Tenants. What am I doing wrong?

[cowboyz]

I have been trying to rent out a room at my place for a year now and getting really frustrated with the shit results.
To start with, I know Im a pain in the arse but I do work all night every night so living with me is not that hard considering Im never home at night and I dont interfer with other peoples lives.

so far we have...
flatmate 1: Broke heaps of stuff. lasted 1 week and moved out with about 2 hours notice
flatmate 2: lazy and messy. made heaps of toll calls on the phone and left me out of pocket over $800 and disappeared
flatmate 3: doesnt do anything around the house, smokes drugs when im not here so the place stinks of dope. pays bills when he feels like it (went like 2.5 months with not paying) currently behind by a few hundred dollars and is surposed to be moving out today. So what do I do? Suggestion has been that I put my foot down and not let him take anything away from the house until he pays what he owes. Im not sure I can go through all that drama.

I just want a flatmate who will do their own thing. Look after my house and pay bills on time. Why does that seems really so hard?

[Jantar]

....
I just want a flatmate who will do their own thing. Look after my house and pay bills on time. Why does that seems really so hard?

Well you see, asking for two things is the problem. Realistically you should only ask them to pay bills on time and YOU look after the house, or they look after the house and you pay the bills. See, simple really.

If they were the type to pay bills and look after the house then they would be landlord, not tenant. :innocent:

[cowboyz]

fine.. can I have... pay bills and doesnt wreck the place then?

[JATZ]

your not selecting the right people to rent your room

simple really:innocent:

[Maha]

Fatmate 3: doesnt do anything around the house, smokes drugs and is currently behind by a few hundred dollars and is suposed to be moving out today. So what do I do?

Get Big John and Barry to be there to make sure he does move out...;):bash:

But I agree with JATZ...selection/choice (may not be that big to choose from) is the key...choosing the right person to cohabit with can be arduous if the selection is not there. To settle for the first person who wants the space can often be a mistake.

Years ago, when I was in the same situation, I said no to a good looking blonde female and let the room to a bloke who had a full time job with the then MOT, he was a smoker like I was etc...I knew the rent was going to be paid...oh and he smelled clean.

Came down to the questions that were answered...
In a nutshell....smell them.

[The Lone Rider]

Everything you've described is pretty much the same as I've experienced.

The only way I got around it is by only taking people in who paid the value of 2 weeks worth of rent as a bond, plus two weeks rent in advance. Write up terms for them to get it refunded, have them sign it and keep a copy yourself.

In the end, I bought a house. Fuck renting. Fuck flatmates.

[cowboyz]

I own the house.. and while i can live here on my own... lifes alot more pleasent with extra income.

[dogsnbikes]

When you interview flatmates take note of the condition of the inside of there car,that is a good indication of how they live....

Put a pin number on your phone regarding tolls,if they need too make tol calls they can use a calling card.

Get rent paid by direct debit.

Look for older flatmates,they generally are more settled in there work and personal lives.

Also consider how you present a place for rent...


I will be Available after the 11th for evictions

[steve_t]

2 weeks rent as bond? Fuck that. Get the full 4 weeks

[Usarka]

I've been in this situation on the other side of the coin, and would never flat with a house owner again. I know a lot of people who say the same thing. Maybe that's putting off the "good" flatmates.

The reason: The balance of power is all wrong. As a flatmate you expect things to be equal, but the owner has a vision of how things should be done, because it is after all their house.

Just my 2c

[SMOKEU]

I own the house.. and while i can live here on my own... lifes alot more pleasent with extra income.

Grow some "vegetables" that you can sell by the ounce and then life will be a whole lot better.

[nosebleed]

I've been in this situation on the other side of the coin, and would never flat with a house owner again. I know a lot of people who say the same thing. Maybe that's putting off the "good" flatmates.

The reason: The balance of power is all wrong. As a flatmate you expect things to be equal, but the owner has a vision of how things should be done, because it is after all their house.

Just my 2c

Good point. On a similar tangent, There is a buttload (metric measurement) of rental flats available that are basements converted into "granny flats".

The thinking from renters I've spoken to is similar to that expressed by Usarka, there is no way people want to rent from the owners upstairs. The dynamic is wrong.

