15 replies to this topic

[ClaraTaylor]

Morning all!
It's a gloriously sunny Sunday morning and all is well with the world of Lady Clarington and her castle (just in case you wanted to know).

My "uncle" (aka going out with my aunt) is finally moving the last of his stuff meaning that once again I will be home alone... yay!!!

Now I could afford to live in this house on my own but this means that my mother (who I rent the house from) would lose the £60 a week that he paid her (I don't want to pay said rents on top of the rent I already pay owing to a chronic case of tight fisted in the wallet area). I can't see mother being too happy about this so I will soon be on the look out for another lodger.

This time however we want to make sure there are some ground rules laid out before they move in (aka the stuff everyone assumes is common sense) to try and avoid any problems and make it fair on the both of us. Most of it will of course be worked out between future lodger and myself (i.e. food / cooking) but I want to have as much of the common sense written down as a basis while we discuss and write up the renting agreement.

Ah ha you cry at last she's getting to the point!

What do you consider basic house rules?

- no smoking in the house
- toilet seat can be positioned either up or down, so long as it remains fixed to the loo
- the making of "blue" movies is not permitted in this house


How do you come up with a cleaning / cooking rota?


Thank you for your help.

Lots of love from me xx

[Wheelsonfire]

The first and MOST important question is why can't one make blue movies in the house? Are you closed minded lol

Secondly, yes ground rules are important but you must realize that there has to be leniency otherwise it's a boot camp you will be running.

Draft the rota that suits YOUR habits and discuss where needed, I think ideas will be endless but at the end of the day you will filter out the "unjust" within the interviews.

Regards

Blue movie maker aka John

[ClaraTaylor]

Wheelsonfire, on May 16 2010, 11:52 AM, said:

The first and MOST important question is why can't one make blue movies in the house? Are you closed minded lol

Secondly, yes ground rules are important but you must realize that there has to be leniency otherwise it's a boot camp you will be running.

Draft the rota that suits YOUR habits and discuss where needed, I think ideas will be endless but at the end of the day you will filter out the "unjust" within the interviews.

Regards

Blue movie maker aka John

One can't make blue movies because the walls are too thin. If you're going to make them they have to be 100% and these walls just aren't strong enough for the lighting rigs. I most certainly will not tolerate half arsed performances if you must insist on filming yourself!!

We went for the lenient route before - talked about cleaning and such but didn't write anything down (friends suggest having a wee A5 sheet on the inside of the pantry door as a discrete reminder, signed by both parties) which resulted in a huge mess and stress (not paying the rent, not helping with the cleaning, etc... I'm still finding mugs hidden around the place!)
This time we want to avoid all of that by having *something* moderately formal (aside from the normal contract to rent) to act as a reminder should either party not pull their weight.

[jenny407]

Clara,

I think Germans have this sad reputation of being perfect for written rules and regulations. My mother was an ace in all this and could have given you good advice (about 3 A 4 sheets, typed).

I tend to have much fewer rules but I must say: very clear agreements set down beforehand are actually what I like (at school and at home).

An A 5 sheet isn't exaggerated and sounds reasonable.
So: times when and what is to be cleaned by whom
times when and by whom the kitchen is used (plus the cleaning)
anything necessary to arrange about the fridge? (how much stuff people can put inside?)
Signed by both parties, put up on the wall. Yes.
I think such a reminder is useful. And you talk it over and have it set down and signed BEFORE they move in.

And then, when all is arranged, I would like you to remember what a very professional and experienced lawyer told us some years ago: You can set down all regulations and rule out all probabilities, but what is essential is some good will of both parties. Only too true, unfortunately.

I wish you good luck with the new lodger. <And: absolutely be firm on the blue movies!>

Jenny

[edlee]

I think the three you have are almost enough. Add " pay rent on time" might be added,, since mom is gonna yell at you when your roommate is late. Trust me on this.

Other than that, the idea that someone should clean up after themselves is either inate or missing entirely. Hopefully, the interview process should find out which it is.

Why not start with the ten commandments, then add or subtract where needed. No stealing, killing, or coveting is a pretty good basis.
ed

[qbounce]

Also, beware whenever you leave for the day to visit Scribs, that you don't come home to a red light outside the door. For if you do, make sure to take the usual house cut of 40%. It is YOUR flat after all!

All the other rules, usually I took them as they came. Everyone is so different, and although they may do their dishes religiously, they may just as fervently leave their clothes and personal items all around the common area.

The important things are the rent money, smoking, drugs (must share, or none at all), and pets. Everything else tents to come over time. Oh, and cleaning the house every other week is fair. Just mark the calendar.

[pistol_pete]

jenny407, on May 16 2010, 08:47 PM, said:

Clara,

absolutely be firm on the blue movies!>

Jenny

HaHa.... being firm is very important when it comes to blue movies.

[Wheelsonfire]

ClaraTaylor, on May 16 2010, 12:37 PM, said:

One can't make blue movies because the walls are too thin. If you're going to make them they have to be 100% and these walls just aren't strong enough for the lighting rigs. I most certainly will not tolerate half arsed performances if you must insist on filming yourself!!

Quote

We went for the lenient route before - talked about cleaning and such but didn't write anything down (friends suggest having a wee A5 sheet on the inside of the pantry door as a discrete reminder, signed by both parties) which resulted in a huge mess and stress (not paying the rent, not helping with the cleaning, etc... I'm still finding mugs hidden around the place!)
This time we want to avoid all of that by having *something* moderately formal (aside from the normal contract to rent) to act as a reminder should either party not pull their weight.

