Monday, March 22, 2010

For Rent

Since Jake and I have bought the house, we've decided to do a little bit of shuffling. We decided to make it more of a group decision since we've all lived together for so long. Jake and I did our best to not ruffle any feathers, but we're also trying to figure out how to swing things so we don't have to make any payments out of our own pockets... at all. We want the renters of our newly acquired property to make our mortgage payments for us.

Initially Lance, Nick and Aaron were against it, but we explained to them that if we doubled people up in bedrooms then rented out the downstairs rooms we could afford to do awesome stuff to the house. As soon as we mentioned putting a fountain drink machine in the kitchen and a hot tub in the backyard, Aaron and Lance got a little more excited.

Jake and I got on KSL and bought two sets of bunk beds. We put one set in the big room that Aaron previously had to himself. He was pretty pissed about that, so Jake and I moved into Aaron's room with him so he wouldn't be forced to share a room with strangers. We moved Lance upstairs and put him in his own room since it was a little bit smaller. We told Nick that we would be putting a set of bunk beds into the other upstairs room and he would be sharing with someone. That leaves two vacant rooms downstairs.

I spent the last 45 minutes creating this detailed sketch in Paint to help you all visualize our house. I took painstaking effort to make sure this was exactly to scale... to the millimeter. That way, anyone interested in figuring out who we are can simply track down floor plans for every house in Utah and cross reference it with my super accurate sketch.

If you look carefully at the sketch, you'll see that I've labeled where we will all be sleeping. Do you see an "N" anywhere? Nope you don't. That's cause two days ago Nick told us that he was moving out. We tried to find out exactly why. Jake and I were genuinely concerned that he didn't like his new living arrangements and couldn't be bothered to argue. He told us that he'd felt like he should move back home for a while. Apparently Nick has a lot of debt that he's accrued in the last several months that he's getting pressure to pay off. So Nick decided to move back in with his parents to save some money.

Kinda sad, I know. He didn't give us any notice at all, either. He started packing his stuff up yesterday. I reminded him that we had all paid his portion of the rent for the month of February and then offered to prorate his rent for the month of March so he'd only have to pay for the first half of the month. Nick replied, "Nah. You guys will be making enough on rent from everyone else, you don't need me to pay you." I said, "Um... yes we do, Nick." I tried to explain that we didn't have any renters yet and that I needed him to at least pay us back the money we loaned him in February. He started talking about how we didn't even have to pay our first mortgage payment until April 1st so I shouldn't bug him about a couple hundred measly dollars.

I may have already mentioned in a previous post that I hold grudges. I'm a massive grudge-holder. I'm still pissed at my sister for getting into my bottom desk drawer and eating my Family Mix liquorice when I was in Jr. High School. And my issues with JTM:S is proof enough, right? Even though I hold grudges, I seldom find myself angry. I'm usually able to laugh, mock, deride, or otherwise embarrass my enemies. As a result, I rarely feel enraged. But I found myself getting pissed at Nick. He knows he owes me, Jake and Aaron money, but he refuses to pay it. What the crap?

I debated even telling this story, cause I know that there are a few people who will say "I told you so". Or, "Didn't I warn you that going into business with friends was a bad idea?" or "You totally ignored the advice of dozens of anonymous strangers who comment on your blog and now you will reap the consequences!" or even something like, "Awesome! One less person to interrupt you while you're kissing Jake, cause you're gay and like to be gay and your gayness is so gay it strains the boundaries of gayness in the gay community, you gay person." But, we didn't go into business with Nick. He just happens to be one of our tenants.

Calvin

42 comments:

c a n d a c e said...

Ah Calvin, I love the last paragraph. Nick is in for a big surprise if he ever tries to skip out on rent in future homes... no bueno. I say you list his cell on this blog so he gets a million girls harrassing him ... and maybe a guy or two.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Calvin, you DID go into business with Nick. You own the house, he is the renter. Therefore, he is your customer. He pays you money for a service you provide (ie, a roof over his head).

Here's a tip (from an admittedly anonymous commenter): just because advice comes from anonymous commenters doesn't mean it's wrong.

Also: suck it up princess, welcome to the real world.

Cassie said...

This makes no sense to me how someone can not understand the workings of a loan. Whether you guys need the money or not you loaned him the money with the idea that he would pay you back and he knows this. It's ridiculous. I would be pissed too.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to the world of dealing with tenants. It is not a fun place to be. I believe several people tried to warn you about that as well.

But then again, what do we anonymous commenters know?

KatOfDiamonds said...

You guys need to talk to your lawyer about arranging leases. Then legally it would happen like that.

Laura said...

That really sucks. It would piss me off a lot. It's bad enough living with other renters, who try to get out of paying phone/utilities, but to skip out on rent? Are you kidding me? I'd be furious, too. Admittedly, I'm not very good at holding a grudge, but I think I'd try my best in this case.

Marci Darling said...

bahaha. this is going no where good. I love it.

smart a with a big grudge said...

Didn't I warn you that going into business with friends was a bad idea?

You totally ignored the advice of dozens of anonymous strangers who comment on your blog and now you will reap the consequences!

