Anyone have experience with Craigslist room mates?

I need a room mate since the wife moved out. Rents pretty hefty.

I was thinking about putting something up on CL but I'm on the fence about it. The safe not being anchored is one of the bigger things I'm worried about.

If you have experience with this, please enlighten me.

What kind of background check did you do? Did you meet them for coffee or something a long those lines first.

I'm pretty picky and I feel a lot of people looking for a place may not fall in that criteria but I'm trying not to be judgmental just because it's Craigslist.

I've fished out most everyone I know to see if they know anyone and I'm running dry on peoples.

Advice, ideas, insight?

Damn, if you lived closer to the metro area, I would put my resume in.

Sorry man.

I wouldn't use Craigslist, I'd use one of the many Roommate services out there (even if you have to pay a few bucks).

Here's one http://www.roomiematch.com/colorado-...-roommate.html don't know anything about this specific service but they claim they weed out the bad ones for you. Might check some others (I just googled "Roommate Service Colorado Springs")

Pretty much 3/3 have been losers and 2 of those disastrous ones.
All of them from meeting and talking seemed nice and stable. One fell apart in a month, one in 3 months, and the 3rd coasted for close to a year and a minor mooch before moving back home with daddy.


Some tips, (that I didnt follow well) would be looking for steady employment for at least 6 months to a year. Verify this with the employer.

Call it classist, but I firmly believe from my experience that once you get under a certain threshold on rent $ you start to attract a different class of people. (Poor college kids seem to end up messy/unstable income and all the usual stereotypes, an 30+ yr old adult who can only afford a $350 rent and has trouble coming up with the deposit also a bad sign of someone who just struggles financially possibly w/ other problems.)

I don't know what kind of place you have, but minimum $500 with a deposit the same or close to. I think is good and still is cheaper than most apartments that run 700+.

Look online may help, but get a strong lease/sublease agreement. Last thing you want is to say no smoking, have a smoker. If it's not on lease, difficult to kick them out for it. Starting with a shorter term lease is good to as you can choose to not re-lease.

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Originally Posted by Zundfolge

I wouldn't use Craigslist, I'd use one of the many Roommate services out there (even if you have to pay a few bucks).

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+1 Sound advice!!!!!!!!!!

Use a roommate service and Id stay as far away from CL as possible when looking for a roommate.

Put the add on here too. Id trust folks on here 1,000,000 faster then anyone on CL.

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Originally Posted by fitz19d

Call it classist, but I firmly believe from my experience that once you get under a certain threshold on rent $ you start to attract a different class of people.

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You are not incorrect with the threshold for monthly rent. The lower it is the lesser character the the renter will have.
Id keep rent at a minimium of $500 or higher regardless of the total price.
Id also figure out a way to mount the safe and just patch it up good when you move out.

Personally, I can't list free stuff on Craigslist without dealing with a hundred freaks and flakes, I wouldn't do it.

Thanks fitz19d, very good info there.

Valid point on the rent as well. My base rent comes out to $875 a month on a two bedroom, one bath (two sinks), 932sgft, gated community with a pool, hot tub, red box, tiny fitness center, and computer room.

I was considering a bit under 50% base rent as they would get under 50% of the place. I pay extra to have my dog and garage so I wasn't going to factor that in. I was going to lean on $400 and then half the internet bill which would bring it to an even $450.

Zundfolge, thanks for that idea. I hadn't even thought of anything other than CL.

I feel that seeing 2-3 other folks saying "don't use Craigslist" solidifies my initial hesitance to avoid it.

I tried it once and holy crap i decided to move to a cheaper place. They either didnt speake english but werent mexican or were perolies. No thanks man.

I would put it at $600 and just say that includes utilities etc. unless there is some other large fees out there that you have to deal with.

definitely do some kind of a background check and employment verification plus a deposit. Not sure what you are planning to do as far as having them cosign on the lease or if you are going to sublease it to them (your ass is in hot water if they screw the place up since the lease is in your name).

lots of paperwork, giving you authority to kick them out short notice for not paying, they have to give a months notice if they want out, 3 months if they want their deposit back...think of all the different ways to protect yourself.

It's pretty much always a nightmare.

I always seem to find people that can't clean up after themselves.

Current roommate is now having second thoughts about leaving his girlfriend whom he used to live with. He wants to bail out and move back with her. Well geez bro you should have thought of that before you signed a 6 month lease.

Some good advice popping up in here. Thanks guys and please keep it coming.

I'm looking at a bunch of generic lease agreements right now to build one that I feel would be suitable enough.

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Originally Posted by DD977GM2

Put the add on here too. Id trust folks on here 1,000,000 faster then anyone on CL.