[mossy1200]

Its really simple.Your advertising the rent to low.Ask more for the room and the dorks wont bother coming around to look at it.

[mossy1200]

Good point. On a similar tangent, There is a buttload (metric measurement) of rental flats available that are basements converted into "granny flats".

The thinking from renters I've spoken to is similar to that expressed by Usarka, there is no way people want to rent from the owners upstairs. The dynamic is wrong.

Not always true.I rented with house owner.She introduced me to my wife.We visit her every week still 7 years later.

I dont do drugs.
I cook
I dont own a stereo
I work
Im tidy

That prob helps

[hayd3n]

you can also do a police check / credit check missus has done it with previous tennents

[cowboyz]

I've been in this situation on the other side of the coin, and would never flat with a house owner again. I know a lot of people who say the same thing. Maybe that's putting off the "good" flatmates.

The reason: The balance of power is all wrong. As a flatmate you expect things to be equal, but the owner has a vision of how things should be done, because it is after all their house.

Just my 2c

I think this is a valid and one of the biggest hurdles. people dont want to live with owners.

On the flipside of that.. i really dont care what people get up to. i never moan about anything.. i really just take things as they come.. and get trodden on for my efforts (or lack of) which means the next one will get a harder time ...... its starting to sound like a catch 22

[JimO]

im not in your situation but if i was i would rather struggle a bit money wise to have a place that i dont have to share with the great unwashed

[mossy1200]

Grow some "vegetables" that you can sell by the ounce and then life will be a whole lot better.

Capsicum??????????

[placidfemme]

Well you see, asking for two things is the problem. Realistically you should only ask them to pay bills on time and YOU look after the house, or they look after the house and you pay the bills. See, simple really.

If they were the type to pay bills and look after the house then they would be landlord, not tenant. :innocent:

Good points.

I've recently started renting my own place and am also looking for flatmates. But I am being super picky. I would rather pay double or triple rent then just take someone I'm not too happy with. Right now got one flatmate in, and going well so far, she pays rent on time, works a lot and is very social so I never see her and she is not home enough to make a mess. I'm anal about my cleaning and habits so I don't get too annoyed at having to do all the work, because at least it is done to my standard.

By the sounds of it you need someone who has previously owned/rented their own place, because these types generally understand and have a certain sense of pride (you would hope anyway). It also sounds like you need to be a bit harder, letting the dude stay when he is so behind on the rent? Kind of just asking for it then. If he is home, kick him out. It is illegal to hold someones property in lieu of payment, technically it is theft. Kick him out and cut your loss. Next time get rent in advance and at least 2 weeks bond. And if you want to be extra cautious make a little tenancy agreement and you both sign it, to include rent amount, expenses if relevant, bond terms and notice when leaving etc and both sign it, that at least gives you the option of small claims court if you get dicked again.

[dogsnbikes]

Capsicum??????????

surely he means saffron

[mashman]

If I'd have had your experiences, I wouldn't be letting anyone across the threshold that couldn't pay all of the bills up front. Yes I realise that sounds impossible, but setting a sensible limit for household expenses, sort of like a bond, and then refunding what's left at the end of the month. They may ask how much of a trustworthy cunt you are (judging by your whining you probably are), but that's the two way street though int it. That way you'll get what ya need to cover the bills, they get some cash back at the end of the month if they're "good" and you get people in that have money in their hand so can't blow it on drugs and lady boys. The onus is on you to make good on your promise then. Or some version of the above.

[cowboyz]

to be fair.. I do moan alot. because i feel like I am being taken for a ride (not in the good way) all too often. I beleive some things should just happen. rent being one of them. But I see how I make it really easy for people just not to pay. The other task at hand is the perception that Ashhurst is somehow in the middle of no where. Its 12km to palmerston north on a main road. it takes like 7 mins to get to town and I usually spend $40pw on fuel to go to work everyday. People in town drive 30 mins across town through traffic and lights and seem to think thats better. Its just crazy.
I have very little faith in finding a suitable flatmate really. Just ranting now.

[Bender]

Friend of mine has a block of flats. They have a very carefully worded tenancy agreement. Regarding payment of rent they get a bond and month's rent in advance. If the rent gets one week in arrears they are goneburgers - it says so in the tenancy agreement and when they sign it they are agreeing to be kicked out if they get behind. End of.

