I (26F) just bought a house and will move just before Christmas. I am currently renting a house with my friend Dani (28F). The house I’m buying is 4 bedrooms, so I’ve asked if she wants to rent a room from me now in the new house. I am the sole person on the lease now, so she is effectively subletting off me, so the dynamic doesn’t change much. I have also given her cheaper rent ($1050) in the new house. There will be no other tenants. I will start moving into the new house Dec 6th and finish Dec 18th. During this period I will be paying both the new mortgage ($2500) and the rent ($1200 each). I’ve asked Dani to pay me the pro rata rent for the rental house up until the 18th, and then to pay pro rata of the new rent from the 19th through the remainder of December.
The problem is… It’s Christmas so Dani will not be in the new house from 18th until the 31st as she is visiting family. She will however still have a key and have moved all of her stuff into the new house during the above transition period. Dani has replied to my rent request and said "actually I won’t be there then, can I start paying from Jan 1 when I move in". I do understand her point of view, but it’s still approx $500 in rent that she would have paid if it wasn’t for the timing of the move. I’m also paying basically double what I would for a normal month because of the overlapping transition.
Another factor I have been considering is the state of the new place. As with any move into a big house, I have a lot of furniture to buy and I’m not sure it will be fully finished by the 18 December date. Although it is guaranteed she will have a wardrobe, new mattress, bed frame, night stands, etc. The absolute basics (couch, TV, dining table, kitchen appliances) will all be there still, even if it feels slightly empty.
I want to be understanding and not ruin the friendship over $500, but I can’t help but feel slightly taken advantage of. AITA for asking for rent and how should I approach this going forward?
The right thing to do is just have her continue to pay rent at the old place until she moves into the new place
NTA. if her belongings will be there then she should pay a pro rata rent. That’s generally how it works. Shes still technically moving in if her belongings are. If she won’t be moving her things until the 1st then rent wouldn’t be expected.
Im in the UK.
My sister went abroad for 6 months. During those 6 months, she wasnt living in her rented house, she still had to pay rent.
Your friend should also pay rent, as you are storing their items, tell her you will charge her storage fees and make it the same amount as the rent.
NTA
rent starts when she moves her stuff in, the moving day.. look up tenancy laws in your area as a reference
Yup. Prorated rent is there for this reason. She has no right to use the space as free storage
If her stuff is in the new house she should pay *something*. Maybe offer that she can pay $250 instead of the $500? Otherwise, you’re right, it’s not worth blowing up the friendship and relationship you otherwise have if she’s a good roommate.
If she doesn’t want to pay it, she shouldn’t be moving her stuff in prior to her actual “start paying rent” move-in date. But again… if she’s a good roommate, it might be worth just letting it go.
If she has her stuff there then she pays rent, NTA. If she wants she can put her stuff in storage for the two weeks, or stay where she is, it’s not like you are forcing her to move in with you.
NTA
If she can put her stuff inside then she is a tenant. If she doesn’t want to pay then she can put her stuff in storage until January 1.
It’s ok if she wants to start paying from Jan 1st. As long as her things get moved on Jan 1st or after that.
She can’t move her things into a house she is not renting.
NTA. Her stuff is there, she HAS moved in.
Get your $.
You can be a landlord or you can be a friend. As a landlord you’re NTA, but as a friend you might be. You have to decide how much – literally – Dani’s friendship is worth to you.
NTA. Tell her if she wants to start paying rent on Jan 1 then she can get her key and access to start moving her stuff in on Jan 1. If you weren’t her friend, a property management company would never let her move in without paying. She’s taking advantage of you relationship
You need to learn this Quick…
This is your fault as a landlord to not have this talked through before moving stuff in and her saying yes.
Everything needs to be written Down.
Everything that could cost money or more than you thought
When is it here responsibility and when is it yours.
Get a real lease and have her sign it BEFORE she moves in. Just because you are friends doesn’t mean this isn’t a business transaction. And keep all info on the house in a place where she can’t see it. For instance, if you refi and the interest rate therefore mortgage goes down, it doesn’t mean her rent will decrease.