Should I continue to rent my space out? even though I am being pushed too far?
By ch88ss
@ch88ss (2271)
United States
June 2, 2008 6:19pm CST
Hi,question.
I have a vacant master room which includes own bathroom and also private entry to the outside patio.
We do not let them cook inside the room, but we agreed to share our patio fridge, grill and patio table for use.
I originally agreed to rent out this room because my husband friend asked for a favor. I was mislead to believe it was a single women who was coming from overseas for schooling. It was agreed that she will share my new bbq grill, and spare fridge which we use to put the extra food during summer parties etc and for the kids to enjoy a cool drink during the summer.
Last night she finally came over to move in, I was quiet suprise and upset (but did not say or express that). The lady is actually 7 months pregnant and her husband will be moving/ coming over pretty soon say in about 3 months, which will mean another person will be added to this. This will put the total number of people in that room to 3- which was not what I wanted. I planned on renting to singles only not a family. It is too small for that purpose.
However, to increase my anxiety, my husband friend started asking for us to move the fridge to this new visitor end, which means we won't have a spare fridge anymore for the summer to use, his friend also requested my cable box to be brought downstairs- and that was my son's cable box, my new grill was also moved downstairs. So now when I need to bbq-I actually have to feel inconvenient to ask to use my own grill again. Well to top it all off, his friend wants us to be responsible for her meals, she does not drive, so his friend wants us to take her to the doctor visits, etc and take her to the hospital when she is ready to give birth.
Since the room has private bathroom and private entrance to the outside, I prefer that she does not enter through our main door. I plan to keep her bedroom door lock on both sides so we won't have access to one another space. Then my husband friend has the gut to say that I am actually treating his friend like prisoner keeping her locked in her room. I was again offended because he mislead me and then insist on all these things.
This was also discussed during dinner time and I was about ready to open my doors and say "nice knowing you but I think it is time for you to go home and if these are your policy take you friend and keep her at your place" but I bit my tongue because I need to respect my husband in front of his friends. I know it is not my husband idea but I am so heated up with this friend of his.
I hate turning away a pregnant women especially since she justed arrived into the USA and she needs a place to stay. Lets just hope that it will go peacefully. She seem like a nice person, it is the friend that that I cannot stand. I also realize that we need to rent the room to help with the mortgage and medical bills for my daugther.
What should I do, tell his friend to back off or tell my husband to tell his friend to stop it!
I am quiet a reserved person so I don't like having strangers wander around my house wether I am at home or not. Yet his friend believe I am being mean for not letting the new renter roam freely around my house.
Am I mean or cold hearted for being upset with this situation? Or should I dismiss it and give her chance because it is the guy friend who is making all these demands and not her or my husband!
3 responses
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
3 Jun 08
It sounds like they're asking a bit more out of you than just renting a room. You didn't sign up to be a nursemaid, so I think you're vell within your rights to be upset or uncomfortable. If she wants cable, she can call the cable company and get it wired for cable in her name. Then you won't have to worry if she decides to buy a bunch of paid programming, because she'll have the full responsibility of paying for it. If she can't drive or get out, she should contact a group that assists women who are pregnant and living alone.
Personally, I'd reclaim my grill, cablebox, and whatever else you've given her and tell the friend to shove it. If the woman has concerns about her living space, she should take it up with her landlord...not her 'friend'. Or her friend should be paying you extra for those ammenities.
I'm not saying dump her to the curb, but sheesh! You didn't sign up to be her foster parents.
@ch88ss (2271)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Finally someone sees my fustration. you really helped me sort out my feelings about this issue.
Thanks for confirming that I was not wrong in thinking this way.
I am going to wait for the next time my husband friend comes over, and if he peeps about all the extra I will flat out say it. There is no place in the US (with this economy) that rents out a place and lends the fridge, free cable, free grill, all the electric, gas and water bills are included in the monthly rent already. I remeber when my sister was renting, she was paying $800.00 just for a room too.
I am well armed and prepare to speak with manners but I will get my point across
tks for the great support and adivce.
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Go tiger! :)
Hope you manage to come to a satisfactory resolution. Being a landlord isn't easy.
@Samanthavv (1380)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I would be upset if I were you too! You're not their nanny and you are certainly not responsible for anything to do with the woman except the utilities. You need to tell your friend (if you feel you can't approach the woman) and explain to him they can no longer reside with you and explain why. Then follow through and don't budge. Give them a thirty day notice.
@travibabiesgirl (1690)
• United States
3 Jun 08
I don't believe you are mean or cold hearted. You agreed to rent a room that has its own entrance and bathroom. There is no need really for her to be in your house. The only problem I see is her only having a grill to cook on. I can not believe the nerve of your husbands friend. You did not agree to run her all over town or agree to her husband later moving in. I would talk to the lady and ask her if she feels the same way as the friend does. I would talk to my husband and decide if it is in your best interest to keep the lady in your home or tell the friend he will either have to take her in or find her a new place to live. If you keep her in your home and after talking to her know she is not the problem I would inform the friend to but out of your business.
@ch88ss (2271)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Thanks for the confirming my feelings are not evil.
I been thinking about it and I don't know what the lady thinks yet but I will find out soon. Yesterday my husband spoke to her about the cooking issue. She wanted to buy her own stove top oven that uses electric instead of gas. (those mini ones that are portable not the big one) But I thought about the amount of electricity this will use, in her culture soup is a big hit and the longer the soup is cooked the better. So I fear the electricyt bill and she did not seem to mind that and agreed to do gas cooking instead.
So I think it is the friend that is a pain in the ... I think I will talk to my husband this weekend that he needs to tell his friend to back off or I will say something.
Thanks.




