Asking for rent???

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Okay DH's best friend just moved in with us suppossedly to the end of August. Before he moved in I emailed him and asked him to pay rent because I was uncomfortable with the idea of him living with us long term. So I basically said "when are you moving out?" He said he would move in with a roomie 9/1, but sublet from 8/1. I said if it short term he can stay if he pays rent.

He moved in on Saturday, we've been storing his stuff for a month. Anyway, I'm not sure how much rent to ask and how to ask for it? What about utilities and food? We're pretty much financially okay, but our utilities will be higher and we'll probably eat out more with him around.

What and how do we ask for rent? I'm going to be tough on this and I have to do it because DH NEVER is the bad guy. Last time his brother lived with us rent free for awhile. And even after he would come "grocery shopping" at our house. SO you can see it's tough for DH to put his foot down.

I do like his best friend, also the best man at our wedding, and a friend from grade school (20+ years). It's just that I hope he moves out because I don't think I have the guts to kick him out. Proactively I will be looking for places for him to move.

[boefixepa]

You should have figured this out before he moved in, it would have been much easier that way, but your already there. So sit down and figure it out. Get out the paper and the calculator and take your best guese at how much more you are going to pay in utilities. When I had roomies, what I did was divide the utilities this way: There were three of us. I took half, since I owned the house, and they split the other half. so four part with me paying two. Look at your bill and see if that works for you. You and hubby would pay 3/4 of the utility and he'd pay a 1/4. Or you can see how much the usage goes up, do the math and have him pay that, or you can come up with a flat amount. Just depends on what you are comfortable with. As far the rent amount, in our area, (it helps that there are a few colleges around here) private, non-shared, room go from 200 - 400 depending on size and ammenities. Maybe you can just say a flat rate of $100 a week for room and utilities, and he has to pay $50 a week for food. If he get paid every two weeks, do it in two week incriments. When it comes to things like this you need to have VERY clear expectations and agreements. I've seen more then a few relationships ruined over things like this. So be very careful. Also make sure your husband is not going to go behind your back and tell his friend no to worry about it. Sit down, all three of you, and come to an agreement. Write it down, and all of you sign it. It may not hold up in court or anything (you'd have to make sure zoning allowed for sublet and all that), but if he's not good for his word then there's no point in asking. And if he's honest and fair, he shouldn't be asking for a hand out.

[jamai]

has a potential to become an awkward sitation. since he's a close friend, you can sacrifise and let him stay free for a month and as you say be proactive and find him a place, as soon as you find a place he should be ready to move out, if he seems to be dragging his feet then you know its time to talk about rent. good luck!

[PrincessPerky]

It will be awkward...you might want to base rent on what seems the going rate around you..that way he is already used to paying rent and can't use money as an excuse....you could take what you need for utilities and without telling him use the rest of his rent to open up a savings account that will be used for any major repairs he causes to need done, or at the end of his stay a gift of security deposit (cause that is a big reason why people don't move out...no deposit)

We stayed rent free with my brother in law for a time....and I was soooo happy to move out! Just the joy of having my own space to clean or not as I saw fit ws more than enough motivation to get me out...my husband on the other hand would have stayed a loooong long time...Some people just don't mind free loading.

[Aleta]

It will be less awkward if you handle it. That way, your husband won't be in the middle of it. You can't charge too much, nor too little because if it's too little - he'll never move out. You can't make things too comfortable for him and that you'll always be there type thing. It's hard to rent to friends. Ideally, it would have been great if you could have set a time for him to leave, but it is a touchy subject.

You have to charge what is necessary because he is not your responsiblilty. It's not like he is homeless or anything or without work. How do you think someone would treat you or expect out of you if you were in the same situation?

[Fern]

Rents vary in different parts of the country. You can check the classifieds in your local paper and see what the going rate is for rooms, as compared to apartments or house shares.

You can be sure if you don't speak up, the friend never will, so don't be afraid to be assertive, and no need to feel bad about it.

[sakigt]

Personally, I wouldnt charge a dime.

Someone paying rent has certain "rights." Since it is very short term and he isnt paying, YOU are calling the shots in no uncertain terms. To me, that would be worth it.

Just let him know he can stay for free but he must be out by a certain date.

[PrincessPerky]

You might find he has a similar view to sakift...which would mean you don't want him to pay...or you mgith find he feels guilty and wants to contribute...yet doesn't want to offend by suggesting you need the money....never can tell with people.

[RideTheSpiral]

Just get it out of the way, sooner rather than later. It is a situation that the friend should be able to understand and empathize with.
Ryan

[LuckyRobin]

I'd just charge him 1/3 of the power/gas, water/sewer, garbage, and expect him to contribute to the food budget or buy and cook his own food seperately, and maybe charge the going rate for a storage unit if his stuff is taking over a room you'd normally have use of, but if it is a disused room, maybe half the going rate for a storage unit. But put it in writing and also put in writing that if he isn't out by a certain date, the above will be expected along with an additional amount for actual rent.

[usnavy_233]

Personally, I wouldnt charge a dime.

Someone paying rent has certain "rights." Since it is very short term and he isnt paying, YOU are calling the shots in no uncertain terms. To me, that would be worth it.

Just let him know he can stay for free but he must be out by a certain date.

This was my thought as well. Since it's only one month, keep the ball completely in your court. Come Sept 1st, he's out. Period.