So far in three years they haven't had to kick anyone out. There are other clauses about drugs, operating a business (to stop anyone operating a brothel) etc.

You have to set the ground rules and then enforce them - bottling it up and stewing about it gets you nowhere.

[flyingcrocodile46]

dogsnbikes, Jantar and Usarka are on the money.

Get 3 or 4 weeks payment up front. Ask for and check references. Don't volunteer that you own the property and don't expect them to care about the house.

It's easier to adjust your expectations than to find someone who will measure up to them. You want the money you have to make the adjustments.

Oh yeah! Confiscate the drugs and use/sell them.

[huff3r]

Set up a house-sharing agreement, lay down the law, make them stick to it. Don't be a pushover, and don't be afraid to use your house-sharing agreement as evidence in the disputes tribunal if they muck you around.

In your position you have the power, so use it. It shouldn't be too impossible to find good flatmates, you just need to be firm.

Flat/House Sharing Agreement (http://www.dbh.govt.nz/pub-new-tenancy#map10)

[mossy1200]

Friend of mine has a block of flats. They have a very carefully worded tenancy agreement. Regarding payment of rent they get a bond and month's rent in advance. If the rent gets one week in arrears they are goneburgers - it says so in the tenancy agreement and when they sign it they are agreeing to be kicked out if they get behind. End of.

So far in three years they haven't had to kick anyone out. There are other clauses about drugs, operating a business (to stop anyone operating a brothel) etc.

You have to set the ground rules and then enforce them - bottling it up and stewing about it gets you nowhere.

And if they send you a letter explaining they can not afford X rent at the moment but can afford Y rent due to financial hardship and pay it every week its 6months to rid yourself of them.

[mossy1200]

dogsnbikes, Jantar and Usarka are on the money.

Get 3 or 4 weeks payment up front. Ask for and check references. Don't volunteer that you own the property and don't expect them to care about the house.

It's easier to adjust your expectations than to find someone who will measure up to them. You want the money you have to make the adjustments.

Oh yeah! Confiscate the drugs and use/sell them.

2 weeks bond and 2 weeks rent in advance is the max.Its not legal to take peoples drugs in leiu of rent.

[steve_t]

2 weeks bond and 2 weeks rent in advance is the max.

Just be careful about spreading misinformation. I know this is a forum but....

http://www.dbh.govt.nz/tips-for-flatting

Max bond is 4 weeks rent

[mossy1200]

Just be careful about spreading misinformation. I know this is a forum but....

http://www.dbh.govt.nz/tips-for-flatting

Max bond is 4 weeks rent

Corrected but with 4 weeks bond 2 weeks rent advance does the rent need stay advanced or do you need pay rent again on or before the completion of the advance rent?

I was just being a smart arse to stir some stuff I dont know anything really lol.
I do know if you drop your rent and keep paying its hard to get evicted for a while.A guy I know did this (not friend of mine OK) every flat he moved into.

[ducatilover]

I think:
Flatties are generally younger people, so they like to be social, living in Palmy (for the silly, less thinking ones) and paying more for rent = closer to mates/pubs/clubs/cheap sex/whatever.


I was thinking about talking to you about moving in, but my income situation has been all wobbly, plus I've decided to bugger off up north. (and I need a garage:sweatdrop) so mainly with the income situation, I decided best not to mess with a fellow Kwaka owner, we're mad buggers.

It's a shame that mate of mine didn't move in, she's a great lass and your house would be bloody clean!

I really do think it's a young people thing, I can't see anything wrong with what you're offering and it's bloody cheap!

If I get a go on one of your bikes I'll do evictions, I can persuade people ;)

[steve_t]

Corrected but with 4 weeks bond 2 weeks rent advance does the rent need stay advanced or do you need pay rent again on or before the completion of the advance rent?

I was just being a smart arse to stir some stuff I dont know anything really lol.
I do know if you drop your rent and keep paying its hard to get evicted for a while.A guy I know did this (not friend of mine OK) every flat he moved into.

