Just bought a house, potential boarder to move in before us?

Gold Member Joined: Dec 24 2009 Posts: 2433

So BARUCH HASHEM we just closed on a house last week. It's in almost turn key condition. We need to do some minimal work in order to move in - we could basically move in now but the shower heads are not working in either of our bathrooms.

We were planning on taking a boarder in June, someone we know who is finishing up Stern and is planning on working while she applies to grad programs. We figured this would give us enough time to settle in, unpack, deal with what ever the issues are that crop up with the house.

HOWEVER, a young woman we know (28), who recently got engaged is suddenly in the need for a place to live. Basically she told her apt mate that she was engaged and getting married in June and the aptmate flipped out and said she was going to start showing the bedroom immediately. The Kallah is actually a little concerned for her own personal safety at this point - she says the aptmate is screaming at her at every opportunity. Basically she needs to move NOW.

While ideally, the kallah could go into the apt she will be living in after marriage, they've already signed a lease for a place their friends are currently renting, and the friends are not leaving until June 1. So that's not a solution.

The kallah was ALREADY planning on moving in with us for Pesach, to get a sense of how to really make Lubavitch Pesach.

So we offered that she could board by us in our new house for the rock bottom price of $300/month. She'll have her own room, share a bathroom with my girls, and she'll have some privacy and sanity. This money will help us while we do the renovations, and at such a low price, it's really hachnosis kallah also. I also know that since she's getting married if things don't work out personality wise it's not a long term situation.

We are not planning on moving in until 3/15. She might need to move in as early as 3/1.

I can see the plusses and minuses of her living there (The house is not sitting empty, she is another pair of eyes, she will have to live there while we do some minimal work on the house, she's there in our house and can do what she likes, etc).

I'm curious to hear what the hive mind thinks of this.
_________________
I'm a post-modern liberal yekke quasi-Chardal Lubavitch baal teshuva trapped inside the body of pale fat Jewish lady with no neck. Very Happy

Gold Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Posts: 1495

I see they pluses of her moving in. But I would verify what happened with her apartment rate? It seems weird that the apartment mate would freak out that she got engaged. How well do you know ths girl ?

Gold Member Joined: Dec 24 2009 Posts: 2433

Gold Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Posts: 1495

You know her well enough so let her move in with you Smile

is she a new BT ? Why does she have to learn about a Lubavitcher pesach?

Gold Member Joined: Dec 24 2009 Posts: 2433

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 3580

Mazel Tov on the house.

Will workmen be coming in while she is there alone? Will she be comfortable with that? Will you/DH be popping in on an irregular basis during those 2 weeks?

I think it's OK.

Gold Member Joined: Dec 24 2009 Posts: 2433

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 17 2011 Posts: 5922

Mazol Tov. It sounds like you decided the Kallah can stay. The story of her roommate also sounds very strange to me. It sounds implausible; and there is much more to the story. A antisocial roommate freaking out simply because her roommate got engaged to the point that the non-antisocial roommate fears for her personal safety sounds phoney.

What did you have in mind for the agreement? I think the issues are more than she will pay you ontime. I think on another thread you mentioned you entertain frequently. Maybe a strange young lady living for months in your private space won't bother you. My experience is people who have strange reacting people around them cause these strange reactions in others. Hatzloucha.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Posts: 1495

You can out together a lease document so that everyone knows what the expectations are. Since she is "sharing " your house how will you deal with things like food, chores, shower time, etc?

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8512

Also, this is terrible to think about but add a move out date and/or change the rate of renting once her wedding comes around. IOW, what if the wedding is called off CH"V? The week before a wedding we received an announcement that the wedding was off. It's terrible (IMO better than starting a bad marriage) but they then need a place to live. The kallah I know had already given up her apt. and rented the new one for her to be dh that never was. Cover yourself.
_________________
Just Plain Frum!

Silver Member Joined: Oct 11 2011 Posts: 591

I think as long as you set rules and expectations, sign some sort of contract and are not totally completely absent from the situation, there isn't a problem.

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 22 2008 Posts: 6418

congrats on buying a house.

Gold Member Joined: Dec 24 2009 Posts: 2433

Thanks all for all the good points. I appreciate it! And thanks for the congratulations!

I think its going to work out fine. I don't know her well but she seems really sweet.
_________________
Boy 10, Boy 8, Girl 7, Boy 5, Boy 3, Boy 15 months

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 11 2004 Posts: 19241

I don't see why it would be a problem if you know her and you trust her.
_________________
The Chanukah licht transcends all.