Irreconcilable Differences
This is the beginning of the fourth month that I have lived in my first apartment. The apartment is great! So much space for everyone, we have our own washer and dryer, the kitchen is right outside my bedroom. It’s a great place to live…it’s too bad my roommates have ruined it for me.
De and I moved in around May 18th because I was kicked out of the dorm and De’s lease had expired. We split the prorated rent between the two of us. Fi moved in at the beginning of June and signed onto the lease. The leasing office gave us our first month free, so we did not owe rent for the first month!! It was a great beginning and I thought everything was going well. I would quickly realize I was dead wrong.
I am a very responsible person. I like to know that everything is taken care of and finished before I allow myself to have fun and relax. Before we all moved into the apartment, I asked if either of the girls had contacted the electric, gas, or cable companies to set up our utilities. Of course neither of them had done so. I took it upon myself to set up these utilities with the agreement of both roommates. I was going to have electricity and gas connected anyways. The reason we got cable was because we all wanted the cable internet and I wanted some television stations. Comcast was running a special for 6 months of their all-inclusive cable TV package and a 12 month special for their cable internet. I talked to the girls and we all agreed the special would be cheaper than individualizing the services.
As our first bills began to roll in, I divided them by three and posted everybody’s share on our dry erase board. De was pretty good about paying fairly quickly, whereas Fi took a little longer…and more encouragement.
As the month of June was coming to a close, we received the cable bill, gas bill, and rent was due on the first. I wrote the totals on the board and asked for their checks by June 30th. I wanted to make sure that I had the money in my account before I wrote out the checks. De was great and paid before the due date. Fi was a week LATE. I was rather nervous when she didn’t pay on time. What was worse, I went to the bank (she happens to use the same bank as me) and asked the customer service agent if her check had the funds to back it. The lady informed me that the check did NOT have the proper backing but I could still deposit it because Fi has over-draft insurance. I flipped out! I don’t mind taking care of finances as long as I’m reimbursed but I don’t have the money to pay for myself AND my roommates.
I was a bit nervous, perhaps verging on neurotic (just go ask Donny for verification), that I would have to beg for money every single month when the bills and rent were due then worry if the checks were any good. I solaced myself with the idea that they both had just gotten jobs and were getting on top of their finances since graduating. It turns out that I was merely deluding myself. I have this silly habit of always expecting the best out of people.
As the month of July came to a close, we once again received our monthly bills and the rent was due on the first of August (yesterday). I again wrote the amounts due (with total) on the board. I again wrote a deadline date of Friday (July 29th). During that last week of July, we were all informed that there would be a $500 reduction on our rent because Meshe and his roomies told the leasing office that we had recommended the apartment complex to them. Whoo hoo for lower rent payments!! I immediately changed the totals on the board!
After a long day at work and a short happy hour, De and I met up with Fi and made our way home together. Everything seemed great although we were all rather tired. I had literally just made some “poor man’s nachos” (melted cheese on taco chips) and sat down on the futon when De and Fi came out and asked if we could all talk. I didn’t have any reason to say no…so I simply agreed and they sat down.
From this point forward, Fi and I were the only two people engaged in conversation. De simply sat there. Fi began with “we should have sat down and talked about this at the beginning.” I quickly realized that the conversation was going to go badly. It was Fi’s opinion that each person needed to pay a different amount of rent. Her explanation was that she has the smallest room and shares a bathroom with De so she should pay the least. De has the smaller of the two “real” bedrooms and also shares the bathroom and she should stay at the same rent rate (1/3 the total). I have the master bedroom and a bathroom all to myself and, therefore, should pay the most. She (with De’s approval) decided that I should pay 10% more, while she paid the 10% less AND she wanted me to pay back rent for July and begin paying the extra with August.
My immediate mental response was “Hell no!”
They also wanted to talk about the cable bill. They wanted to know the breakdown of the bill as to what was the television versus what was the internet. I told them that I had no idea of the breakdown off the top of my head but reminded them of the specials we signed up for and that we were actually paying a lot less. Fi responded that she never watches the television (which is not true…she has watched it before) and even De spoke three words saying she never watches the television (which is true). It was their opinion that I should pay more on that bill as well since I watch the television AND use the internet.
Once they (Fi) seemed to be finished, I was rather floored but knew that I had to voice a response. I told them that the month of July was almost over. There were only 3 days left in the month and that I was not going to pay back rent. I also told them that we had been splitting everything in regards to the apartment three ways since we moved in and that three days before the next month’s rent was due was not the time to bring up this type of discussion. I did not feel I should have to pay anymore or less than the other two. They were always free to use “my” bathroom and to watch the television. How could I begrudge them either since one is a natural necessity (Annie, when ya gotta go, you gotta go!) and the other was open to all in the family room?
I also expressed my concern that it seemed as though they had made a lot of decisions about the apartment, which affects us all, behind my back. I understand they are best friends but when something concerns all THREE of us, I expect to be included in all discussions.
