Renting rooms

[dm_gsxr]

With the reduction in finances, I've posted an ad on Craigslist for a couple of room mates. I checked the prices in the area and then posted the ad. Since it's a big house, I also said that one of the living rooms will be empty and can be used as storage or even a living room for a bit extra and I have an extra garage space. I said the rooms would be available Sept 1st.

Got an email last night from someone who just moved to the area and needed a room (I posted yesterday morning). Even with Sept 1st, he wanted to check. I could get a room emptied quickly enough for a Saturday move but the next month would be a little hectic with all the packing and such.

But while it's interesting to get the immediate response, the one this morning was more interesting. He wanted to rent the living room. I replied with my apologies for the misunderstanding

This'll be interesting

Carl

[JonS]

Good luck. Having room mates is hard, to say the least.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

I hope you are requiring a security deposit and I'd even tell them they need to bring a criminal history check with them.  Also, check with the law in your area regarding evicting someone.  This can be pretty tough and something you'll likely need to do at so,me point.

[coho]

Good luck. Having room mates in hard.

Roommates are people who share possession of a house or apartment. Carl is taking in boarders, ie. people who will live in his house.

The power dynamic is different, and will attract a different kind of applicant.

[dm_gsxr]

I hope you are requiring a security deposit and I'd even tell them they need to bring a criminal history check with them.  Also, check with the law in your area regarding evicting someone.  This can be pretty tough and something you'll likely need to do at so,me point.

Yep, getting a background check, I checked the local ordinances, will get a security deposit and first month up front.

Carl

[dm_gsxr]

Roommates are people who share possession of a house or apartment. Carl is taking in boarders, ie. people who will live in his house.

The power dynamic is different, and will attract a different kind of applicant.

Right and I said that in the ad. The first guy is an IBMer, the second a professional musician, graduate of CU Boulder. Both are interested in the living room so we'll see how it shakes out. IBMer is coming by this afternoon.

Carl

[black hills]

I shared a bog old house with 2 other guys in the late 80's, they are still 2 of my best friends

[caasland]

Pick the IBM'r. Consistent income and not likely to play musical instruments until 3am. Also not likely to have parties until 3am ....

Can you put a clause in the lease to have a 1-month probation in case you don't like them?

[dm_gsxr]

Since the room(s) aren't technically available until Sept 1st, I have plenty of time. The IBMer did stop by and was interested but he also had a couple of other places he was checking out. I told him I did need to run a background check so if he wanted to get in Saturday, he'd have to make up his mind pretty quickly as I don't know how long it takes for a check to complete. I'm thinking of running one on myself just to see how long and to see what they find

Carl

[Carbonero]

With the reduction in finances, I've posted an ad on Craigslist for a couple of room mates. I checked the prices in the area and then posted the ad. Since it's a big house, I also said that one of the living rooms will be empty and can be used as storage or even a living room for a bit extra and I have an extra garage space. I said the rooms would be available Sept 1st.

Got an email last night from someone who just moved to the area and needed a room (I posted yesterday morning). Even with Sept 1st, he wanted to check. I could get a room emptied quickly enough for a Saturday move but the next month would be a little hectic with all the packing and such.

But while it's interesting to get the immediate response, the one this morning was more interesting. He wanted to rent the living room. I replied with my apologies for the misunderstanding

This'll be interesting

Carl

I lived in a shared living house like that right after I moved out of the house while getting finances together and getting the divorce going.

I actually grew to like it quite a bit; everyone kinda stayed out of each others' way, but still all got along well.

It was pretty cool.

[sfalexi]

I lived in a shared living house like that right after I moved out of the house while getting finances together and getting the divorce going.

I actually grew to like it quite a bit; everyone kinda stayed out of each others' way, but still all got along well.

It was pretty cool.

I also rented a room for a few months (about 6 months) while, ironically, ALSO going through a divorce.  It was cheap, utilities included, and no maintenance required.  Just had to figure out when was the best time for me to snag a shower and I stayed in my room alot and just kept to myself.

It can be a good thing, and I'm sure there are more instances than not when everything works out fine and you just kinda stay out of each other's ways.  But do check what you can do to kick someone out.  Might be as easy as waiting till their gone and changing the locks, or it might have to be more involved, but you want to know your "escape" if you need one.

[satxbonneville]

I'm thinking of running one on myself just to see how long and to see what they find
Carl

Are you prepared to ask yourself to move out if you uncover a checkered past?  

[napper]

I shared a bog old house with 2 other guys in the late 80's, they are still 2 of my best friends

I shared a big old house with one of my best friends for a couple of years in the early 90's.  I haven't spoken to that prick in 18 years.

[dm_gsxr]

Are you prepared to ask yourself to move out if you uncover a checkered past?  

Absolutly. You can't have an undesirable sharing a room.

[cultureslayer]

Make sure you talk about food rules and beer sharing.  This can make things go south quickly if you aren't on the same page.

I also learned the hard way that you need to say "absolutely no smoking anywhere, including outside" instead of just "non-smoking"  I have severe allergies and one idiot moved out without notice after I told him that because he was smoking on the patio.  If you don't want someone dragging smoke into your house or leaving butts outside I'd suggest making a firm stand on the issue in the ad.

