clifp
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2006
- Messages
- 7,733
Ok, I have situation which I'd like some advice on. What do about my stoner renter/roomate.
I ended up with a fairly large house (and being in Hawaii) expensive house. After my Ex-girlfriend and I split up four years ago. I decided to get a roommate rather than downsize (I love the location). The roommate would provide money, cat care, and companionship plus the inevitable can you help move/hang this etc in that order. My first roommate was a terrific a smart easy going nurse. After a couple of years she left.
I like my location but at the top of hill it isn't ideal for many working people,. The rental space is my downstairs while fairly large 400+' and includes private bath, separate entrance, and cooking facilities, has number of disadvantages including a shared laundry, inconvenient closet space. Several years ago I had a choice between 1/2 dozen acceptable renters, last year despite dropping the rent a $100+ it took me almost 4 months to find a tenant, I think this is a largely a function of the bad economy.
My tenant is nice enough guy (late 30s) but his employment status was flaky when I met and he has since lost his job. He has some part time worker but none since Xmas. Other than one month he has paid the rent on time (and in cash). When he moved in mentioned he occasionally smoked dope, but no cigarettes. He offered to smoke outside but I decide rather than risk a scene with one of my neighbors, it would be ok for him to smoke in his room. Ever since he lost his job, he has been smoking more pot, as well hanging around the house with his fellow band members. They are not particularly loud nor disturbing. I turned away self-employed people because I frankly didn't want to folks hang around the house all the time. So I am not thrilled that I don't have the house to myself more.
I knew plenty of stoners when I was in college (as well as smoked my fair share of pot) and my roommate and his friend remind me a lot of them.
My sister tells me I should get rid of the guy (if he stops paying the rent I will have no problems doing so.) because she thinks (having been a serious druggie many years ago herself) that A. he is probably doing more than smoking dope, B. Maybe dealing and C. His friends may decide to rip me off.
Now frankly, I am not that concerned about being ripped off. I don't have that much valuable stuff lying around. On the other hand the legal consequence of being associated with something beyond a simple misdemeanor marijuana are troubling. And the potential for drug related violence or crime are also greatly concerning.
I am especially interested in those of you with legal and law enforcement backgrounds. What type of legal risks do I likely face? Any suggestions on how to approach the problem.
Given the the troubles I had finding a tenant, I am not anxious to get rid of a f paying one. I figure it would take $300-350K in additional assets to make up for the $800 plus depreciation I lose per month for rent.
I ended up with a fairly large house (and being in Hawaii) expensive house. After my Ex-girlfriend and I split up four years ago. I decided to get a roommate rather than downsize (I love the location). The roommate would provide money, cat care, and companionship plus the inevitable can you help move/hang this etc in that order. My first roommate was a terrific a smart easy going nurse. After a couple of years she left.
I like my location but at the top of hill it isn't ideal for many working people,. The rental space is my downstairs while fairly large 400+' and includes private bath, separate entrance, and cooking facilities, has number of disadvantages including a shared laundry, inconvenient closet space. Several years ago I had a choice between 1/2 dozen acceptable renters, last year despite dropping the rent a $100+ it took me almost 4 months to find a tenant, I think this is a largely a function of the bad economy.
My tenant is nice enough guy (late 30s) but his employment status was flaky when I met and he has since lost his job. He has some part time worker but none since Xmas. Other than one month he has paid the rent on time (and in cash). When he moved in mentioned he occasionally smoked dope, but no cigarettes. He offered to smoke outside but I decide rather than risk a scene with one of my neighbors, it would be ok for him to smoke in his room. Ever since he lost his job, he has been smoking more pot, as well hanging around the house with his fellow band members. They are not particularly loud nor disturbing. I turned away self-employed people because I frankly didn't want to folks hang around the house all the time. So I am not thrilled that I don't have the house to myself more.
I knew plenty of stoners when I was in college (as well as smoked my fair share of pot) and my roommate and his friend remind me a lot of them.
My sister tells me I should get rid of the guy (if he stops paying the rent I will have no problems doing so.) because she thinks (having been a serious druggie many years ago herself) that A. he is probably doing more than smoking dope, B. Maybe dealing and C. His friends may decide to rip me off.
Now frankly, I am not that concerned about being ripped off. I don't have that much valuable stuff lying around. On the other hand the legal consequence of being associated with something beyond a simple misdemeanor marijuana are troubling. And the potential for drug related violence or crime are also greatly concerning.
I am especially interested in those of you with legal and law enforcement backgrounds. What type of legal risks do I likely face? Any suggestions on how to approach the problem.
Given the the troubles I had finding a tenant, I am not anxious to get rid of a f paying one. I figure it would take $300-350K in additional assets to make up for the $800 plus depreciation I lose per month for rent.