edit: OK, I think this blog post that /u/NebLem linked decides it. Hard line at “not a rooming house” but I don’t want you to sleep outside tonight.
ORIGINAL:
I remember when I was a kid and on hard times I was taken in by a friend and his dad. It saved me from being on the streets. This sort of situation seems to be developing now that I’m middle aged and my young adult children have friends with less than stable home lives. All these kids are LGBTQ or adjacent, some have diagnosed mental illness.
I want to help, but man… what happens if it goes sideways? I would hate to throw someone out if personal problems got too much. We have the space and these kids are over here all the time anyway, they just don’t have a room and don’t pay anything. Made some pretty kickass food last night though. Money is starting to get pretty tight what with food prices increasing, my insurance just went up, yadda yadda. I was thinking something like $500/mo since I’m already paying for everything, this money would of course help. Seems like two, maybe three kids need shelter.
To be clear, it isn’t imminent but probably by October. So let’s see what Lemmy thinks I should do:
1: No, we will not run a rooming house.
2: Yes, but. You don’t have to pay money and are still a house guest. Please continue to pick up after yourself and buy food when you can.
3: Yes, I will create a few private areas in my basement and you pay me rent. We will be roommates but it’s still my and my wife’s house.
edit: looks like I would definitely need a formal lease as soon as someone brings a suitcase in for more than a night.
Colorado: Guests become tenants after staying for over 14 days within six months
sounds like I already have a couple tenants.
It’s kind of a housing trolley problem. Once the person has worn out their welcome will you have the ability to put your foot down? Because doing so will feel like you are the one putting them out on the street. Some may even call you an enabler.
I am generally in favor of giving people a chance to do the right thing, but this is one of those classic situations where it almost seems like there is no positive outcome possible. Even if they get back on their feet with your help, at what point can you say “hey sorry, but you are doing so well I’m going to make you go spend three as much on on your own housing.” That’s honestly the best outcome and it’s still kind of a shitty situation you probably won’t feel good about. Worst case scenario, the relationship devolves and the person vandalizes your property and your insurance won’t cover intentional damage.