Protecting Yourself from Irresponsible Roommates

Many of us live in shared houses or apartments, either out of financial necessity or because that's what we prefer. The arrangements are not always equal all around. One housemate might pay less rent for a basement room, for example. Another might single-handedly cover the deposit for a pet cat or dog. Ideally, everyone in the household will respect one another and understand - and agree to - the terms.

Unfortunately, reality often falls far short of the ideal. This is especially true in households that have a "revolving cast" of tenants. In these cases, one or two people in the house may have their signatures on the lease while other tenants come and go right under the landlord's nose. These "unsigned" roomates may be well aware of the fact that they can't be held responsible for whatever damage they wreak to the property they're renting. Also, they might be people that we don't know so well.

The best was to avoid problems down the road - particularly, being liable for damage caused by someone else - is to contact the landlord and ask him or her to do a walk through of the premises with you any time that there will be a change in tenancy. If you're taking the place of a tenant who's vacating - and there'll be no change in the lease - do a walk through with a witness. Note the condition of everything: facillities, windows, blinds, faucets, stove, refrigerator, carpet, etc. Fill a checklist of some other physical record that can attest to the state of the apartment or house at the time that you moved in. This will be very helpful when it's your turn to move out and you feel that you deserve to get your security deposit refunded to you.

Landlords appreciate getting the heads up when different people are going to be occupying the places they're renting, anyway. Legally, they have every right to - and most leases will stipulate that there can't be any changes without their approval - yet it's amazing how often people will come and go from a unit in defiance of convention. Making contact with your landlord before moving in will not only absolve you from any responsibility for other people's problems but also help to establish good relations from the start.

Most of us want to be cool with our friends and aquaintances and not appear distrusting or suspicious. Yet...all people are fallible, and much can occur in a household over the course of a six-month or year-long lease. Don't be burdened by extra financial responsibilities because you want to look like the nice guy. Protect your rights from the start, and stay in communication with your landlord thereafter. Then your housemates will be responsible for their own conduct - whether they choose to toe the line or not.