Anyone have any good ground rules for renting to a friend that has kids?
487600
You're very brave.\n\nI have three tenants and the only time that I had kids staying with me, their parents were the hassle.\n\nFor all tenants\n\nSpecify what's included in the rent. \nEmergency numbers must be available\nYour guests - is your tenant and children invited to any function you have, or is it going to be on an event basis\nIf your tenant has guests what are the rules  \nIf your tenant has cash flow problems increase the rent to cover a meal a day, otherwise food can be an issue.\nMarking food in need so that it isn't eaten by someone else.\nBreakage and spoilage rules.\nRules of communal areas you will share. \nCleaning up rules and sharing stuff - the lousy tenants I had threw away cutlery rather than wash it.\nPrivacy - if a door is closed knock before entering\nShared bathrooms rules and standards - no videocams\nIf there are pets how must they be treated.\n\n\nFor the kids\nDiscipline issues - make sure that all the adults agree on the kids limits. All kids try and push the boundries. The deal won't work unless the adults unite against the kids. Any discussions about the raising of the children and any rule changes must happen way from the kids. When the adults have agreed on any deal then all three adults must tell the kids the changed rule.    \nWhat are acceptable punishments and who will apply them. Can you or your husband send a kid to their room until their mother comes home? \n\n\nGeneral points\nTalk often and always. Be lenient and flexible but when you aren't impressed let everyone know it. Apologise if you have done something wrong. Stress politeness, get into the habit of greeting and letting everyone know where you are going. Praise and thank when something is done according to the rules. If someone is grumpy or sulking find out why and have it out. If possible have a daily adult talk session in the first week and then reduce it to once a week or once a month, just to iron out friction.  \n\nIt's a big adaptation for some people to share. I find that mature adults can live together profitably. It is laziness, taking advantage, dishonesty and manipulation that causes hassles.
1142704
Try craigslist.org, normally quite good for rentals. Covers most States across the U.S.
689953
there should be a Landlord and Tenant Board in your area that can give you advise and hopefully help arbitrate an agreement.
130857
1 bedroom. If two children, man, woman, 2 bedrooms. etc. Most landlords will let you know.
341777
What could she get if she were renting to someone else?  Business is business.  Most people have rental properties to make money.  A lease would protect you as well.  Perhaps someone has offered to pay her $1,900/month and sign a lease and she is offering you the deal first.  Sorry if this sounds harsh, but you are not a guest in your mother's home, you are a tenant.
1021329
Contact the Housing Authority in your town.  Also check out www.nolo.com \n\nIf your friend has been there a year without a lease she is considered month to month which means the landlord could have had her removed after giving her 30 days notice first.\n\nIf the landlord has decided to come with a lease after a year and she's managed to live there despite it "falling apart" she needs to take date stamped pictures (some cameras date stamp the film or you can provide a newspaper to put clearly in the shot as you take pictures going from room to room) and have your friend state in a letter addressed to him at his business address that these conditions were pre-existing, and that both parties (LL and her) are to understand that this NEW lease provisions he's asking for will only pertain to NEW wear and tear AFTER all the current repairs are made by LL within 30 days (make a copy of the photos and present them to LL with certified letter).  It should also read that the $500 extra money for deposit is specifically for future wear and tear should it be needed and that your friend will expect her deposit returned within two weeks/month after her lease expires and any deductions should be clearly notarized in a breakdown with clear copies of receipts that can be clearly verified.  It sounds like LL wants your friend to move out -- and you don't say what compelled your LL to 'suddenly' come over and 'demand' next months rent over a week early.   Maybe to avoid the grief, your friend should make arrangements with LL to move -- write a letter and send copies of dated stamped pictures ASAP and state that you are not responsible for this wear and tear as it was pre-existing and you would like x time to move out and then move out.  I don't expect this LL to be nice either way.
283679
Smartest thing to do is make a contract/statement up stating person has lived there so n so months "rent free" (your choice or not?)and has no job wanted to do your best to help said person on their feet, all has failed, now are giving the person X ammount of days to get out,or contribute. Have that person sign it, with your signature as well. wouldnt hurt to give that person a copy as well you keep the original! \nFor future references its best to have "Everything in WRITING" And keep as many expense reciepts as well.