Vetting will rule out the unworthy, when in discussion, pay attention to body language, this in itself will give you more of an insight, be completely upfront in your terms and advise that if terms of contract are breached that notice will be given.

My knowledge in law is based within Irish and European Constitution .
This link might help so go ahead and click me

Oh yes Pete, I fully agree, there is no point in being limp or shy about things when you hear “lights, camera, action”

Regards

John

[Tetracyclone]

dammit. Long reply just disappeared into cyberspace. Clara- do a background check, credit check, and view the person's present living space unannounced, and talk to previous mates or roommates. we all lie in interview, or suffer temporary delusions of being neater than we actually are.

[jenny407]

pistol_pete, on May 17 2010, 07:59 AM, said:

jenny407, on May 16 2010, 08:47 PM, said:

Clara,

absolutely be firm on the blue movies!>

Jenny

HaHa.... being firm is very important when it comes to blue movies.

J.

[qbounce]

jenny407, on May 17 2010, 08:22 AM, said:

pistol_pete, on May 17 2010, 07:59 AM, said:

jenny407, on May 16 2010, 08:47 PM, said:

Clara,

absolutely be firm on the blue movies!>

Jenny

HaHa.... being firm is very important when it comes to blue movies.

J.

lol

[Travelling Blackbird]

Currently in the situation... it's a lot better to be clear, even about some of the little things. You might think it's too much, but in the long run, it's much easier to be clear about everything.

A5 or A4, signed and visible. Great idea.

This is what I did when my current flat-mate moved in.

- Wrote down which days each of us leave the house in the morning, so we'd each know when the other would need the bathroom in the morning.
- Wrote down laundry days so we're not both trying to do all our work shirts on the same day. The washing machine's shortest full-load cycle is 90 minutes!
- Wrote down a list of jobs each of us would tackle. He does the trash and the bathroom. I hoover and wash the floors. He empties the dishwasher. I fill it. And so on.
- Talked about groceries and decided basically to keep it all separate, except for the odd thing that we might borrow now and again.
- Split the bills and rent and set them to be paid on the 1st of the month. Wrote that on the list.

I also showed him around the flat and explained a couple of things: which mugs are not dishwasher-proof, which detergents he's allergic to, which wine am I saving for someone's birthday, which night of the week I have a bigger group of guests (although that hasn't happened since he moved in). We also talked about what to do if I had any medical issues, accidents and so on.

He asked about having someone come home for a one-night stand, and would I mind, and I said of course not, as long as my bedroom and the kitchen table weren't involved!

He never asked about making blue movies. Hmmmm... I should talk to him about that...

You'll always have things come up in the process of living together, and be prepared to talk about them clearly and openly!

[ClaraTaylor]

Thank you.
Step one we think is for me to write down my normal routine so that they can decide if they even want to be in a house with someone who is up at 06:30 doing physio (I'm very quiet) or fast asleep (I promise I don't dribble) on the sofa every time I try and watch something interesting on the television (I paint a very pretty picture!)

But right now I'm trying to buy a new oven.

[E-DOG]

No. 1 Make sure they know you two are NOT sharing a place. They are renting a ROOM FROM YOU. Maybe kitchen, bathroom and livingroom privleges come with the deal, but it's still your place. When the feces falls upon the rotating air circulation device and thus lands all akimbo throughout said abode, the other person can simply pick up and move. YOU are the one who'll be stuck with whatever horror is left over.

Now then. These "blue" movies to which everyone seems to be alluding; has the color screwed up on everybody's TV set? I'm confused. Simply go to the back of your television set and you'll find the color correction knobs. A few twists and turns and that pesky blue coloration should be alleviated.

Hum. I can see it now. I walk through the front door, some wierd hour of the morn. There's our lil' Clara on the sofa, passed out like a light, gigantic pool o' drool on the pillow, some incredibly boring National Geographic documentary about the breeding habits of some obscure, esoteric East African mung beetle droning away, IN NOTHING BUT BLUE NO LESS, and I've got 3 "Kitty Porn" DVD's to record in 6 hours!

There goes my motivation right out the door! POOF!
Oh well, I guess it's back to purse snatching for a living again.

E

[ClaraTaylor]

E-DOG, on May 18 2010, 02:47 AM, said:

No. 1 Make sure they know you two are NOT sharing a place. They are renting a ROOM FROM YOU. Maybe kitchen, bathroom and livingroom privleges come with the deal, but it's still your place. When the feces falls upon the rotating air circulation device and thus lands all akimbo throughout said abode, the other person can simply pick up and move. YOU are the one who'll be stuck with whatever horror is left over.

Now then. These "blue" movies to which everyone seems to be alluding; has the color screwed up on everybody's TV set? I'm confused. Simply go to the back of your television set and you'll find the color correction knobs. A few twists and turns and that pesky blue coloration should be alleviated.

Hum. I can see it now. I walk through the front door, some wierd hour of the morn. There's our lil' Clara on the sofa, passed out like a light, gigantic pool o' drool on the pillow, some incredibly boring National Geographic documentary about the breeding habits of some obscure, esoteric East African mung beetle droning away, IN NOTHING BUT BLUE NO LESS, and I've got 3 "Kitty Porn" DVD's to record in 6 hours!

There goes my motivation right out the door! POOF!
Oh well, I guess it's back to purse snatching for a living again.

E

Thanks sweetheart, I'll get the television adjusted just as soon as I can move all of the Lego lorries / fire engines off the top of it.

[Ratticis]

Clothes required while cooking, especially if cooking for others