Roommate issue

[TechBoyJK]

My step brother's wife's mom owns a duplex, and she's rents one side to me.

I have a roommate, who is a good friend that I've known for about 10 years. Dude's gone out of his way for me many times.

Our deal was that he'd get the 2nd bedroom and pay a flat rent of $375. It's the smaller bedroom. I got the master bedroom, and pretty much furnished most of the house. I also got the garage (one car).

He's got a nice custom truck (maybe worth $8k). Nothing too special, but it's a big deal for him. He was freaked out about having his truck sit in the sun through the summer, so offered to pay $450 a month if he got the garage.

I probably make at least double what he does. I think he gets about $11 an hour. So he's been struggling to pay rent on time. He usually gets paid up soon after its due, but I've been having to float his share for a few weeks at a time. Over the past 3 months, he's only paid $1150, so he technically still owes me $150. I asked him for it, and he basically said he's broke, he can't afford to pay it and pay me rent, and said he'll pull his truck out of the garage and go back to normal rent if I insist. He basically said the extra $75 a month was a ripoff for the garage, so no matter what he's not going to pay the full amount because he's going to starve otherwise. I'm contesting that I wouldn't have given up the garage (I have a brand new car that I'd like to park in there) if he wouldn't have offered the $75 a month for it, so if doesn't want to pay I have no choice but to feel like he basically tricked me.

He's saying he didn't do it intentionally but the bottomline is he can't afford to pay it.

Should I be firm and hold him to it? I know the $150 is a bigger deal to him than it is me, but I could still use that money. I already basically told him I'm going to have to think twice anytime he wants to make a deal with me again because he's got a history of saying he'll pay for something and then refusing too because "he thought it wasn't a good deal".

He otherwise pays rent without question and he's never shafted me over on money before in the 10+ years I've known him.

Cliffs: Roommate offers to pay extra $75 per month to use garage, forcing me to park in street. After 3 months, roommate is caught up on rent minus the $75 for each month and said he's going to give me the garage back, but he can't/won't pay the difference. He's actually paid about $20 more in rent each month, but not the full $75.

Should I just let it go? I know he can't afford it right now, and I'm not going to starve if he doesn't pay. He's pretty handy so I'm tempted to just let it go, but then hold it over his head anytime I need help with something.

 

[dougp]

Don't be a dick - let it slide and go back to parking in the garage. You've never had an issue in the past, so just move on.

This is also another shining example of why you don't room with friends except in dire emergencies.

 

[Rastus]

If he's been honest and is a good friend, cut him some slack on the $75 for the garage, but don't let it go too far. Sometimes you gotta have faith in people.

 

[D1gger]

Let it go, but don't fall for it again.

 

[rasczak]

He's your friend. Friends and money do not mix. I would just let it go since he's had your back so many times before. However, it does appear he cannot afford the garage, so take that out and have him pay the lower rent.

 

[Rumpltzer]

His truck is immediately back on the street. The $150 is there, but not mentioned. If he pays it, he pays it. If he doesn't, he doesn't. It gets added to deducted from his credibility one way or another.

 

[mvbighead]

This is why friendships always get in trouble when finances are involved.

I'd say let him go down to the other rent, and get the garage space back. If you have a new(er) car, I'd guess it is valued at more than $10k. So while your car is facing the elements, it is, by some small margin, deteriorating. If he can't pay what was agreed upon, just tell him that you can switch it back, and you take the space.

No need to try to determine if the space is or isn't worth it to him. At the end of it, one of you will be paying $75 more than other, so someone is going to pay for the garage space. If he agreed initially, and is not paying, then take the space back and let him return to the usual rent amount. Seems fair enough to me.

 

[Ns1]

I would let it slide once due to this, but never again.

Dude's gone out of his way for me many times.

 

[Ghiedo27]

Maybe he just didn't realize how much he'd miss having the money and felt cheated when he found out what it really costs him. Assuming your car is still in good shape (so there isn't a cost hanging over your head from having it outside) I'd consider telling him to not worry about the $150 and just go back to you parking in the garage.

Keep the good will and let him get out of being behind on money. I'm assuming your friend being able to eat and pay bills on time is more important to you than what you could use the money for, though. And of coarse, talk things out a lot more next time he wants to make a deal about paying for something.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Ignore the missing $150.

He can not afford the garage; therefore you put your vehicle in it.

No need to bring up the $150; it is not something that you spent on and need back.

 

[Ns1]

Man, ATOT is a bunch of softies today.

 

[leper84]

So he bit off more than he can chew, take the garage back and forget the difference he owes you. If he's been a good friend for 10 years don't piss it away over what, $150 that you were gonna pay anyways before he even asked about the garage?

I wouldn't make it a big deal either, it sucks to be poor and paycheck to paycheck and admitting you can't live up to something is enough of a kick in the balls anyways.

Help your friend out, be the bigger man and as long as stuff like this doesn't turn into a trend, no big deal.

 

[chin311]

Personally I wouldn't have given up the garage in the first place if you have a brand new car...but otherwise,

Take the garage back (obviously)
make him pay the money back 15$ extra a month or something, he wanted the deal and he got it, so now time to pay up.
If you are buds then I can see letting it slide and just taking the garage back over.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Not worth ruining a friendship with your roommate and friend over $150. But do take the garage back.

 

[OCGuy]

You should probably send him a picture of your genetalia, just to be safe.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Take the garage back, and let it slide. I wouldn't let $150 ruin a good friendship. Especially if he is otherwise an ideal roommate.

 

[MontyAC]

Have him buy you lunch and call it even.

 

[God Mode]

Tell him to sell his booty on the corner or else get smacked up.

 

[CraigRT]

I'd probably let it slide too, but possibly bring it up down the road if shit goes south, in other words, don't be scared to hold it over his head. He defaulted on his word, although you can forgive, you don't have to forget. Maybe if he fucks up in the future and you're in that kind of mood you can ask him to pay again at that point.

 

[OCGuy]

Fart on his pillow.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

It's messed up but if he seriously can't pay for it then I'd let it slide. He might even feel pretty bad about it. If he's obviously wasting his cash on bs though I'd drop him as a friend if he's not going to pay you back.

 

[DigDog]

If he's been honest and is a good friend, cut him some slack on the $75 for the garage, but don't let it go too far. Sometimes you gotta have faith in people.

+1 to this

 

[zinfamous]

This is also another shining example of why you don't room with friends except in dire emergencies.

This! 1 million times this! Nothing wrecks a friendship faster than living with one.

 

[TheNinja]

He's living outside of his means. If he doesn't have $150 in the bank and says he'll starve if he has to pay it, he shouldn't have a $8k custom truck. What if something comes up and he can't pay a repair or a medical bill on time? Are you going to have to float his rent until he can pay you?

Let the $150 go but be careful.

WTF is wrong with people living paycheck to paycheck with nothing left in their bank by end of month. I'm betting he wastes $150 a month on pointless crap. People should take care of business first, then buy extra stuff.

 

[Hezkezl]

Don't be a dick. Sounds like the guy overestimated his ability to survive on the money he makes, so be nice and don't hold a grudge over this. You were the one that agreed to it in the first place afterall. You could've said No to him offering the extra $ per month on it. It's not like you had a contract or lease signed specifying that he gets the garage at an extra $75/month.