565018
Make a list separately of what you both want, enjoy, need - pay no attention to order or anything Else. Then get together and compare, here you can eliminate or even add to a single list you agree on. Then place them in order of importance, please no arguing - if it is important to you (or him) then it is - no matter what you (or he) thinks. Now we have a list, next place a time next to them. House - 3 years, vacation - 1 year etc. Then put dollar amounts next to them - house deposit needed $10,000 divide that by 36 (3yearsx12) you now have a monthly value. Once you have done this you will see that you have monthly values for the things you are trying to do. Then add up everything and get a monthly total. You'll either have enough to do it all or not enough to do it all. Then sit down again and work out what you can eliminate or reduce - going to the bar (or whatever) once every two months is cheaper than going every week(or night!). House deposit in 4 years instead of three etc - Once you can see what you can achieve, and you are both on board, then it is easy to do. This may take a few talks, so get coffee and cookies and sit in a nice and comfortable room. \nThe idea is to give your spouse something they want, and help them understand in order to get it, they need to save/cut back/stick to budget - whatever term works best - to get it. Where 'it' is something they (and you as a couple) agree is worth saving for.\nGood Luck!
865103
You should have everything in writing clearly stating everything. The rules are up to you. \n\nOvernight guests?\nParking?\nUse of common areas?\npets?\nlate rent?\nreturned check fees?\ncleanliness......the list could go on and on depending on how picky you are.
709776
Dress up.  They probably won't want to rent a nice big house to a bunch of college guys.  My other BIG suggestion is writing up a rental agreement between you and your friends.  In there, you need to have stuff about how you're splitting the bills, what penalties if they're not paid on time. how you're dividing chores, rent, maintenance issues that come up with the house that the landlord won't fix or that you want to fix on your own.  Also, what happens if someone loses their job, etc.  One of my roommates lost his job and was out of work for 2 months.  We had to come up with a bunch of money to cover his share and his lazy butt didn't do any chores around the house while he was out of work, either.  Cover your butt and put everything in writing so nothing comes between friends.  Also, go to an office cupply store and get a receipt book.  Every time a bill is due, write everyone receipts as they pay their share.  This will help avoid confusion as to who paid what and who hasn't paid yet.  This gets really confusing as time goes on.  While inspecting the house, look at the ceilings.  If there are brown discolorations, that means there are plumbing problems causeing leaks.  Look for any cracks in the walls as this indicated foudation problems.  See if any doors won't shut or windows that won't open.  Also, go look at the thermostat.  If the thermostat has to be running at 90 degrees to keep the house at 70 during the winter, your untility bills are going to be HUGE.  If you're in a warm area, switch the scenario with the same result.  Long response, I know, but I hope it helps.
203044
Get a land lords agreement/contract.  Make them fill out a back ground check.  Make them pay First and Last Months rent.
715385
Just be honest with him and tell him that you need his room for the new child, and that you will be happy to help him look for a new place to live. Tell him that you will give him his last month free so he can use that money to help offset the cost of paying rent and probably a security deposit to move to a new place. Perhaps help him try and get into low income housing for senior citizens where he will have security and people closer to his age. If he gets too upset with your suggestion that he needs to move...drop it and tell him he can stay. Then, just work around things til he does pass away. But, don't stress him out too much or you will feel really guilty if anything does happen to him then.
285729
You might check out the Small Business Administrations web page...Good luck and happy renting!
167924
What you need to keep in mind is that moving into someones home especially a womans home that has children is that the children will be affected. You need to be prepared to become a part of their lives, and understand that you will have more than just their mother to consider if you leave. This is a huge step and it is one that the two of you should discuss not only with each other but with the children (if they are old enough) they should have knowledge of this beforehand and some say so in the move. You also need to talk about what role you will be playing in their lives what about discipline...babysitting...bills...ect. Its a lot to think about and something you need to seriously consider before jumping in.
721761
Invite the kids, but put them in a sound proof room with a babysitter while you are saying your vows.  Have a cash bar, but charge 2 bucks a drink : ) You pay the rest
923591
Ask a good friend to babysit for you...in exchange, you could watch her kids when you can, or find another such local babysitting exchange
59265
Are you both moving there without any job offer?  If so, they would probably rent to you with a larger security deposit.  The best thing to do is call around and ask their requirements.  If they hesitate, then tell them you could pay for the first 6 months upfront.