[dm_gsxr]

Hey, if you want to share a place

http://boulder.craigslist.org/roo/3116746128.html

Greetings,

I'm a 55 year old, male computer professional and work in Longmont. I'm pretty friendly and laid back and will roll with most things. I am an early morning person getting up at around 4am during the week and closer to 7am on weekends but I'm quiet and respectful of others in the house.

On the personal activities front, I play a guitar, ride a sport bike, and play games (role playing, computer, card, board). I'm also a computer geek and enjoy "quiet" time working on personal computer projects (I say "quiet" because I enjoy playing music when I "work"). I have wood working tools in the garage as well as a set of mechanics tools so I occasionally will build or work on something. I don't smoke or drink and I have an older (and very friendly) female tuxedo cat. In addition to riding a motorcycle, I also will go for bicycle rides from time to time but I'm not an enthusiast (I ride to have fun, not train).

I'm looking to rent two unfurnished upstairs bedrooms (11x11 each) in my house in northwestern Longmont in which I will also be living. It's a 3,000 sq ft ranch with a basement (1500 up, 1500 down). The house is in a quiet neighborhood and the back porch is large with shade and plenty of seating. I have a new washer and dryer in the laundry room. For a bit extra, you can add the front living room (13x19) and/or a space in the garage. You'll be sharing the upstairs full bathroom.

Due to the age of my cat, I'm going to have to go with a No Pets policy at this time. In addition, no smokers please, inside or outside. I'm not adverse to either male or female room mates and age isn't that important. Being quiet and respectful of others and reasonably clean is more important.

The rent includes utilities up to what I'm currently paying and I'll ask that any water and electricity use above that will be paid by folks renting the room(s). So that means that the gas, electricity, water, and trash pickup are paid for. Wi-fi is available. There is no cable in either of the bedrooms however there's an active TV cable drop in the dining room and in the front living room that you can just plug into your cable ready TV.

The house does have central air as well as two fireplaces although I don't use them (the upstairs one is a gas fireplace). The windows in the two bedrooms were recently replaced with high efficiency windows. The back bedroom faces the back yard. The middle one (between the back bedroom and front Master bedroom) faces the side yard.

The rooms will be available not earlier than September 1st 2012. I'm asking for $500 a month for a bedroom, payment in advance and a $500 security deposit. The garage parking space can be had for an additional $25 a month. It's a nice neighborhood so a space in the garage isn't really required. The living room space can be had for another $150 a month. As with the bedroom, living room and garage rents are due up front but no additional needed for the security deposit. We can also work a deal if you want to rent the two bedrooms yourself as a a bedroom/office combo. I am flexible.

I'm also flexible with regards to length of time; month to month up to a 12 month agreement.

I intend on doing a background check and will have a room mate agreement you'll need to sign. I'll want to do an interview in person before accepting any room mates in part to make sure there are no personality conflicts.

If you'd like to discuss this further, please send me an e-mail with some details about yourself. Include any questions you might have and I'll answer them as best as I can. Please put Longmont Roommate in the subject line of your e-mail so I can filter out the spammers and scammers.

If you're the first responder to the ad, you'll have your choice of which room as well as whether you want to rent the living room and/or garage space.
Thanks for checking this ad out and hope to hear from you.

Note: I will delete the ad once I get room mates so if you can see this on Craigslist, at least one of the rooms is still available.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

On the personal activities front, I play a guitar, ride a sport bike, and play games (role playing, computer, card, board). I'm also a computer geek and enjoy "quiet" time working on personal computer projects (I say "quiet" because I enjoy playing music when I "work"). I have wood working tools in the garage as well as a set of mechanics tools so I occasionally will build or work on something. I don't smoke or drink and I have an older (and very friendly) female tuxedo cat. In addition to riding a motorcycle, I also will go for bicycle rides from time to time but I'm not an enthusiast (I ride to have fun, not train).

Sounds more like you're looking for a date  

Seriously, maybe put this at the bottom of the ad. You're renting a room.

Oh, and this?  

The windows in the two bedrooms were recently replaced with high efficiency windows.

makes it sound like you're also trying to sell the place  


Good luck, Carl. Good to clarify the utilities, and be prepared to have back-bills to show average usage   (which I have no doubt that you have on hand, neatly filed away   )

[dm_gsxr]

Sounds more like you're looking for a date  

Seriously, maybe put this at the bottom of the ad. You're renting a room.

Yea, I was thinking this too but I wanted the potential roomie to know what he or she was getting in to. It's not like we won't be interacting, even if minimally.

Oh, and this?  

makes it sound like you're also trying to sell the place  

Well, it was added after I noted the utility bill thing. I figure they should know that the house is efficient so the addition to the bill wouldn't be crazy high (well as long as they don't leave the window open all the time).

Good luck, Carl. Good to clarify the utilities, and be prepared to have back-bills to show average usage   (which I have no doubt that you have on hand, neatly filed away   )

Technically Rita took care of the bills but yea, they're all tucked away in a file cabinet

Carl