a trial month for both of us. She might hate living with me, my two kids, and the new pup, too. She's almost old enough to be my mom, so I just hope she won't be bossy. It will be interesting indeed to share my house for the first time with a stranger, but the fact that she will only be at my house during the weekdays helps me feel better somehow. |
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Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:30 pm |
Now might be a good time to draw up a list of "House Rules" bkkgirl. Even though they aren't enforcable, it will give her some boundaries that she can either live with, or not, but better to clear it up now rather than later. Have her sign it if she agrees and don't be intimidated just coz she's old enough to be your mother, you know what PITA's mothers can be  |
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Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:27 pm |
| anya wrote: |
| Now might be a good time to draw up a list of "House Rules" bkkgirl. Even though they aren't enforcable, it will give her some boundaries that she can either live with, or not, but better to clear it up now rather than later. Have her sign it if she agrees and don't be intimidated just coz she's old enough to be your mother, you know what PITA's mothers can be |
Oh dear! I have not thought of that. We did discuss whether she could use my fridge to store her food, but I haven't thought too much beyond that. I still have to run her credit report. I guess I have to call Equifax tomorrow to see if they can help me. |
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