Dont rent a room to a friend.

[investingnoob]

I didn't listen to everyone telling me, don't rent a room to a friend or family member...My friend ensured me he would make rent no matter what..
This friend of mine that I have known my whole life.
You know how everyone has that loser friend in their group? well he's mine.

He is 23 with no car, he just got laid off work, he goes to rehab for alcohol and domestic violence.. and I really don't know what to do.
I had him sign a lease when he moved in saying if I don't receive rent he is kicked out.
He has no money saved so I know he wont make rent.

To top it off, he doesn't even seem worried. He got laid off yesterday and decides to go out to dinner with his friends. Then today he goes golfing! Now if It were me I would be frantically looking for a job and applying everywhere all day long.

So when he can't make rent do I kick my own friend out? I really don't know what to do, he isn't even trying to get a job, instead just keeps spending money he doesn't have...

[tripods68]

I experienced this myself. It's really no easy way out other than its time to kick em out out the house...!

[Ima saver]

You need to ask him to move out if he can't pay rent. It is the only way he will learn.

[snshijuptr]

If he doesn't pay rent to you because he would rather go out to dinner, then he is a crappy friend that broke a promise to you. Stick to the contract and kick him out.

Though I would start by asking him if he will make rent by the first and warn him that you will expect him to move out. If he resists, look into the legality of kicking him out. Be careful that you don't break the law. Your "contract" is meaningless next to legal precedence.

[snafu]

If employment ended he likely got holiday pay + pay in lieu of notice. Not paying rent when due, is giving you a clear message... he would like to use you...have you carry him for whatever time frame he needs. Paying rent [shelter] is a basic need and this guy doesn't get it! Does that sound like a friend?

[DebbieL]

From reading the original post it doesn't sound like the guy has missed the rent payment yet, but the poster just thinks he might miss it because of being laid off yesterday. I wouldn't worry too much until he actually does miss a rent payment. If he doesn't great - if he does, then you've got a situation to deal with.

23 is still pretty young. I wasn't a saver yet at that age. Hopefully he'll get another job quickly and won't miss a rent payment.

Some of the other stuff you said about him would, frankly, concern me more than whether or not he saves money (and I'd cut him a bit of slack on the saving because he's still young - and some people don't really get into saving until they've grown up a bit more). The alcoholism and domestic violence stuff would concern me.

[cptacek]

I think the lesson is, don't rent a room to your friend. I've rented to two different friends through the years and everything was fine.

[cypher1]

I'm fortunate to have an awesome roommate who is also a close friend. Helps that he is downstairs, got his own bathroom, clean freak in the kitchen like me, and our work schedules don't conflict. You're situation is very complicated, but in case you didn't already do it, you should re-establish your rules if you have any (I didn't do contracts either, just month to month lease). I made it very clear in the beginning this is business first, no matter how good of a friend they are(i've heard and watched so many friends/family nightmares for renting to people they know) its still a gamble. I'd give him an ultimatium since he's lost employment, IE you've got the next 30 (or 60) days to find a job and pay you're share. On the 31st day, if no rent, adios! No exceptions or excuses. Its unfortunate of his problems or issues he's been dealing with, but those shouldn't fall on you, or be used to take advantage of you for guilt.

[littleroc02us]

Lesson learned, don't lend money to family or rent to them. Give him a chance to pay rent, if he fails give him a month's time period to find a job, if not he will have to move out. School of Hard knocks baby.

[darrendrage]

yeah, it is best to get it in writing. even then! Judge Judy might throw that out.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I rented to a friend for 2 years no problems.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'm surprised there is so little response to this, as many people have rented to friends, both happily and unhappily.

[cypher1]

I'm surprised there is so little response to this, as many people have rented to friends, both happily and unhappily.

LOL I agree. Last night over dinner my roomm mate, and another friend were giving me horror stories of their worst roommate experiences in the past, most of their stories were from best friends or family members.

[JoshuaHeckathorn]

I've rented to friends and had great experiences. However, I wouldn't rent to this "type" of friend in the first place.

If he misses a rent payment, I would have a good talk and give him one month to catch up. If he doesn't, it's time for some tough love. If you allow him to use you, he'll never learn or change his ways.

[myc2004]

Investingnoob, can you send me a pm. I think I have a solution for you to get out of this mess. I've rented out my spare two bedroom for the past 5 years in my house and had 8 different people cycle through my spare room. So I have a good amount of experience. With this experience, I recentely started blogging about my adventures in renting out rooms. So if you can send me a PM I have a good idea on how you can pursue getting your roommate to move out and collect your past due rent.

mike