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This is a good idea. I may just do that once I get all the fine details figured out.

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Originally Posted by sniper7

I would put it at $600 and just say that includes utilities etc. unless there is some other large fees out there that you have to deal with.

definitely do some kind of a background check and employment verification plus a deposit. Not sure what you are planning to do as far as having them cosign on the lease or if you are going to sublease it to them (your ass is in hot water if they screw the place up since the lease is in your name).

lots of paperwork, giving you authority to kick them out short notice for not paying, they have to give a months notice if they want out, 3 months if they want their deposit back...think of all the different ways to protect yourself.

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I did decide to increase the rent price up. That's a good point. I can afford the place how things are now, it just blows. I'm not the one looking for a roof, they are.

Background check and employment verification are a must. I need to do more research into what would be an appropriate deposit though.

So the hand cuffs hanging off every door to alert me when the door moves, or the random household objects that I've placed and identified as good bludgeoning weapons aren't enough?

You could put flyers around some of those Marriott extended stay hotels. Those are usually full of people who have transferred here for a job. They'd probably bail as soon as they found a place of their own, but are likely to be gainfully employed.

Don/t forget damage deposit AND rethink utilities as they might be an electricity hog. We had some friends from out of state here for 2 weeks. Since we worked and not home during the day, imagine our surprise when the electric bill was $200 more than usual. Turns out they kept the room ac on ALL DAY even when not there!!
Also include some cash your end for cleaning the bathroom OR have that written in to the lease. Even the hottest, knock out lady is a fukin pig when it comes to the bathroom. They miss any payments start eviction asap or you'll be ass deep in unpaid bills, before they are finally out the door
YMMV

This guy looks good. Too bad he's moving to San Fran.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...549849730.html

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Konichiwa bitches. Are you looking for the most kick-ass fucking roommate that ever lived? If so, look no further. You fucking found him. I'm a 25-year-old professional marketing agent with experience at bad-ass companies in New York Fucking City. That's right! What you know about experience? I graduated from Auburn University in Alabama, and moved to NYC at the ripe, tender age of 22. After deciding that New York was a stinky shit-hole, I moved back to Alabama to cultivate more professional experience. Why? So I can make millions of dollars and not have to post shit like this on Craigslist.

Anyway, so I landed this job with a marketing firm in San Francisco, and I have no fucking clue where to live. Honestly, I'm moving there in 3 weeks, so I don't give a shit if I have to sleep in your bathtub.

A bit about me: I'm respectful, quiet, clean and I won't bother any of your shit. If you leave shit out, I'm just like, "Oh fuck I better not mess with this shit, because it's not mine." I turn off lights. I clean toilets. Fuck it. I'll even cook for you. That's right! My dad is a chef and taught me everything there is to know about cooking southern cajun cuisine. I'll fry green tomatoes, cover them with marinated crab meat and smother that shit in bearnaise. EVERY. GODDAMN. NIGHT. Don't eat meat? That's fucking FANTASTIC! I'll make a zucchini and yellow squash carpaccio that will knock your fucking socks off.

I also read a lot. I fucking LOVE books. Vonnegut, Palahniuk, Hawthorne. All that shit. I read Tuesdays with Morrie the other day. It's a sad story, but I learned something about life, love, knowledge and the pursuit of something greater than myself. Fucking smart. Do you like movies? I fucking love them. We can watch the shit out of some movies together if you like, or go get drinks, or work out, hike, play video games or play a game of one-on-one basketball, or I don't have to talk to you at all. It's completely UP TO YOU!

Sometimes I play guitar. Are you going to love getting baked and listening to Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd? LIVE? WHENEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT? Of course you are! I'll take requests and learn any song you like, because I have the voice of an angel and the acoustical stylings of James Fucking Taylor. AWWWWWW SHIT YEA!

A lot of people ask me, "Hey, you're from Alabama. Are you racist?" And, the answer to that question is, no. I'm not racist or judgmental at all. I love everyone. I'm a secular humanist. I FUCKING LOVE PEOPLE. That's the only requirement to being a secular humanist actually. You have to like other human beings and want to help them for no other reason than they are human regardless of race, religion or sexual preference. WTF?!!!? Pretty fucking cool right?

I own almost nothing! I'm driving my car from Alabama to California in which I'll be transporting two duffelbags of clothes, one laptop computer, one guitar, one cell-phone with charger, 8 pairs of shoes, one picture frame, probably some condoms and a shitload of beef jerky and Pringles for the trip. Though, you can expect the jerky to be gone upon my arrival. Unless you'd like me to pick up some on my way into the city. See?! I'm the most considerate person you've ever met. I'm offering to buy you shit already!