Awesome! One less person to interrupt you while you're kissing Jake, cause you're gay and like to be gay and your gayness is so gay it strains the boundaries of gayness in the gay community, you gay person.

thanks calvin, you stupid idiot!

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you Calvin. What a wiener! How do you become a millionaire if stupid people dont pay you what they owe you! Lame sauce is all I have to say!

bd said...

This is so funny. You don't have lease agreements with anyone, so they could all stiff you with no consequences. And three people in a bedroom... you've got to be joking, right?

So now you're going to have a dozen guys living in a house with the owners that are their friends. First, they're going to trash the place and you won't be able to do anything about it. Second, they will forever be owing you money from last month that you'll never be able to collect. You two bone heads would do well to back out of the mortgage arrangement and pay all the necessary fees.

Molly said...

Having managed apartments before all I have to say is make sure people sign a lease. Even if they are your friend. Because when money is involved suddenly people feel that they don't owe you, which is dumb.

Also just be prepared to have everything be your fault. Even if it's not they will blame you. Like clogged toilets. We had a tenant complain that his toilet wasn't working, my husband went over and asked if he used the plunger. He said no, and my husband got to plunge a strangers poop. Nice.

You've made a good decision, investing a rental property. But, it does require more work and strain then you might think.

Crystal said...

"Awesome! One less person to interrupt you while you're kissing Jake, cause you're gay and like to be gay and your gayness is so gay it strains the boundaries of gayness in the gay community, you gay person."

That's EXACTLY what I was going to say! Not really, but it's hilarious.

Well, it's lame but people suck sometimes. I wouldn't even hold out hope for that money. He should pay you back but unfortunately he probably won't.

Hope your new plan works out for you and you get some renters in there soon. :)

told you so said...

I just had to laugh at this.

Get used to being pissed because this is just the beginning.

Heather Guymon said...

Dude Nick is a douche bag. He is just doing that because he knows you personally. He would have never done that to the previous owner. Fag. I'd be totally pissed.

Anonymous said...

told ya this would happen FAG!

Betsy said...

It seems like a lot of the Mormons that I know live with a lot of roommates - I don't really know any that live alone. Is that something that the church suggests and emphasizes with members? Or is it just a coincidence among the ones that I know?

Anonymous said...

The whole time I was reading this, the memories of the hand picture kept distracting me...guess I haven't recovered from that yet =)

Dara McFarlane said...

can i move in? i promise to pay my rent and not make out with other men on the couch in front of you guys... too often..

sorry but said...

buying a house and bed together that you plan on sharing = gay!

Rachael said...

It cracks me up how Lance is on the otherside of the house from everyone!

Jessabel said...

Ummmmm.... isn't it weird that you guys are making grown men share rooms and sleep in bunk beds? Who wants to have a living situation like that in your 20's?

Maybe it's because you're all virgins, but that arrangement definitely wouldn't have worked for me when I was in college.

Rachel said...

I'm sorry you spent so much time in paint to do that floor plan. ;) Was the worst I have ever seen. There are easy free programs you can download like google sketchup. You can create your entire house in 3-D...when you do I hope you blog about how it really looks.
But in all seriousness you should be paid that money and that's crap he thinks you shouldn't get it.

Rachel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

That's why you ask for a deposit. Even from friends.

Rissy said...

Within two weeks I have to move out of my parents' house... can my friend Hilary and I have one room?
Oh wait didn't Julie from Real World New Orleans get kicked out of BYU for living with boys? Yep, that's the one mormon pop culture reference I could come up with.

Anonymous said...

did any of you pay deposits to the previous landlord? If so did you get it back from him/her?

way to go jenius said...

so the only plans you have so far are to buy bunk beds, put in a fountain soda machine and buy a hot tub?

instead of making that stupid map of your house you should have spent that time coming up with a lease agreement or some sort of contract for your renters.

Anonymous said...

3 boys in one room? cute.

Anonymous said...

How soon can I move in?

Anonymous said...

Love the sketch btw.

Anonymous said...

*Genius

lol.

Valen Hunter said...

You and Jake should move home so you can make more money renting your spots! I think you will continuously deal with friends who walk all over you if you keep living there and form close relationships with every person that rents. trouble. But hey, what do I know,I don't pay rent either...But my husband can't really kick me out. Even though I'm sure he wants to get rid of muh big ole nose. har har har.

Anonymous said...

i new sum idjiut wood tel me i spelt jenius rong. it wuz a joke.

Anonymous said...

oh dUh. hahahah.

ugh.

WilWheaton said...

I live in a house in the Salt Lake Valley where the two guys that own it live there...

Anonymous said...

You guys don't honestly sell any of those MBP shirts do you? That's got to be a big joke, right?

Anonymous said...

Hey.

I want a shirt.

Anonymous said...

;aslkdjf;lkasjzcx ;dslfj;lklrjaelkj sdlfkjt;ESKJT ;LKSDGJ!!!! A;SLKDJFV REIG?

Anonymous1 said...

The person above has some, ahem, tension they need to release.

Anonymous said...

What ever happened with Mikaela?

Anonymous said...

i love the obvious lack of knowledge you have when it comes to photoshop. NOT.

Fi said...

Wait. Have you guys been found out?

http://mbprevealed.blogspot.com/