A flood of emotions ran through my mind after this discussion; mostly shock, confusion, anger, and betrayal. I realized that I could not live there any longer. I was not about to pay more for an apartment that we share equally, nor was I going to live in a place where I would begin to feel as though I needed to walk on eggshells waiting for the next “decision” to be made without me.
The next morning I went to the leasing office to figure out my options. As it turns out, I am able to get out of the lease completely without penalty as long as we all sign a “Roommate Release Form.” The point of the form is to release the vacating roommate (me) from any lease payments or fees after a certain effective date and that I would be giving up any claim to my share of the security deposit. I can easily give up my third of the deposit if it means peace of mind.
I immediately returned to the apartment so I could relay my information and the form to the girls. I told them that I decided I wanted to move out and that I needed them to sign that form. I don’t think they are too bright as a general opinion but Fi surprised me when she said, “They wouldn’t sign it until they found a new roommate.”
You can imagine my disappointment…but there’s more. The next comment out of Fi’s mouth was a possible solution. A mutual friend of Fi and De, Rachel, had recently been complaining of being lonely in her one bedroom apartment. Fi suggested that Rachel would be willing to switch apartment leases with me. This was another signal that there had been a lot of scheming behind my back, which really ticked me off. It’s one thing for the two of them to make “decisions” without me but it is completely different when they begin scheming about me with other people.
I told them I would contact Rachel and look at her apartment and what she was offering. As it turns out, her apartment is really nice. It’s a 770 square foot one bedroom apartment with a balcony. The apartment rent payment includes water, electricity, and gas utilities. Sadly, it does not contain its own washer and dryer but the laundry room is almost literally 6 steps down the hall. Another downside is that the apartment is located diagonally across from the elevators. When I asked Rachel about the noise level, she replied that it was minimal, mostly because small families occupy the other apartments. I considered the ups and downs real fast in my head, along with the thought that Donny could move in unhindered at the beginning of September. I asked her the amount of the rent payment…only $985. For the apartment plus major utilities for less than one thousand dollars, I couldn’t say no. In fact I think I’m getting the better end of the deal.
Rachel and I returned to my apartment, where I called a meeting for all of us. With the “Roommate Release Form” in hand, I told the girls that I was interested in switching out leases with Rachel and that we had agreed on the third weekend of August to move in/out, respectively. I needed them to sign the form in order to get the paper work going at the two leasing offices. They immediately signed the form and I turned it into my leasing office. My main thought, “Praise God!!” Whatever happens now, I am free and clear!
De and I moved in around May 18th because I was kicked out of the dorm and De’s lease had expired. We split the prorated rent between the two of us. Fi moved in at the beginning of June and signed onto the lease. The leasing office gave us our first month free, so we did not owe rent for the first month!! It was a great beginning and I thought everything was going well. I would quickly realize I was dead wrong.
I am a very responsible person. I like to know that everything is taken care of and finished before I allow myself to have fun and relax. Before we all moved into the apartment, I asked if either of the girls had contacted the electric, gas, or cable companies to set up our utilities. Of course neither of them had done so. I took it upon myself to set up these utilities with the agreement of both roommates. I was going to have electricity and gas connected anyways. The reason we got cable was because we all wanted the cable internet and I wanted some television stations. Comcast was running a special for 6 months of their all-inclusive cable TV package and a 12 month special for their cable internet. I talked to the girls and we all agreed the special would be cheaper than individualizing the services.
As our first bills began to roll in, I divided them by three and posted everybody’s share on our dry erase board. De was pretty good about paying fairly quickly, whereas Fi took a little longer…and more encouragement.
As the month of June was coming to a close, we received the cable bill, gas bill, and rent was due on the first. I wrote the totals on the board and asked for their checks by June 30th. I wanted to make sure that I had the money in my account before I wrote out the checks. De was great and paid before the due date. Fi was a week LATE. I was rather nervous when she didn’t pay on time. What was worse, I went to the bank (she happens to use the same bank as me) and asked the customer service agent if her check had the funds to back it. The lady informed me that the check did NOT have the proper backing but I could still deposit it because Fi has over-draft insurance. I flipped out! I don’t mind taking care of finances as long as I’m reimbursed but I don’t have the money to pay for myself AND my roommates.
I was a bit nervous, perhaps verging on neurotic (just go ask Donny for verification), that I would have to beg for money every single month when the bills and rent were due then worry if the checks were any good. I solaced myself with the idea that they both had just gotten jobs and were getting on top of their finances since graduating. It turns out that I was merely deluding myself. I have this silly habit of always expecting the best out of people.
As the month of July came to a close, we once again received our monthly bills and the rent was due on the first of August (yesterday). I again wrote the amounts due (with total) on the board. I again wrote a deadline date of Friday (July 29th). During that last week of July, we were all informed that there would be a $500 reduction on our rent because Meshe and his roomies told the leasing office that we had recommended the apartment complex to them. Whoo hoo for lower rent payments!! I immediately changed the totals on the board!