Am I interested in your pad? You can bet my nomadic ass I am! I only require 4 walls, a ceiling and a floor to shelter me from the elements. Other than that, anything else will be considered a convenient plus. I'm taking being a roommate to the next level. Email me! I'll hook yo ass up with Facebook links, background checks, credit reports, phone numbers, resumes, references, awards, sexual history, pictures of karate trophies and a list of the top 10 women I'd like to bang before I die. If you want a next-generation roommate who consistently blows your fucking mind with awesomeness, then hit me up. I'm ready to give you money.

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Originally Posted by jim

Don/t forget damage deposit AND rethink utilities as they might be an electricity hog. We had some friends from out of state here for 2 weeks. Since we worked and not home during the day, imagine our surprise when the electric bill was $200 more than usual. Turns out they kept the room ac on ALL DAY even when not there!!
Also include some cash your end for cleaning the bathroom OR have that written in to the lease. Even the hottest, knock out lady is a fukin pig when it comes to the bathroom. They miss any payments start eviction asap or you'll be ass deep in unpaid bills, before they are finally out the door
YMMV

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I was going to come in here this morning about having set guidelines on the bathroom and its cleanliness.
I had always been fortunate with roommates. We cleaned the bathroom 2 times a week.
Monday night and Thursday. One would do one week then off the enxt for cleaning duties.
Worked out pretty well and made life a bit easier.

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Originally Posted by bryjcom

This guy looks good. Too bad he's moving to San Fran.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...549849730.html

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That is flipping fantastic add. I almost wanna move to SF and be that person's roommate. I want some damn cajun cuisine cooked for me every flipping night HAHAHAHHA[ROFL1][ROFL2][ROFL3][LOL]

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Originally Posted by El Caballo Loco

I need to do more research into what would be an appropriate deposit though.

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I don't know what the law is here in CO but in most states you cannot require a deposit that is more than one month's rent. And you have to be very specific as to what would cause you to keep the deposit when they leave.

http://www.empireonline.com/images/f...s/photos/5.jpg

'nuff said... [ROFL1]

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Originally Posted by Zundfolge

I don't know what the law is here in CO but in most states you cannot require a deposit that is more than one month's rent. And you have to be very specific as to what would cause you to keep the deposit when they leave.

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Month advance and up to 1 month cost for a damage deposit.

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Originally Posted by bryjcom

This guy looks good. Too bad he's moving to San Fran.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...549849730.html

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Seems like a legit, awesome roommate!

My brother and I are buying a house in August and we're planning on getting a 3br, 2bath house- that way we can take on a roommate if need be to split things 3-ways... I'd say try your friends first if any of them need a place, that's what we're planning... Good luck!

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Originally Posted by El Caballo Loco

Sorry man.

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rockymountianrifleman (member on here) is looking for a roomate he is an airforce mp and a stand up dude for sure [Beer]

where in the hell were you in February when I was Commuting from Northglenn to COS everyday?

[Eek3]





Seriously, sorry to hear about the domestic and financial thing.

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Originally Posted by jim

Month advance and up to 1 month cost for a damage deposit.

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Noted....thanks.

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Originally Posted by TFOGGER

'nuff said... [ROFL1]

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Don't put pictures of me up trying to scare away potential roomies!

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Originally Posted by cofi

rockymountianrifleman (member on here) is looking for a roomate he is an airforce mp and a stand up dude for sure [Beer]

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Well, being an MP and all, he's already got one slash against him. Thanks though. It's going to be a week or two before I get all my ducks in a row and then I'll hit him up. I don't want to give anyone false hopes if something happens on my end or my face gets eaten off or some shit like that.

All depends on how good looking she is! Might even be able to work out something on that rent too. [ROFL1]

However, be careful. I've had the same roomie for close to 40 years now and they can be impossible to get rid of.

To bad i feel uncomfortable around you after you made that move on me :)

Room mates, ugh! Just the thought of it makes me sick [Puke]......I'd rather live in a cave than with a stranger. I lost my patience for that back in the Nixon Administration.

Gunner, it was dark, I thought you were your girl. I didn't feel anything that would give away you not being a woman.

Post up at the local college.

I had a hard time enough time with my friends being roommates, I can't imagine finding some stranger on Craig's List. Good luck though.

Financially I wish I could tolerate to rent out the spare room in my house, mentally I can't do it. There's no way in hell I could tolerate living with someone else at this point. I've lived alone going on 12 years straight and just the stupid little things drive me batshit crazy.

i have had like 9 craigslist arranged roommates. every time is a disaster. steer clear of that garbage man. ppl are so different now a days your bound to find a freak that will come out of his shell after 2 weeks