Roommate Mistake
Date: Wed, 01/03/2007 - 10:35
Then Erica happened. We moved into an apartment in Ann Arbor and were doing great until I realized that mine was the only name on our lease. She insisted that she pay the cable bill and I pay electric, gas, and water. She loved to have every light on and take 30 minute long showers twice a day. The dishwasher was run as soon as she had a day's worth of dishes in it- not enough to even fill the bottom rack. This caused my portion of the bills to skyrocket while hers remained steady. I wanted to split the cost of all the bills, as it should be, and she said it was better her way.
I had a cell phone that I had to have shut off because I had to cover the bills she would not pay plus my half of the rent. Her parents paid her rent up front so the only bills she had were the cable and her Victoria's Secret credit card. I also ended up cancelling my credit card becuase I couldn't keep up with the bills I put on it.
She moved out in May, 3 months before our lease was up. The complex could not do anything about this because of her name not being on the lease. I got stuck paying ALL of the bills. I tried add in the paper and asking around, but no one was looking to share an apartment at that time. My parents co-signed for us to get that place, and if I don't get my debts cleaned up quick, my dad will find out that his daughter let him down. It's a mess.
I am in an apartment now with great roommates who can pay bills on time and share the cost of living, so I am slowly building credit here, but I need to repair the mess I got myself in when I chose the wrong roommate. I can't keep up with all the bills on a college student's sallary. I can't drop out of college to pay my bills either. It's a vicious circle that is stressful to resolve. The problem is that every one I've gone to for help (even those who claim to help no matter what the situation) have told me they can't help me consolidate debts or clean up my credit because my credit is not good enough. I thought that was the whole idea in coming to places like that for help? I guess I was wrong, and now I am stuck not even being able to get my own place or a credit card.
Sometimes, these things often happen in a young age. As we grow,
Sometimes, these things often happen in a young age. As we grow, we become more matured and learn from our past mistakes.
Talk with your girlfriend about this matter. You both need to reach a mutual understanding and divide the debts into equal halves. You cannot exhaust the cable charges even if you want. But she was clever enough to use the electricity excessively. Moreover, she kept the easy bill in her pocket.
Roommate situations are always risky. Even if you have everyone
Roommate situations are always risky. Even if you have everyones name on the lease. My current situation (oh, and I'm in Ann Arbor too), is somewhat similar. My friend lost his job, and kept it a secret. He assumed that because we both had jobs, and one was in school getting loan checks, that he could just skate by. This happened twice, by the way. Once with our summer-sublet, and once with our fall-winter lease.
Always get stuff in writing. And always make sure shared items such as utilities are split equally. And never live with strangers...unless it's one of the co-ops.
Eventually, you'll be able to regain control of your credit situation. How high was your credit card? Was debt consolidation something you were considering?
Regards
Mike
Oh I feel for you!! I was in a really bad situation 10 years
Oh I feel for you!!
I was in a really bad situation 10 years ago. My roomate and I split the bills evenly..The phone was in my name, electric in hers. When the bills came we told each other what we owed and payed up..It was perfect. Until one day she left the electric bill laying around and I saw that she was charging me the ENTIRE amount every month..and only making the minimum payment! She was pocketing the rest of my money. That was a fight. let me tell you.
I'm glad you're in better shape now.