After a long day at work and a short happy hour, De and I met up with Fi and made our way home together. Everything seemed great although we were all rather tired. I had literally just made some “poor man’s nachos” (melted cheese on taco chips) and sat down on the futon when De and Fi came out and asked if we could all talk. I didn’t have any reason to say no…so I simply agreed and they sat down.
From this point forward, Fi and I were the only two people engaged in conversation. De simply sat there. Fi began with “we should have sat down and talked about this at the beginning.” I quickly realized that the conversation was going to go badly. It was Fi’s opinion that each person needed to pay a different amount of rent. Her explanation was that she has the smallest room and shares a bathroom with De so she should pay the least. De has the smaller of the two “real” bedrooms and also shares the bathroom and she should stay at the same rent rate (1/3 the total). I have the master bedroom and a bathroom all to myself and, therefore, should pay the most. She (with De’s approval) decided that I should pay 10% more, while she paid the 10% less AND she wanted me to pay back rent for July and begin paying the extra with August.
My immediate mental response was “Hell no!”
They also wanted to talk about the cable bill. They wanted to know the breakdown of the bill as to what was the television versus what was the internet. I told them that I had no idea of the breakdown off the top of my head but reminded them of the specials we signed up for and that we were actually paying a lot less. Fi responded that she never watches the television (which is not true…she has watched it before) and even De spoke three words saying she never watches the television (which is true). It was their opinion that I should pay more on that bill as well since I watch the television AND use the internet.
Once they (Fi) seemed to be finished, I was rather floored but knew that I had to voice a response. I told them that the month of July was almost over. There were only 3 days left in the month and that I was not going to pay back rent. I also told them that we had been splitting everything in regards to the apartment three ways since we moved in and that three days before the next month’s rent was due was not the time to bring up this type of discussion. I did not feel I should have to pay anymore or less than the other two. They were always free to use “my” bathroom and to watch the television. How could I begrudge them either since one is a natural necessity (Annie, when ya gotta go, you gotta go!) and the other was open to all in the family room?
I also expressed my concern that it seemed as though they had made a lot of decisions about the apartment, which affects us all, behind my back. I understand they are best friends but when something concerns all THREE of us, I expect to be included in all discussions.
A flood of emotions ran through my mind after this discussion; mostly shock, confusion, anger, and betrayal. I realized that I could not live there any longer. I was not about to pay more for an apartment that we share equally, nor was I going to live in a place where I would begin to feel as though I needed to walk on eggshells waiting for the next “decision” to be made without me.
The next morning I went to the leasing office to figure out my options. As it turns out, I am able to get out of the lease completely without penalty as long as we all sign a “Roommate Release Form.” The point of the form is to release the vacating roommate (me) from any lease payments or fees after a certain effective date and that I would be giving up any claim to my share of the security deposit. I can easily give up my third of the deposit if it means peace of mind.
I immediately returned to the apartment so I could relay my information and the form to the girls. I told them that I decided I wanted to move out and that I needed them to sign that form. I don’t think they are too bright as a general opinion but Fi surprised me when she said, “They wouldn’t sign it until they found a new roommate.”
You can imagine my disappointment…but there’s more. The next comment out of Fi’s mouth was a possible solution. A mutual friend of Fi and De, Rachel, had recently been complaining of being lonely in her one bedroom apartment. Fi suggested that Rachel would be willing to switch apartment leases with me. This was another signal that there had been a lot of scheming behind my back, which really ticked me off. It’s one thing for the two of them to make “decisions” without me but it is completely different when they begin scheming about me with other people.
I told them I would contact Rachel and look at her apartment and what she was offering. As it turns out, her apartment is really nice. It’s a 770 square foot one bedroom apartment with a balcony. The apartment rent payment includes water, electricity, and gas utilities. Sadly, it does not contain its own washer and dryer but the laundry room is almost literally 6 steps down the hall. Another downside is that the apartment is located diagonally across from the elevators. When I asked Rachel about the noise level, she replied that it was minimal, mostly because small families occupy the other apartments. I considered the ups and downs real fast in my head, along with the thought that Donny could move in unhindered at the beginning of September. I asked her the amount of the rent payment…only $985. For the apartment plus major utilities for less than one thousand dollars, I couldn’t say no. In fact I think I’m getting the better end of the deal.
Rachel and I returned to my apartment, where I called a meeting for all of us. With the “Roommate Release Form” in hand, I told the girls that I was interested in switching out leases with Rachel and that we had agreed on the third weekend of August to move in/out, respectively. I needed them to sign the form in order to get the paper work going at the two leasing offices. They immediately signed the form and I turned it into my leasing office. My main thought, “Praise God!!” Whatever happens now, I am free and clear!