Yep. Evicting tenants is very hard. Tenants have so many rights it borders on ridiculous

[The Everlasting]

One thing you could do when having potential tenants come around is either have your girlfriend or a friend with you,that way you can get another persons opinion of the potential tenant.

[sinfull]

Yep. Evicting tenants is very hard. Tenants have so many rights it borders on ridiculous

What about boarders ?

Evicting someone is a lot easier that that !


Just work out yr expences Lance, tell em like it is, board money each thursday or friday ya gone !

Set up all yr bills on AP, smoothpay, whatever so it comes out of your account each week and the coin they give ya is yr spending money !

Food and cleaning is the only thing you will have to work out with them, skinny little fella/chick who eats like a mouse ya go halves lol, someone like me ya split the fridge/pantry
Don't buy munchy foods, make it so everything needs prep and cooking !
Cleaning i hate, so i'd get a cleaner in twice a week and charge accordingly, Don't know what ya charging them, but so close to Palmy has gotta be worth 160/180/200 for a room and all lounge, kitchen, power, internet, toll barred phone supplied !

[ducatilover]

Don't know what ya charging them, but so close to Palmy has gotta be worth 160/180/200 for a room and all lounge, kitchen, power, internet, toll barred phone supplied !
Have a mate in a decent set up in Palmy, 140p/w with everything incl. basic food, mysky etc etc. Just pays for anything she wants to eat that's not in the cupboard.

I agree with the food idea, munchy food will get destroyed.

[cowboyz]

What about boarders ?

Evicting someone is a lot easier that that !


Just work out yr expences Lance, tell em like it is, board money each thursday or friday ya gone !

Set up all yr bills on AP, smoothpay, whatever so it comes out of your account each week and the coin they give ya is yr spending money !

Food and cleaning is the only thing you will have to work out with them, skinny little fella/chick who eats like a mouse ya go halves lol, someone like me ya split the fridge/pantry
Don't buy munchy foods, make it so everything needs prep and cooking !
Cleaning i hate, so i'd get a cleaner in twice a week and charge accordingly, Don't know what ya charging them, but so close to Palmy has gotta be worth 160/180/200 for a room and all lounge, kitchen, power, internet, toll barred phone supplied !



Bwahahhahahahhahahahah he jokes....

I cant get anyone to LOOK at the place .. like physcially show up and look and i want $60 +exp. For furished house with all the mod cons of a modern home

I dont get it. I really really dont.. Its advertsed for $100 all incl now. someone will take it... or not. Im over trying.

[sinfull]

I dont get it. I really really dont.. Its advertsed for $100 all incl now. someone will take it... or not. Im over trying. serious as can be, you would be very lucky to get anything in pram or waikanae even for much less than 2 spot all inclusive !
Otaki you could knock it down to 140, levin 100/120 ! But that close to Palmy is how i'd be marketing it as !

That and the fact you'd take sex as rent !

[cowboyz]

That and the fact you'd take sex as rent ![/QUOTE]
I thought that was standard

[Max Preload]

What am I doing wrong?
Flatting. People are cunts. Fuck 'em.

[Max Preload]

Corrected but with 4 weeks bond 2 weeks rent advance does the rent need stay advanced or do you need pay rent again on or before the completion of the advance rent?Once the advance rent is 'used up' the next instalment falls due. And so on.

[cowboyz]

Flatting. People are cunts. Fuck 'em.

unfortunately.. I kinda need them

[jrandom]

I just want a flatmate who will do their own thing. Look after my house and pay bills on time. Why does that seems really so hard?

Because people who have their shit sorted in life to the extent of being able to do that aren't looking to move in to some guy's spare room.

Basically, your market is 99% comprised of losers. Think about it.

This is the eternal flatting story. Got-their-shit-together person gets house, naively thinks to support the cost with a flatmate, who will be a responsible person who pays bills and doesn't stink out the house with cannabis. Ends up with: irresponsible broken-arse who stinks the house out with cannabis. I am of course talking from the perspective of having been the irresponsible broken-arse stinking the house out with cannabis.

The only way to make it work is to flat with people you already know. Even that can be difficult. Prepare to lose friends if you live with them. *That* story tends to go, naive got-their-shit-together person gets house, moves in a lovely friend who they're sure they'll get along with, three months later they realise lovely friend is actually an anal-retentive twat. (Or lovely friend turns out to be an irresponsible broken-arse who stinks the house out with cannabis, or you turn out to be an anal-retentive twat.)

Just accept the cost of living alone. It's worth it.

[placidfemme]

Just accept the cost of living alone. It's worth it.

Thats me at the moment, 4 bedroom house on the beach, advertsing for a flatty, but being super picky. I have one flatmate now for about a week, and she's not as clean as I was hoping, but for now it is not an issue. Only looking for one more (have to keep one room spare for my drunk friends). In no rush to pick someone just to pay the rent, stuff I will extra, but at least I'm happy.

[caspernz]

Basically, your market is 99% comprised of losers. Think about it.

Just accept the cost of living alone. It's worth it.

That's worth a gold medal. :yes:

[buellbabe]

[QUOTE=ducatilover;1130298379]

I was thinking about talking to you about moving in, but my income situation has been all wobbly, plus I've decided to bugger off up north. (and I need a garage:sweatdrop)QUOTE]

How far norf? I'm in Sth Auckland and was considering advertising on here for a flattie. Got a HUGE garage with plenty of room for toys...and its alarmed.

Plus I am not anal retentive...ask AJturbo, he was my last flatmate and things worked well :-)

Cowboyz, sorry to hijack your thread. I pretty much agree with what others have said, get the rent in advance and be more picky about the type of person.

And its not too much to ask to expect people to respect your home...

[ducatilover]

How far norf? I'm in Sth Auckland and was considering advertising on here for a flattie. Got a HUGE garage with plenty of room for toys...and its alarmed.

Plus I am not anal retentive...ask AJturbo, he was my last flatmate and things worked well :-)

Cowboyz, sorry to hijack your thread. I pretty much agree with what others have said, get the rent in advance and be more picky about the type of person.

And its not too much to ask to expect people to respect your home...

Near Te-Puke, I've got a place/garage sorted up there :yes:

[cowboyz]

Because people who have their shit sorted in life to the extent of being able to do that aren't looking to move in to some guy's spare room.

Basically, your market is 99% comprised of losers. Think about it.

This is the eternal flatting story. Got-their-shit-together person gets house, naively thinks to support the cost with a flatmate, who will be a responsible person who pays bills and doesn't stink out the house with cannabis. Ends up with: irresponsible broken-arse who stinks the house out with cannabis. I am of course talking from the perspective of having been the irresponsible broken-arse stinking the house out with cannabis.

The only way to make it work is to flat with people you already know. Even that can be difficult. Prepare to lose friends if you live with them. *That* story tends to go, naive got-their-shit-together person gets house, moves in a lovely friend who they're sure they'll get along with, three months later they realise lovely friend is actually an anal-retentive twat. (Or lovely friend turns out to be an irresponsible broken-arse who stinks the house out with cannabis, or you turn out to be an anal-retentive twat.)

Just accept the cost of living alone. It's worth it.

I hear what your saying but Got-their-shit-together person who got a house wasnt expecting Mrs Got-their-shit-together person to bugger off and leave Got-their-shit-together person with a mortgage and figure out the shit anit all that sticky together...........

I would live alone.. I did for a year. It is expensive and it means I cant do the other things I want to be doing. which is why I started renting out in the first place.




Cowboyz, sorry to hijack your thread. I pretty much agree with what others have said, get the rent in advance and be more picky about the type of person.

And its not too much to ask to expect people to respect your home...

No problem. 10% commission..

[jrandom]

I hear what your saying but Got-their-shit-together person who got a house wasnt expecting Mrs Got-their-shit-together person to bugger off and leave Got-their-shit-together person with a mortgage...

Dollar reserve TradeMe house auction and fuck off to the WA mines for a year or two.

[cowboyz]

its not a bad idea!

[jrandom]

its not a bad idea!

I know; it's a serious suggestion.

[Bassmatt]

Near Te-Puke, I've got a place/garage sorted up there :yes:

Oh, Fuck :shutup:

[ducatilover]

Oh, Fuck :shutup:

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2011/8/13/7372d75b-df73-4cbd-9c9b-0bacc2c07e07.jpg